Each year, millions of individuals are affected by heart conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, sudden cardiac arrest, and heart failure. As a leading developer of less-invasive medical technologies, Boston Scientific provides a broad and deep portfolio of interventional cardiology, cardiac surgery and cardiac rhythm management products, including technologies to diagnose and treat heart conditions. These products help physicians and other medical professionals provide a high standard of care and improve their patients’ quality of life.
Cardiac ablation is an important advancement in the treatment of arrhythmias. Cardiac ablation is a minimally-invasive procedure that can be used for people with many types of arrhythmias.
In coronary angioplasty, also known as PTCA, a balloon catheter is used to treat blocked or narrowed passages in one or more of the coronary arteries. A stent (e.g. wire mesh tube that props the vessel open) is typically placed to secure the opening, restoring normal blood flow to the heart muscle.
A coronary atherotomy is similar to a balloon angioplasty procedure but unlike a typical angioplasty balloon, the atherotomy balloon has microsurgical blades mounted on its surface.