The Difference Between a General Cardiologist and an Interventional Cardiologist
You likely will be referred to a general cardiologist by your primary care physician if you have heart disease, you are at high risk of developing heart disease, or have warning signs of a heart problem. He or she may prescribe a treatment plan of diet, exercise and medication. However, if these treatments aren’t effective, if the heart disease is too far progressed, or if a stenting treatment is needed, you may need to see an Interventional Cardiologist (IC).
ICs are trained in diagnosing and treating coronary artery disease (CAD) through catheter-based procedures, such as angioplasty and stenting. These catheter-based solutions can include an Impella CP® with SmartAssist® supported stenting procedure. An Impella CP® supported procedure may improve patients’ quality of life1,2 – even for patients who are considered too high risk for surgery. Consulting with an IC could be the key to getting treatment that could help you get back to doing the things you love to do.
This is good news for surgical turndown patients.
An Impella CP supported procedure could be an option, even if you’ve been told you’re too high risk for surgery.
Talk with your General Cardiologist about whether an Impella CP supported procedure could be an appropriate option for you.
Possible Benefits of an Impella CP Supported Procedure
- Improved Quality of Life1,2
- Fewer Days in the Hospital3
- Reduction in Death, Heart Attack, and Stroke1,4,5
- Fewer repeat visits2
More than 330,000 patients have been supported with Impella heart pumps6
Impella has helped thousands get back to doing what they love. Here are just a few of their stories:
Patients Share Their Stories of Heart Recovery
References
- O’Neill, et al. AHJ, 2022 248:139-149, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2022.02.006
- Wollmuth, et al. JSCAI, 2022 1(5), https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.jscai.2022.100350
- Lansky, et al. The American Journal of Cardiology, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2022.08.032
- Abu-Much, et al., AHJ, 2024 269:139-148. https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2023.12.015
- Zeitouni, et al., Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions, 2022 15(5). https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCINTERVENTIONS.121.011534
- *Abiomed. (2024, September 10) Global Patients - Fiscal Year. Retrieved from Salesforce database
As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. Only a physician can determine whether Impella is an option for High-Risk PCI and would be an appropriate course of treatment. There are potential risks including acute renal dysfunction, aortic valve injury, bleeding, cardiogenic shock, cerebral vascular accident/stroke, death, hemolysis, limb ischemia, myocardial infarction, renal failure, thrombocytopenia and cardiac or vascular injury (including ventricular perforation). These risks need to be discussed with your doctor and recovery takes time. The success of this procedure depends on many factors, including your physical condition and your body’s ability to tolerate the procedure. Use care in the selection of your doctors and hospital, based on their skill and experience.
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