Balloon Valvuloplasty 
A procedure used to open a narrowed valve. A catheter with a balloon on its tip is inserted into a narrowed blood vessel (pulmonary artery or aorta) near the valve. The balloon is inflated causing the narrowed area to become wider.

Brachytherapy 
A procedure used to treat coronary arteries that clog due to scar tissue formation within a previously placed coronary stent (in-stent restenosis). During the procedure, radiation is  temporarily placed within the stented portion of the coronary artery to interrupt the regrowth of scar tissue. 

Cardioversion
A procedure used to treat a rapid or irregular heart rhythm. A small electric shock is given to the heart muscle in attempt to restore normal rhythm. This is done under sedation.

Catheter Ablation
A procedure that destroys (ablates) parts of the abnormal electrical pathway of the heart that is causing an abnormal heart rhythm.

Coil Embolization
A procedure used to close an unwanted blood vessel or pathway. A tiny metal coil if placed inside the unwanted blood vessel causing it to close off.

Congenital Anomaly Stenting
A procedure used to open a blood vessel that has been abnormal since birth. A small wire mesh tube is placed in an artery to form a rigid support and help keep the vessel open.

Coronary Angioplasty
(See also PTCA or Also called PTCA - Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty) A procedure used to dilate (widen) narrowed arteries. A catheter with a deflated balloon on its tip is passed into the narrowed artery. The balloon is inflated and the narrowed artery is widened. The balloon is then deflated and removed. (Also called PTCA - Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty)

Coronary Stenting
A procedure used to help keep narrowed arteries open. A small wire mesh tube is placed in an artery to form a rigid support and to hold the artery open after angioplasty. This stent becomes a permanent part of the artery and does not move after it is in place.

Directional Coronary Atherectomy
A procedure to remove the material (plaque) causing a narrowing in the coronary artery which decreases blood flow to the heart muscle. A special catheter is used to shave and remove the plaque in a coronary artery.

Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD)
A device consisting of a battery and leads that is placed inside the body to monitor the heart rhythm and treat serious abnormal rhythms. It may treat the abnormal rhythm in several different ways depending on how the cardiologist programs it. It may deliver electrical impulses to stimulate or pace the heart or it may deliver a sudden burst of energy to shock the heart out of an abnormal rhythm.

Intra-Aortic Balloon Insertion
A catheter with a large balloon on the end is inserted in the groin and guided into the aorta ( the main large artery of the body). It is used to support the heart and provide extra blood supply to the coronary arteries.

Pacemaker
An artificial device used to stimulate and regulate the heartbeat. It consists of a generator (battery) and leads (wires). The wires are placed inside the heart. With a temporary pacemaker, the generator is outside the body and used for emergency or temporary use. With a permanent pacemaker, the generator and leads are implanted inside the body.

Pericardiocentesis
A small needle is inserted under local anesthesia into the sac around the heart muscle to sample or drain fluid.

Rotational Coronary Atherectomy
(Also called Rotablator) A procedure to open narrowed arteries. A Rotablador is a high-speed spinning device that removes the material (plaque) blocking an artery in order to improve blood supply to the heart muscle.

Transluminal Extraction Catheterization
A procedure where a catheter is inserted through a blood vessel in the groin and guided to the heart. The catheter is placed inside a coronary artery that has a blood clot. The catheter then removes or extracts the blood clot.