Top Rated Cardiologist for Coronary Angiography: What to Consider 

Your general practitioner (GP) has recommended that you see a cardiologist because he/she thinks you need a procedure called coronary angiography. This is a procedure where a specialist will look at the arteries that supply your heart to see if there is any blockage or narrowing. When you search for a cardiologist there will be many names that will come up. However, there is more to being a good cardiologist than just getting good ratings. Training and experiences with different procedures need to be taken into account as well. Also, looking at the big picture and providing personalized care is also very important.

To help you make your decision, it may be useful to understand what coronary angiography is, as well as what other factors may influence care.

Coronary Angiography

Coronary angiography is a procedure in which a specialist places a special type of thin tube (catheter) in an artery in your leg or arm and threads it to your heart. In the catheter there is special liquid (contrast) that will help the specialist see your heart’s blood supply on an X-ray. The X-ray can show blockages or narrowing in your heart’s blood supply.

Blockages or narrowing in your heart’s blood supply is called coronary artery disease. The specialist may also recommend different changes in your lifestyle and/or use different medication. The specialist may also perform other procedures to treat blockages, such as placing a stent in your heart’s blood supply.

A cardiologist will decide on your treatment plan based on the result of your coronary angiography. When you are looking for a cardiologist for a coronary angiography, you should look at how experienced they are with treating coronary artery disease. You should also look at online reviews to see how experienced they are with procedure and how good their communication skills are.

Factors to consider when evaluating a Cardiologist include:

• What professional memberships and specialist qualifications do they hold?

• Were they trained in interventional cardiology?

• Have they performed coronary interventions?

• Do they have admitting rights at a hospital?

• Is there cardiac care support available?

• Is the Cardiologist known to communicate well?

• Do they involve patients in their care?

• Are they known to support patients during and after procedures?

One should consider the experience of a Cardiologist with respect to the procedures that they need.

Cardiology is a broad field and even subspecializing within cardiology exists. Interventional cardiology encompasses catheter based procedures, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and coronary stenting. Cardiologists who perform such procedures are often in a good position to discuss the rationale for performing angioplasty and stenting, based on the interpretation of angiography and clinical data.

Dr Shailesh Khatri has been an Interventional Cardiologist on the Gold Coast for 25 years, and has extensive experience in all areas of cardiology including coronary angiography and stenting. Dr Khatri has special interests in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and percutaneous mitral commissurotomy.

Dr Khatri’s extensive experience may be useful when choosing a doctor to perform an angioplasty or stenting procedure. This is because, depending on clinical indications, angioplasty and stenting may be performed to treat obstructive coronary artery disease.

The inter-relationship of Angiography and Angioplasty

Coronary angiography is performed to assess blockages in the coronary arteries. During this procedure, dye is inserted into the coronary arteries to enable x-ray pictures to be taken. Angioplasty is performed to treat blockages. A thin, deflated balloon on the end of a catheter is inserted and guided to the blockage. The balloon is then inflated to expand the blockage and the catheter is then placed to keep the blockage open.

Not every patient will require angioplasty following a coronary angiography. The final decision will be determined by the opinions of the interventional cardiologist and the angiography report. Additional findings from the patient’s history, physical examination, and other information pertaining to the patient’s health will also be considered. Transparency is vital, and the cardiologist should explain the rationale for and against proceeding with the angioplasty.

Choose a Cardiology Clinic with a Direct Pathway to Care

A competent cardiology clinic should have a structured system for the management of cardiac conditions. This includes the appointment process, the referral process, and the investigation and treatment pathways. Patients should be informed where and when they should go for their subsequent appointments.

Dr. Khatri believes in offering the full range of services for the management of cardiovascular disease. This includes prevention and management strategies, procedures, rehabilitation and other allied services. Dr. Khatri and his multidisciplinary team are committed to providing the highest quality service to all his patients.

You will need a referral from your family doctor to see Dr. Khatri. Your doctor will decide whether further testing and/or a specialist consultation is warranted.

Communication Should Be Part of Every Decision

The public may have trouble understanding many cardiovascular terms and phrases and therefore may have trouble understanding an explanation regarding an opinion regarding the narrowing of the coronary arteries and/or an interventional procedure. Hence, the doctor should discuss the pros and cons of the various alternative options before the patient makes a final decision regarding management.

A couple of suggested questions:

• Why is coronary angiography suggested?

• What kind of prep is required?

• What kind of info is this test likely to provide?

• Will I need to stay in the hospital for the procedure?

• What are the dangers and risks of the procedure?

• Will an angioplasty/stenting be required?

• Will I need further tests/procedures?

A health care worker should be encouraged to provide as much information as possible so that the patient can make an informed decision regarding his/her treatment plan.

Where to Find the Best Cardiologist on the Gold Coast

The most important factors when choosing a cardiologist should be the availability of appropriate hospital access and whether the doctor has the right experience regarding your specific condition. However, search results, reviews and other comments should not be completely ignored. You should consider all of the available information regarding the doctor’s experience, interventions, communication and practice style.

Dr. Shailesh Khatri is a Gold Coast Interventional Cardiologist and is able to provide service for many cardiac related procedures and interventions.

To make an appointment, ask your doctor for a referral and contact Dr. Khatri's office at (07) 5598 0322. Other information is available at drskhatri.com.au

Although the information provided is for general educational purposes, it is hoped that it will prove to be useful and beneficial for the community. For any health emergencies or situations that require immediate attention, call 000.

The article "Top Rated Cardiologist for Coronary Angiography: What to Consider" was originally posted here.