Innovative radiation therapy to remove scar tissue in the arteries
Scar tissue can develop in your arteries after an angioplasty or stent placement, which can cause the arteries to become narrow again. Doctors in our Interventional Cardiology Program use an innovative technique involving radiation, which typically is used to destroy tumors, to target scar tissue within the arteries. Our high-volume catheterization program is always among the first in the nation to evaluate new technology and techniques such as this to improve your care.
What to expect during intracoronary radiation therapy
An IV will be inserted in your hand or your arm to provide fluids and a sedative to help you relax. Your care team will monitor your heart with an electrocardiogram during the procedure.
A local anesthetic will be injected to numb the insertion area in your arm or groin. The doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into an artery in the insertion area and guide it to the narrowed artery using X-ray imaging. When the catheter is in place, a small dose of radiation is applied to slow or stop rapid scar tissue growth and keep the artery clear.
The radiation is typically applied for five to 25 minutes, depending on the amount of tissue in your body. The doctor will then remove the catheter and close the incision. You will be taken to a recovery area to be monitored for a few hours while the sedation wears off.
Interventional cardiology program
We have one of the highest volume heart catheterization programs in the mid-Atlantic region, averaging nearly 12,000 procedures annually.
Conditions
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease in the United States.
Tests
Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat a variety of heart and vascular conditions by guiding thin, flexible tubes called catheters through blood vessels to problem areas.
Chest X-ray
Chest X-rays use a small dose of radiation to create pictures of the structures inside the chest, including the lungs, heart, and chest wall.
Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
The cardiac computed tomography scan, or cardiac CT, uses X-rays to create three-dimensional images of your heart and blood vessels.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your heart.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, measures the heart’s electrical activity.
Our providers
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Interventional Cardiology
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Nelson L. Bernardo, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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Brian Christopher Case, MD
Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology & Internal Medicine
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Robert Anthony Gallino, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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Roy Harel Leiboff, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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Oluwabunmi Oluwayinka, FNP
Interventional Cardiology
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David B. Peichert, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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Emidio Puliti, FNP-C
Interventional Cardiology
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Lowell F. Satler, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
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Jessica V Stehman, PA-C
Interventional Cardiology
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Nardos Temesgen, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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Ron Waksman, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
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John Chung-Yee Wang, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
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Terence Bertele, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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Nancy Jo Davenport, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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Rajendra R. Shetty, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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Asmir I. Syed, MD
Interventional Cardiology
Show All Interventional Cardiology
Our locations
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MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving St. NW Washington, DC 20010
Related services
Ask MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute
Have general questions for our heart and vascular program? Email us at AskMHVI@medstar.net. If you have clinically-specific questions, please contact your physician’s office.