Angioplasty

THE CVPH Heart Center in Plattsburgh offers less invasive cardiac procedures as a replacement to traditional surgery.

Locations

Exterior of 214 Cornelia Street building

CVPH Interventional Cardiology

214 Cornelia Street
Suite 203
Plattsburgh,  NY  12901

Phone:  (518) 314-3420
Fax:  (518) 562-7064

Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:30pm

Invasive cardiology at the CVPH Heart Center encompasses a wide range of treatments performed through less invasive  - or percutaneous - procedures.  As technologies and techniques continue to rapidly advance, our patients benefit from the use of less invasive procedures as a replacement for traditional surgery.

Angioplasty or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as angioplasty, encompasses a variety of procedures used to treat patients with diseased arteries of the heart including chest pain caused by a build-up of fats, cholesterol, and other substances from the blood (referred to as plaque) that can reduce blood flow to a near trickle, or lead to a heart attack caused by a large blood clot that completely blocks the artery.

Typically, PCI is performed by threading a slender balloon-tipped tube – a catheter – from an artery in the groin to a trouble spot in an artery of the heart (this is referred to as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty – also known as PTCA, coronary artery balloon dilation or balloon angioplasty). The balloon is then inflated, compressing the plaque and dilating (widening) the narrowed coronary artery so that blood can flow more easily. This is often accompanied by inserting an expandable metal stent. Stents are wire mesh tubes used to prop open arteries after PTCA.

Patients may benefit from angioplasty to:

  • Greatly increase blood flow through the blocked artery
  • Decrease chest pain (angina)
  • Increase ability for physical activity
  • Reduce risk of a heart attack

Learn more about angioplasty or PCI.

Scheduling Appointments
Pre-registration
Ways to Receive Care
Visitor Restrictions

While the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way some things look and feel at CVPH, providing you and your loved ones with the care you need is always our top priority. We are taking extra precautions by adjusting some of the ways we provide care, both in-person and remotely at CVPH Interventional Cardiology. It is important to know what to expect when you are in our care. Below is a glimpse of the experience you can expect before, during and after your provider visit.

Scheduling Appointments

If you have a pressing issue, do not hesitate to call (518) 314-3420 from 8:00 a.m. -
4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Pre-registration

To streamline your visit and limit time spent in the waiting room, you may go through pre-registration before the appointment if you haven’t been seen in the last 4 months.That involves a phone call a few days ahead of the visit to verify some basic information about you and your insurance. This is similar to what you used to do in the waiting room before seeing your provider. The entire call will only last a few minutes.

The process is similar for same day appointments. Once the appointment is scheduled, you will be transferred to a representative for pre-registration.

Care That’s Right For You

Whether it’s in person, on the phone or via video, we are offering expanded access to ensure you get the care you need, when you need it. CVPH Interventional Cardiology offers these options:

Please call our office to speak with a staff member about the different ways you can get care, or click here to learn more about each option.

In-person Visits

When you arrive for your appointment, you’ll notice more precautions in place to support your health and comfort.

What you can expect:

  • Check-in: To ensure a smooth process and avoid significant waiting times, we ask that you arrive promptly for your appointment. If you arrive early, you may be asked to wait in the car until an exam room opens up. A staff member may then call you (if you have a cell phone) when a room is free or come out to get you. You will go inside the entrance at 206 Cornelia Street. If you have a mask, be sure to put it on before going into the building.  
  • Screening: Once you enter the building, a representative at the desk immediately in front of the doors  will ask you a few screening questions to determine if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or have any symptoms and get your temperature checked. If you do not have a mask, we are happy to provide one for you and help put it on.
    • If you do not pass the screening: Don’t worry! We are taking every precaution to ensure you receive the care you need and minimize exposure to others. If necessary, your provider will be notified and will work directly with you to ensure your appointment is kept.
    • If you pass: Head directly to the office. If an exam room is not immediately available, you may be taken to the waiting room for no more than a few minutes. If the wait is longer, you may be asked to go back to your car. A staff member will be sent out to get you when a room is available. 
  • Exam Room: Once in the room, the nurse will go over basic information as usual, including medications and the reason for the visit. You will be asked to wash your hands before the provider sees you. Your provider will then visit with you.
  • Check Out: Once the visit is complete and your provider leaves the room, you may head to the check out desk where a member will get you checked out, schedule any follow-up visits and escort you to the exit. Any co-pays or other payments owed will be handled over the phone or through the mail. 

What we will be doing:

  • Masking: For everyone’s protection, we’re asking you to wear your mask while in our care, and we’ll be wearing masks, too.
  • Cleaning & Sanitizing: Following CDC and New York State Department of Health Guidelines, we are cleaning and disinfecting exam rooms, front desk counters, check-out counters, waiting room furniture and patient bathrooms in between each patient visit. You may also notice we are cleaning common areas and wiping down surfaces more frequently throughout the day.
  • Social Distancing: We are limiting the use of the waiting room as much as possible. We have also made changes to support safe social distancing of at least 6 feet. That includes fewer chairs and new floor markings to create a “circle of health” to help with appropriate distancing.  

Visitor Restrictions

You may be accustomed to bringing a friend or loved one to your appointments. For the most up-to-date visitation policy at the hospital and our clinics, click here.

If you need a support person or driver to accompany you to the office, we ask that they wait in their vehicle or return at a specific time. We also ask that they be no more than 15 minutes away while you are with us. After your appointment, a staff member will bring you to the designated entryway to meet up with your support person outside the office. 

If a support person needs to come inside the building with you for the appointment, that individual will also be screened before entering the building and must wear a mask for the duration of the visit. Please call us at (518) 562-7990 to determine if a support person during the visit is appropriate.