Holy Name Press Releases

Holy Name Medical Center Interventional Cardiologist, Angel Mulkay, MD Performed Radial Arterial Catheterization

March 28, 2012

Angel Mulkay, MD, FACC, Interventional Cardiologist and Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Holy Name Medical Center is one of only a few physicians in Bergen County to perform radial arterial catheterizations.  This transradial approach to catheterizations finds the pathway to the heart starting at the wrist (transradial Access) and not the groin (transfemoral access).  "By using the transradial approach we are reducing the risk of vascular and other complications, improving patient outcomes, and the overall patient experience of catheterization," explains Dr. Mulkay.

The transradial approach uses the wrist to gain access to arteries that lead to the patient's heart.  Once access to the artery is made, the interventional cardiologist is able to perform either a diagnostic procedure, which determines if and where there are blockages that impede the flow of the blood to the heart muscle, or an interventional procedure (angioplasty) to open up the blocked artery.  This approach enables patients to be mobile much faster-immediately if no sedation is used or shortly after the procedure if sedation is used versus immobilization for up to six hours for patients that have had transfemoral access; less post-procedure pain; less complications and bleeding; and an overall quicker recovery.

"Holy Name Medical Center continues to remain at the forefront of advances in medicine," states Dr. Mulkay.  "Transradial catheterization is just one example of the state of the art procedures available at the Medical Center."

For additional information or for a physician referral please call 1-877-HOLY-NAME (1-877-465-9626).