What is Protected Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)?
Protected PCI is a heart procedure using a mechanical circulatory support device that acts like a pump to help decrease complications and improve survival of patients with complex coronary anatomy.
Why Protected PCI?
Protected PCI is important in patients with complex disease of the coronary arteries. Often patients require longer and more technical procedures that require advanced techniques to help diminish complications and improve procedural success. The Impella heart pump helps ensure blood flow is maintained to critical organs such as the brain and kidneys during a PCI procedure so a PCI can be safely performed.
Our approach
Complex coronary interventions require a multidisciplinary and heart team approach. At St. Joseph Hospital’s Heart and Vascular Center in Orange County, patients presenting with complex coronary anatomy are evaluated for both approaches. In patients who are not appropriate candidates for open heart surgery, percutaneous coronary intervention can be safely performed.
Our team
Dr. Kolski and the team at St. Joseph Hospital perform many high risk coronary interventions every year. Dr. Kolski is on the national faculty for the Society of Coronary Angiography and Interventions (SCAI). Dr. Kolski trains physicians on advanced intervention techniques and partners with members of the medical industry to help devise new techniques and advancements to improve the safety of high-risk coronary interventions. Dr. Kolski is involved in several clinical trials using cutting edge research to help the sickest and patients with most complex health issues.
Who we treat
Protected PCIs are generally performed on patients deemed too high risk for coronary artery bypass surgery or stents. Often these patients have coronary artery disease—a prevalent, disabling condition in many adults—and arrive to the emergency department because of a heart attack, heart failure, or angina.
Are you or someone you love a candidate for protected PCI?
Additional Cardiology Services
Dr. Kolski is a highly skilled, nationally recognized cardiologist providing patients in Orange Country with world class heart care services
PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY
Dr. Kolski and the team at Orange County Heart Institute provide full-service evaluation to patients with a strong family history of heart disease and to people who want to know their overall cardiovascular risk.
LIMB SALVAGE PROGRAM
We use minimally invasive techniques to alleviate symptoms and prevent limb loss. Dr. Kolski is on the national faculty for the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions and is a nationally recognized expert in this field.
TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT
Patients receiving new aortic valves see their life expectancy increase and see dramatic improvement in their symptoms. Dr. Kolski performs over 100 TAVR operations per year.
MITRAL VALVE REPAIR PROGRAM
A reduction in mitral regurgitation is dramatic, leading to improved outcomes and symptoms, and fewer hospitalizations. Dr. Kolski and his team have performed over one hundred Mitraclip procedures in the past several years.
PFO TREATMENT
A PFO may permit blood clots to cross from the right side of the heart to the left side, resulting in a stroke. We perform a catheter-based closure of the PFO with a permanent implant.
TRICUSPID TRANSCATHETER REPAIR
Leaking tricuspid valves can cause liver problems, congestive heart failure and cardiac rhythm problems. Our experienced team has access to the latest device clinical trials to repair leaking tricuspid valves without open heart surgery.
COVID CARDIAC EVALUATION
Patients suffering from COVID-19 related illness can experience problems with blood clotting and coagulation disorders. Dr. Kolski can help determine if you're at higher risk for a stroke or heart attack.
Dr. Kolski performs over 200 structural heart interventions a year and travels throughout the U.S., educating physicians on vascular techniques and Complex Higher-Risk (and Indicated) Patients. He directs the structural heart program at St. Joseph Hospital—the busiest catheter-based heart valve program in Orange County.
Procedures Since 2014
800+
TAVR Procedures
300+
Mitraclip Procedures
600+
Complex Coronary Interventions
400+
Limb Salvage Procedures
Happy & Healthy Patients
In addition to being one of Orange County's leading cardiologists, Dr. Kolski is committed to building relationships with patients built on trust and respect. He goes above and beyond to ensure that patients are comfortable and well cared for.
Dr. Kolski has always treated me with respect as a well informed patient. He spoke to me in medical terms I could readily understand. Dr. Kolski lays out truthfully all my options including detailed discussions on the risks of any heart procedures. I appreciate his candor. You’re getting one of the best cardiologists in SoCal. He’s kind, compassionate and caring. Dr. Kolski’s cheerful happy manner always makes my visits to him a hope-filled pleasant experience.I feel very fortunate to have found Dr. Kolski. After being referred to a surgeon who adamantly told me I would need a high risk heart surgery, Dr. Kolski reviewed my case and said he could fix my valve and heart arteries through a few small holes in my arm and groin. He was upfront with me about what to expect depending on my choices. I left the hospital on day two with a new heart valve and the main artery to my heart repaired. I feel great.Dr. Kolski offers his patients bedside manners that seems to have been lost by many doctors today. Dr. Kolski’s attention to me as a patient exemplified his concerns over my entire well being. Dr. Kolski also offers new innovative technologies for vascular blockage that was unavailable to me a year ago. I felt there was little hope because I also have an immune deficiency disease and healing is poor for me. When Dr. Kolski informed me of this new technology and of which he was performing and subsequently teaching other cardiologists at a hospital level...I had hope! I have recommended Dr. Kolski to both family and friends—he is an excellent clinician. He is also very caring. He explains diagnoses and tests in an easily understood manner.Dr. Kolski was very straight forward and kept things simple - even in the most complicated situations. His advice has helped me through the process, and without him I wouldn’t be able to overcome all of my health issues. I am grateful for all his help.I am beyond pleased with my experience with Dr. Kolski. It was a world away from previous experiences elsewhere. It was nice to be treated with professionalism and care - from the scheduler to Dr. Kolski. I had been to several other physicians and none of them were able to address my health issue. Dr. Kolski successfully did. In addition, I sincerely appreciate his diligent follow up. I would highly recommend Dr. Kolski to anyone who seeks expertise in cardiovascular care.