The Baton Rouge, Louisiana personal injury lawyers at Murphy Law Firm understand that after an accident a cardiologist may be needed. Below is some information on cardiologists that you may helpful if you are having heart problems due to an accident.
A cardiologist is a physician who is certified to treat problems of the cardiovascular system. This includes the heart, arteries and veins. They have great expertise in diagnosing different heart diseases and defects. Different preventative methods can be taken to reduce heart disease, such as taking different drugs to reduce high blood pressure or cholesterol. Common problems cardiologist are proficient in treating include: Heart attacks (Myocardial Infarction), Coronary artery disease, Arrhythmias, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), Cardiomyopathy, Valvular heart disease, Pericardial disease (pericarditis), and Congenital heart disease.
Several invasive and non-invasive forms of test can be performed to help the cardiologist identify the patient's condition.
Non-Invasive Procedures:
Treadmill Stress Test - Precisely measures your body's reaction to physical activity in a safe and controlled environment.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - Monitors electrical activity of the heart, picking up even the slightest, but potentially dangerous abnormalities.
Echocardiogram - A simple outpatient test that positively identifies problems of the heart valves and muscle function.
Holter Monitoring - A 24-hour, carry-along heart monitoring system, capable of pinpointing previously difficult-to-detect heart rhythm problems.
Nuclear Imaging - Scans the heart using a special camera to visualize the blood flow patterns through the heart muscle for an accurate analysis.
Advanced Medication - Saves thousands of lives each year, without surgery.
Invasive procedures:
Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization - utilizes a flexible, narrow tube (catheter) through a vein or an artery into the heart to withdraw samples of blood and also to measure pressures in the heart chambers and vessels.
Coronary Angiography - An X-ray of the blood vessels of the heart, which gives us a clear picture of any potential problems.
Interventional procedures:
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) - More commonly known as "balloon angioplasty," it's a method of treating the narrowing of a coronary artery by inserting a specialized catheter with a balloon attachment. By inflating the balloon, we are able to open the narrow portion of the artery to restore proper blood flow to the heart.
Laser Angioplasty - To open a narrow vein or artery using laser technology.
Intracoronary Stent Deployment - An implantation technique used to reinforce the wall of a vein or artery and assure its openness.
Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging - Used to evaluate any potential heart disease or plaque build-up.
Endomyocardial Biopsy - Used to remove some of the heart's tissue for microscopic evaluation.
Temporary and Permanent Pacemaker Insertion - Used to treat a slow-beating heart, by electrically stimulating the heart to contract properly.
Cardiology and Cardiovascular surgery complement each other.
Cardiac Surgeons: Cardiac surgeons perform many different operations, including; coronary artery bypass, pacemaker insertion, heart rhythm surgery, valve replacement or repairs, heart transplants and repairs of complex heart problems present from birth (congenital heart disease). They are also qualified to operate on organs other than the heart, such as esophagus, lungs and blood vessels.
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