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Invasive Cardiovascular Technology

The field of cardiovascular technology is divided into two separate sections: noninvasive, and invasive. Noninvasive technologies deal with scanning a patient's body using methods such as x-rays, echocardiography and ultrasound, but nothing ever enters the patient's body. Invasive cardiovascular technologies on the other hand are used for actually treating problems revealed by those scans and tests by entering the patient's body. A related field is vascular technology. Here, technicians help to diagnose circulatory disorders by studying blood flow.

  1. Invasive Cardiovascular Technology

    • Invasive cardiovascular technology is any method or tool that involves the penetration of the patient's body in order to repair or help the cardiovascular system. Surgeries such as angioplasty, cardiac catheterization, and vascular surgery are all examples of invasive cardiovascular procedures. Tools such as catheters, balloons, scalpels, and cameras that enter the patient's body are examples of invasive cardiovascular technology.

    Cardiovascular Technologists

    • People who specialize in invasive cardiovascular technology are called cardiovascular technologists. These professionals often act as assistants to doctors and surgeons performing cardiovascular surgery. Often the cardiovascular technologist monitors the patient's vital signs and assists with catheter insertion, among other duties.

    Procedures

    • Several procedures fall under the term invasive cardiovascular technology. One of these is heart catheterization, in which a small tube is threaded through a patient's artery (usually beginning in the arm or groin and moving toward the heart) to determine if there's a blockage. A balloon angioplasty (which may be a part of heart catheterization) is also a technique of invasive cardiovascular technology. In this procedure a small balloon is attached to the end of the catheter and is inflated to help clear the blockage found in the artery. An electrophysiology test is another example of invasive cardiovascular surgery. This procedure involves wires being run through a rube in a patient's veins (similar to a catheter) and into the heart where the wires record the electrical signals from inside the organ. This test is used to determine the cause of a patient's irregular heartbeat, and to see if it can be reproduced.

    Environment

    • Cardiovascular technology, both invasive and noninvasive, is often performed in hospitals. However, for those who find themselves in need of cardiovascular specialists, some clinics and offices run by cardiologists are set up to provide the benefits of cardiovascular technology in a private setting.

    Salary and Hours

    • For those who are trained and qualified cardiovascular technologists, the average workweek is 5 days and 40 hours, though weekends may be a necessity at times. The average salary for this time and expertise is roughly $42,000 per year, which may vary based on the employer.

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