PVAD A percutaneous ventricular assist device, or PVAD, is a small mechanical pump that supports the heart. A PVAD is only meant for short-term support – from a few hours to 15 days. It is usually reserved for those who have developed heart failure due to surgery or a heart attack, and provides the heart […]
cardiac cath lab
Valvuloplasty (PTBV)
Valvuloplasty (or PTBV, percutaneous transluminal balloon valvuloplasty) is a procedure that is performed in the cardiac cath lab. PTBV is meant to treat narrowed, hardened heart valves, and happens in 3 steps: An expandable balloon catheter is brought into your heart and placed inside the narrowed, hardened heart valve. The balloon is inflated, stretching the […]