Interventional Cardiologist Christopher Mallavarapu routinely performs cardiac catheterization. This minimally invasive procedure is used to identify blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. Dr. Mallavarapu explains the process.
Most patients ignore the initial symptoms of coronary artery disease. Chest pressure, difficulty breathing and fatigue are all early warning signs — but these symptoms can be associated with so many different conditions.
Many people ignore these symptoms entirely… until a routine EKG comes back with abnormal results. A physician may then order stress testing or echocardiography. If findings indicate decreased blood flow to the heart, a cardiac catheterization may be ordered.
Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure. The procedure includes the insertion of a catheter into the wrist or groin. It is then guided to the heart, where a contrast agent is injected. This allows the physician to visualize the coronary arteries as the blood flows through them.
Christopher Mallavarapu has performed more than 12,000 cardiac catheterization procedures. He considers cardiac catheterization to be a preferable method of diagnosis because it is a minimally invasive procedure. Dr. Mallavarapu is also considered a thought leader in the field of coronary artery disease.A thought leader in the field of cardiology, Dr. Mallavarapu actively supports the advancement of similar techniques.