Interventional Cardiology

Coronary artery blockages and heart rhythm disorders can be treated without surgery using interventional cardiology at the USA Health Heart Center catheterization lab.

Request an Appointment

Or Call (251) 873-6280

USA Health Cardiac Catherization Lab

At the USA Health cardiac catheterization lab, we diagnose and treat people facing a variety of heart conditions. Patients receive evidence-based heart care. Due to breakthroughs in medical technology, more and more patients now undergo minimally invasive procedures rather than needing open-heart surgery.

Innovative Radial Approach

Conventional catheter intervention takes place through the femoral artery (in the leg). However, this procedure requires that patients lie flat on their backs for four to six hours after the procedure and may increase the likelihood of a negative outcome. USA Health specialists have pioneered a radial approach (through the arm) that we now use for about 90 percent of our procedures. With this innovative method, recovery time is shorter, and the risk of complications is less. In fact, patients can get up, walk around and eat almost immediately following the procedure.

USA Health Cardiac Catherization Lab Treatments

Our cardiologists regularly perform many different procedures in the USA Health Catheterization Lab.

Peripheral Vascular Angiogram

This test also uses X-rays and dye to help your cardiologist find narrowed or blocked areas in arteries that supply blood to your legs. If needed, the physician can then treat the affected vessel using angioplasty or another method.

Coronary Angiogram

A diagnostic procedure uses a dye and X-ray imaging to determine the degree and location of blockages in your heart. This may be immediately followed by angioplasty.

Angioplasty

If a blockage can be corrected interventionally, the cardiologist places a tiny balloon in the artery to expand it and allow blood to flow more freely again. This is also known as a percutaneous coronary intervention.

Rotoblator™ Atherectomy

This procedure removes plaque on the inside of coronary arteries that causes blockage leading to heart attacks.

Stent

A stent is a tiny tube that is inserted in a blocked artery to keep the passageway open.

Loop Recorder

This implantable heart monitor is used for diagnostic purposes to record the heart’s electrical signals.

Balloon Pump

A balloon pump, or intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), is a short-term treatment that makes it easier for coronary arteries to flow. It involves placing a long, thin tube (balloon) in blocked coronary arteries. The balloon inflates and deflates in sync with the heart’s contractions.

Impella Heart Pump

Similar to a balloon pump, an Impella heart pump pulls blood from the left ventricle and into the aorta to help increase blood flow into your coronary arteries. Unlike the IABP, it does not rely on the strength of the patient’s heart.

Permanent Defibrillator

An automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) is a battery-powered device that connects to the heart and provides a brief shock to restore a normal heart rhythm when it detects an abnormal rhythm.

Pacemaker

This implantable device sends a tiny electrical impulse to the patient’s heart, enabling it to maintain an appropriate heart rhythm.

Locations

Cardiac Catheterization LabClinic is located in University Hospital
2451 University Hospital Dr. Mobile, AL 36617
(251) 471-7160
Learn More Plan a Visit

Interventional Cardiologists

These are the heart specialists who treat patients in our cardiac catherization lab.

View Profile
Ghulam Mustafa Awan, M.D.Interventional CardiologistDirector of Interventional Cardiology and Endovascular Interventions; Professor of Internal MedicineSpecialty: Heart Care
Request an Appointment

Request An Appointment

If you are experiencing heart conditions, reach out to request an appointment with our heart care team.

Request an Appointment

Clinical Trials

As an academic medical center, our physicians participate in clinical trials. Find if you might be a candidate for any of our current trials.

Search Trials

Education and Research

USA Health cardiologists are also researchers and teachers, who are training new generations of heart specialists and transforming medicine through research.

Learn More