What's the difference between cardiac electrophysiology and interventional cardiology?

July 26, 2022 | 3 minutes read time

Not many heart patients and their families are aware of the difference between interventional cardiology and electrophysiology.

Although most patients are redirected to the right medical expert in times of need, the knowledge of the difference between the two can save time for patients. Dr. Vanita, the best electrophysiologist and interventional cardiologist in India, therefore, explains the difference in this article.

Interventional Cardiologist vs. Electrophysiologist

Electrophysiology is a specialized field that deals with heart rhythm disorders caused due to problems with the electrical conduction system.

It’s a branch of cardiology that focuses on correcting abnormal heartbeats through medication, pacemaker implantation, catheter ablation, cardioversion, cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation, maze procedure, etc.

An electrophysiologist like Dr. Vanita determines what treatment option should stabilize your arrhythmia. They use a variety of diagnosis methods, such as an echocardiogram, Holter monitor, electrocardiogram, implantable loop recorder, and event recorder to detect the type of arrhythmia.

If it’s not detected, an electrophysiologist performs electrophysiological testing (EP testing), tilt table test, and stress test to detect exceedingly fast (tachycardia) or slow heartbeats (bradycardia).

Who is Interventional Cardiologist?

While an electrophysiologist treats the electrical system of the heart, an interventional cardiologist specializes in the circulation system. They ensure proper blood flow towards and away from the heart through invasive and non-invasive treatment options.

In particular, interventional cardiologists perform catheter-based procedures. They place stents inside the patient’s clogged arteries to correct the blood flow. As a result, they prevent heart attacks in at-risk patients.

On the other hand, electrophysiologists focus on preventing sudden cardiac arrests in patients caused due to abnormalities in the electrical impulses of the heart. Dr. Vanita specializes in both fields. Hence, you can consult her for any heart-related problem.

FAQs

1. How do cardiologists differ from interventional cardiologists?

Not all cardiologistsare trained to perform catheter-based procedures, but interventional cardiologists are.

• What’s the difference between a cardiac surgeon and an interventional cardiologist?

The difference lies in the type of procedures they perform. Interventional cardiologists specialize in catheter-based treatments whereas cardiac surgeons perform bypass surgeries, heart valve replacement, heart transplants, congenital heart defect repairs, aneurysm repairs, and other highly invasive heart surgeries.

• What’s the role of non-interventional cardiologists?

They focus on diagnosing, preventing, and managing heart diseases. Non-interventional cardiologists help patients manage coronary artery disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. They don’t perform invasive procedures.

Instead, they refer patients to interventional cardiologists or electrophysiologists when needed.

Contact Dr. Vanita

Dr. Vanita is a distinguished interventional cardiologist and electrophysiologist in India. She is a leader in propagating advanced technological innovations and world-class medical care for heart patients.

Dr. Vanita has various awards under her belt, including the Magnanimous Award, Distinguished Service Award, and Best Case Report Award in Cardiology. To book an appointment, visit her website or dial +91 98738 79994. Otherwise, you can send an email at doctorvanitaarora@gmail.com.

Now, you can also opt for a video consultation with the top heart specialist in India!