Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology – UTIC

The Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology Unit – UTIC deals with the clinical, diagnostic and interventional management of patients with acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases, with the exception of those of arrhythmological relevance. 

Descrizione della struttura

The Cardiology department is located on the second floor of Wing A. It consists of 17 places of ordinary hospitalization of which 8 are monitored. Of the 17 beds, 9 are from the UOC of Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology – UTIC (and 8 from the UOC of Arithmology). To these must be added 4 CICU (UTIC) beds located in the intensive care unit block equipped with multiparametric monitoring and the possibility of mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy. The UOC of Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology – UTIC welcomes acute patients from the Hospital’s Emergency Department or elective patients for whom hospitalization has been indicated for assessments and/or invasive procedures (coronary angiography, coronary angioplasty, cardiac catheterization) for cardiovascular diseases of various kinds. The cardiology clinic has 1 room dedicated to second-level echocardiography and a room dedicated to specialist surgeries equipped with echocardiography and electrocardiography. Another 2 surgeries are available to the UOC of Arrhythmology. 

Main conditions treated

schemic Heart Disease (Acute and Chronic Coronary Syndromes, Acute Myocardial Infarction with and without ST tract elevation), Chronic Acute Heart Failure, Adult Valvulopathies, Cardiomyopathies (Dilated, Hypertrophic Heart Disease and Cardiac Amyloidosis)

Services provided

• Outpatient cardiology visits
• Electrocardiography at rest and under stress
• Transthoracic and trans-oesophageal Color Doppler Echocardiography
• Cardiac Catheterizations with Coronary angiography and Percutaneous Interventions

Outpatient activity

• General Cardiology Clinic
• Clinical Pathway Outpatient Clinic for Ischemic Heart Disease (cardiological examination, electrocardiogram at rest and under stress and Echocardiography
• Specialist Clinics (Cardiology, ECG, Echocardiography)
• Heart Failure Outpatient Clinic (Cardiology Visit, ECG, Echocardiography)
• Echocardiography Laboratory

Scientific research activities

Prof. Leone is an interventional cardiologist particularly experienced in the field of invasive coronary physiology and is the creator of a simplified functional evaluation method that exploits the vasodilatory properties of the contrast medium called cFFR. With his research group he has carried out several clinical studies, also in collaboration with important Italian and foreign institutions, which have documented the safety and effectiveness of a “physiological” approach to coronary angioplasty. These studies led to the definition of a decision-making algorithm in coronary intervention procedures, now known internationally as “#FullPhysiology”. The UOC of Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology – UTIC is also very active in the field of Heart Failure, regularly participating in clinical trials in collaboration with the National Scientific Societies of Cardiology.

Teaching activities

 The Operative Unit of Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology – UTIC hosts 3 students of the 1st and 2nd year of the School of Specialization in Cardiology of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart at which Prof. Antonio Maria Leone is a professor. It is also home to the Degree in Nursing at Tor Vergata University, where Dr. Matteo Ruzzolini is a lecturer.