Interventional Cardiology
Did you know angioplasty is sometimes referred to as “Dottering” after OHSU’s Charles Dotter, M.D.? Dr. Dotter, who is often called the “Father of Interventional Radiology,” performed the very first transluminal angioplasty of a peripheral arterial vessel right here at OHSU in 1964.
Another OHSU cardiologist, Dr. Melvin Judkins, designed many catheters that are used today to help diagnose and treat congenital heart defects.
Angioplasty
Angioplasty restores blood flow to your heart by widening arteries that have become blocked by plaque. Doctors insert a small, deflated balloon into a blood vessel and move it to the blocked artery. Once the balloon is in place, doctors inflate the balloon, which pushes the plaque to the edge of the artery wall so the heart receives proper blood flow again.
Cardiac Catheterization
In cardiac catheterization, a very small catheter (hollow tube) is advanced from an artery or vein in the groin through the aorta into the heart. Once the catheter is in place, it can measure the pressure within the chambers of the heart. The catheter can also be advanced into the coronary arteries and a dye injected into the arteries (coronary angiography or arteriography). With the use of fluoroscopy (a special type of x-ray), our cardiologists can tell where any blockages in the coronary arteries are located as the dye moves through the arteries.
Exciting New Technology - Clinical Robotics Laboratory
We now have a special clinical robotics laboratory at the Center for Health & Healing. Using magnetic navigation, cardiologists are able to precisely position electrical pacemakers. This revolutionary technology reduces patients’ exposure to radiation and makes cardiac interventional treatment more effective.
