SCAI

About SCAI

SCAI was established in 1976 under the guidance of Drs. F. Mason Sones and Melvin P. Judkins.

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Patient Education

“You and Your Stent”

An educational video for patients and their families.

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SCAI President’s Message

Dr. James Blankenship

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Our Mission

Did you know Cardiovascular Disease is the #1 cause of death in the U.S.? Members of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) are the world's foremost authorities in treating cardiovascular disease. SCAI supports the fight against cardiovascular disease by advancing patient care in invasive and interventional cardiovascular medicine through patient/physician education including its comprehensive patient education website, http://www.seconds-count.org.

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SecondsCount.org

Activity

SCAI answered
On Aug 21

Could I bleed from the puncture site of my angioplasty procedure?

When you have angioplasty to reopen a blocked artery, the entire procedure will be accomplished through a small puncture site in the skin on your leg or arm. The physician performing the procedure - an interventional cardiologist - will feed a thin tube called a catheter from this insertion point...
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SCAI answered
On Aug 17

How do I prepare for a stress test?

Your doctor, hospital or imaging center will provide you with instructions on preparing for your specific type of stress test, but here are some general guidelines and points to consider: Dress in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing suitable for exercising, including a short-sleeved shirt tha
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SCAI answered
On Aug 17

As a man with heart disease, what should I know about sildenafil (Viagra)?

Sildenafil (Viagra) is a medication that is commonly prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction - the inability of a man to obtain and maintain an erection. The medication indirectly helps with penile erection by increasing nitric oxide, which helps dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow to the.
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SCAI answered
On Aug 14

Does grape juice have the same heart health benefits as drinking red wine?

Studies have thus far been inconclusive, but there may be a link between moderate red wine consumption and a reduced risk of heart disease. But what about people who do not drink red wine? Could grape juice have the same effects? Interest in red wine for heart health has focused in part on the possi
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SCAI answered
On Aug 09

How can I raise the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level in my body?

High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol is often called “good” cholesterol because it helps keep cholesterol from building up inside blood vessels. Cholesterol is one of the components of plaque, the fatty substance that can over time block arteries and lead to a heart attack or stroke. An...
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SCAI answered
On Aug 09

What lifestyle changes will I need to make if I have renal artery disease?

In renal artery disease, blockages are present in the arteries that carry blood to your kidneys. These blockages are the result of a disease process called atherosclerosis (or hardening of the arteries), in which a fatty substance (plaque) builds up inside arteries. Because atherosclerosis takes pla
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SCAI answered
On Aug 02

What is the “control arm” of a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study conducted with human beings to see if a new medical device, medication or other treatment is effective and safe. Some study participants will be assigned to a “control arm” or “control group” in the study. Those who are in the control arm will not receive the...
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SCAI answered
On Aug 02

What is secondary prevention?

When it comes to prevention for cardiovascular disease, there are really two types of prevention: primary prevention and secondary prevention. Primary prevention consists of treatment designed to prevent the onset of disease. For example, a patient who has high cholesterol but does not yet have buil
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SCAI answered
On Aug 02

Can secondhand smoke increase my risk for heart disease?

Second-hand smoke is a known and direct cause of heart disease. A 2007 report from the Surgeon General estimated that nonsmokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke at home or in the workplace have an increased heart disease risk of 25 to 30 percent. Cigarette smoke contains hundreds of toxic c...
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SCAI answered
On Aug 02

What if leg or foot pain returns after endovascular treatment?

Arteries can become blocked again after they have been treated. When an artery becomes renarrowed, it is called restenosis. You may experience leg or foot pain or you may develop a new ulcer or discoloration like what you experienced before the procedure. You should call your doctor. A second p
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SCAI answered
On Aug 02

What is peripheral artery disease (PAD)?

You may have heard the term PAD and wondered what it refers to. PAD is a commonly used acronym for peripheral artery disease, a serious but treatable condition that affects the blood vessels. PAD is like coronary artery disease only PAD mostly affects the blood vessels of the legs, feet, head and ne
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SCAI answered
On Aug 02

Do I need a stent if I have a life-threatening arterial blockage?

If you have a life-threatening blockage in your artery, you will need angioplasty and a stent to stop damage to your heart muscle and restore blood flow to your heart, potentially saving your life. In some cases, a patient with multiple blockages or other factors may require emergency bypass surgery
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SCAI answered
On Jul 18

What role do intensive care nurses have in cardiac bypass surgery?

If you are moved into the hospital's intensive care unit following bypass surgery, you will be cared for by intensive care (or critical care) nurses. These nurses have special training in caring for patients facing life-threatening problems, including cardiac and respiratory emergencies. They are...
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SCAI answered
On Jul 18

What might I ask my doctor about nonsurgical aortic valve replacement?

In November 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new treatment for heart patients with severe aortic valve stenosis who are not good candidates for open-heart valve replacement surgery. This new procedure, called transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR), replaces the diseased..
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SCAI answered
On Jul 18

Can I get help by telephone or over the Internet to quit smoking?

If you want help with quitting smoking but are not easily able to get to an office for in-person or group counseling, telephone or online counseling may fit your needs. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether you seek counseling in person, or via telephone or computer-based programs; all seem to be...
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Patient Education

“You and Your Stent”

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