Treatment

A combination of echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. A miniature echo device on the tip of a catheter is used to generate images inside the heart and blood vessels

Into or within a vein

Procedures of this type may be used to stretch open a narrow valve or blood vessel, using a catheter with an inflatable balloon (Illustration). Alternatively, a tiny ‘spring coil’ may be inserted to block off an abnormal and unwanted blood vessel (Illustration), or an expanding plug (usually referred to as a ‘device’) may be placed … Read more