Cardiac Catheterization — Bayshore's state-of-the-art, low-risk cardiac catheterization laboratory was created in response to a pilot program established by the New Jersey Health Commissioner. This cardiac diagnostic procedure once was limited to only a small number of New Jersey hospitals. Now, Monmouth County residents no longer will need to leave the area for this comprehensive cardiac service.

The new system integrates fiber-optic networking and X-ray dose management technology in a system that dramatically increases the simplicity, speed and safety of cardiac procedures. The new fiber-optic network enables the system to react instantly to physician commands at the touch of a button, while the X-ray dose management technology minimizes dose, for both the patient and the operator, without sacrificing image quality.

Bayshore's lab is one of only a few in the country engineered to adapt to both radiology and cardiology procedures. This system is as sophisticated as labs equipped to perform detailed e-vascularization work.

Cardiac catheterization is a same-day procedure and, in combination with a detailed patient history, helps to diagnose the condition of the coronary arteries, the severity of the blockage and the number of vessels occluded. The procedure allows the physician to determine the size of the patient's heart, the motion and thickness of the heart walls and valve function. Cardiologists also use cardiac catheterization to measure the blood pressure in the heart's chambers and determine cardiac output (the amount of blood pumped by the heart).

This delicate procedure involves threading a thin, plastic tube into the vessels of the heart, injecting dye and taking an X-ray or angiogram to determine if there is an obstruction. When serious blockages are found, patients often undergo angioplasty, which uses a tiny balloon to clear the arteries, or more complicated bypass operations, which attempt to improve blood flow.

Digital Subtraction Angiography — Digital Subtraction Angiography is performed in the suite using a separate C-Arm. DSA will allow radiologists to diagnose and treat vascular disease, as well as noncardiac diseases found in other parts of the body. The Medical Director of the DSA Unit is Radiologist Norman S. Sorkin, M.D. Dr. Sorkin is board-certified in diagnostic radiology, as well as vascular and interventional radiology. He brings extensive experience in interventional radiology to Bayshore's DSA Unit.

Interventional Radiology (www.sirweb.org)
Interventional radiology is a rapidly growing area of medicine. Interventional radiologists are physicians who specialize in minimally invasive, targeted treatments performed using imaging guidance. Interventional radiology procedures are an advance in medicine that replace open surgical procedures. They are generally easier for the patient because they involve no large incisions, less risk, less pain and shorter recovery times.

What Is Interventional Radiology?
Interventional radiologists (IRs) use their expertise in reading X-rays, ultrasound and other medical images to guide small instruments, such as catheters (tubes that measure just a few millimeters in diameter), through the blood vessels or other pathways to treat disease percutaneously (through the skin). These procedures are typically much less invasive and much less costly than traditional surgery.

Who Are Interventional Radiologists?
Interventional radiologists are medical doctors who have specialized in doing medical procedures that involve radiology. Radiologists use imaging equipment such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) to diagnose disease. IRs are board-certified radiologists who are fellowship trained in percutaneous interventions using guided imaging. The American Board of Medical Specialties certifies their specialized training.

What Are the Advantages of Interventional Radiology?

• Diagnostic imaging
• Laboratory
• Medical/surgical
• Therapeutic
• Nutritional counseling
• Rehabilitative services
• Participation in ongoing clinical trials

Common Interventional Procedures

 

Angiography		An X-ray exam of the arteries and veins to diagnose blockages and other blood vessel problems; uses a catheter to enter the blood vessel and a contrast agent (X-ray dye) to make the artery or vein visible on the X-ray.
Balloon Angioplasty		Opens blocked or narrowed blood vessels by inserting a very small balloon into the vessel and inflating it. Used by IRs to unblock clogged arteries in the legs or arms (called peripheral vascular disease or PVD), kidneys (called portal hypertension), brain or elsewhere in the body.
Biliary drainage and stenting		Uses a stent (small mesh tube) to open up blocked ducts and allow bile to drain from the liver.
Central venous access		Insertion of a tube beneath the skin and into the blood vessels so those patients can receive medication or nutrients directly into the bloodstream or so blood can be drawn.
Chemoembolization		Delivery of cancer-fighting agents directly to the site of a cancer tumor; currently being used mostly to treat cancers of the endocrine system, including melanoma and liver cancers.
Embolization		Delivery of clotting agents (coils, plastic particles, gel, foam, etc.) directly to an area that is bleeding or to block blood flow to a problem area, such as an aneurysm or a fibroid tumor in the uterus.
Gastrostomy tube		Feeding tube inserted into the stomach for patients who are unable to take sufficient food by mouth.
Hemodialysis access maintenance		Use of angioplasty or thrombolysis to open blocked grafts for hemodialysis, which treats kidney failure.
Needle biopsy		Diagnostic test for breast, lung and other cancers; an alternative to surgical biopsy.
Radiofrequency (RF) ablation		Use of radiofrequency (RF) energy to cook and kill cancerous tumors.
Stent		A small, flexible tube made of plastic or wire mesh, used to treat a variety of medical conditions (e.g., to hold open clogged blood vessels or other pathways that have been narrowed or blocked by tumors or obstructions.)
Stent-graft		Reinforces a ruptured or ballooning section of an artery (an aneurysm) with a fabric-wrapped stent C — a small, flexible mesh tube used to "patch" the blood vessel. Also known as an endograph.
Thrombolysis		Dissolves blood clots by injecting clot-busting drugs at the site of the clot.
TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt)		Life-saving procedures to improve blood flow and prevent hemorrhage in patients with severe liver dysfunction.
Uterine artery embolization		An embolization procedure of uterine arteries to stop life- threatening postpartum bleeding, potentially preventing hysterectomy. The same procedure is used to treat fibroid tumors and is then called UFE (Uterine Fibroid Embolization).
Uterine fibroid embolization		An embolization procedure of uterine arteries to shrink painful, enlarged, benign tumors in the uterus, also called UAE (Uterine Artery Embolization).
Vertebroplasty		A new, interventional radiology treatment for the pain of spinal fractures.

For more information regarding the Cardiac Catheterization laboratory or the DSA Unit, please call (732) 888-5276.