Dr. David Lasorda points out the
arteries that provide oxygen to
the heart muscle.

To Your Health Editor, Kathy Lehman, MS, recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Lasorda about cardiac catheterization.

Editor: Heart disease continues to be the number one cause of death in the United States. How can individuals reduce their risk of developing heart disease?

Dr. Lasorda: The best way to reduce the risk of developing heart disease is to adopt a lifestyle that includes a diet low in saturated fat, regular aerobic exercise and careful management of blood pressure and blood sugar levels. In addition, smoking is a definite threat to heart health. It can't be stressed enough that although positive lifestyle changes are helpful at any point in life, the optimal time to begin adopting a heart healthy lifestyle is early in life.

Editor: What is cardiac catheterization?

Dr. Lasorda: Cardiac catheterization is a method of detecting blockages in the arteries that provide oxygen to the heart muscle. When those arteries become blocked, the chances of a heart attack greatly increase. In order to detect blockages, a thin flexible catheter (tube-like instrument) is inserted into an artery in the groin and carefully advanced up to the heart (see figure 1). The tip of the catheter is positioned at the opening of the heart’s arteries and a dye is injected. The dye flows down the artery and into the blood vessels of the heart. Then, an instrument called fluoroscope is used to produce images of the arteries (see figure 2). Once a blockage is diagnosed, the physician can prescribe the appropriate treatment plan.

In addition to detecting arterial blockages, the catheter also measures pressures in the main heart chamber (the left ventricle). his measurement provides valuable information regarding the heart's pumping ability, and so the test is also valuable for diagnosing several different heart conditions.

Editor: How accurate is cardiac catheterization?

Dr. Lasorda: Cardiac catheterization is a very accurate and definitive procedure that provides information so that an appropriate treatment plan can be prescribed.

On a personal note, I have enjoyed treating patients in the Grove City area for the past several years and am looking forward to providing this new service for the hospital and the community.  

December 2003