Michael S. Chen, MD, FACC, FSCAI, RPVI in Baltimore: Invasive Cardiology and Peripheral Vascular Imaging
Michael S. Chen operates an interventional cardiology practice in Baltimore that specializes in diagnostic coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention (stent placement), and peripheral vascular imaging—an uncommon combination of skills that places him outside the general cardiology mainstream and into the territory of invasive specialists who diagnose and treat advanced coronary disease and blood vessel problems without open surgery.
What this practice actually is
Chen holds three credentials that clarify his scope: FACC (Fellow of the American College of Cardiology), FSCAI (Fellow of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions), and RPVI (Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation). The RPVI designation, granted after completion of formal training and examination in ultrasound and imaging of the peripheral arteries and veins, is the least common credential among Baltimore cardiologists and marks him as someone who evaluates not only heart vessels but also leg and neck blood vessels. Most general cardiologists in Baltimore refer peripheral vascular cases out; Chen handles both, reducing the number of referrals a patient must navigate. His board certification in internal medicine and cardiology anchors him in evidence-based practice.
Services and scope
Chen's practice centers on three major areas. Diagnostic coronary angiography involves threading a catheter from the groin or wrist into the heart's arteries to visualize blockages and assess blood flow; this is definitive diagnosis for chest pain or positive stress tests. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) uses the same access to deploy stents (expandable metal scaffolds) into narrowed coronary arteries, restoring blood flow without bypass surgery. This is appropriate for patients with stable angina, acute coronary syndromes, or high-risk blockages documented by angiography. Peripheral vascular imaging uses ultrasound to evaluate arteries and veins in the legs and neck, assessing for stenosis (narrowing), thrombosis, or aneurysm; patients with claudication (leg pain on walking), diabetic foot ulcers, or carotid disease are candidates.
Pricing is not standardized and depends on insurance, facility affiliation, and whether intervention is performed; confirm specifics with the office. Diagnostic angiography may fall under facility fees if performed at an outpatient center; stent placement is more costly and typically requires hospital billing. Insurance coverage is high for indicated cases, though prior authorization may be required.
How it compares to Baltimore cardiology options
Baltimore cardiologists cluster into general practitioners (ejection fraction measurement, medication adjustment, risk factor counseling) and invasive specialists (angiography and intervention). Within invasive cardiology, most practices in the city focus on coronary disease alone; the addition of RPVI-level peripheral vascular imaging is less common. At University of Maryland Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital, invasive cardiologists are available, but they typically refer peripheral imaging to vascular surgeons or interventional radiologists, creating a multi-provider pathway. Mercy Medical Center Baltimore also houses invasive cardiologists. Chen's combination of skills can shorten that pathway for patients needing evaluation of both coronary and leg arteries—for example, someone with chest pain and concurrent leg claudication can have both systems imaged and treated in one setting rather than bouncing between specialists.
Choose a general cardiologist (Mercy or Hopkins primary-care cardiology) if your needs are medication management and lifestyle counseling for known stable disease. Choose an invasive cardiologist like Chen if you have chest pain or positive stress testing that requires angiography or if your primary care doctor suspects significant blockage warranting intervention. Choose Chen specifically if you also have signs of peripheral vascular disease (leg pain on walking, poor wound healing in the feet, carotid bruits on physical exam) and want both coronary and peripheral vessels assessed by one practitioner.
Who this practice suits and does not suit
This practice suits patients with documented or suspected coronary artery disease who are candidates for catheterization and intervention, and patients with leg or neck vascular disease needing advanced imaging beyond what a primary-care ultrasound can provide. It suits patients who prefer consolidated care and want to avoid multiple referrals. It does not suit patients seeking preventive cardiovascular counseling without evidence of significant disease; they should start with a general cardiologist or internist. It does not suit patients with contraindications to catheterization (severe renal disease, iodine allergy) or those seeking second opinions on medical management alone.
What the first visit involves
New patients typically receive a referral from their primary care doctor or cardiologist after abnormal stress testing, angiography performed elsewhere, or worsening symptoms. At the initial appointment, Chen or his team review cardiac history, obtain an EKG, and assess eligibility for catheterization if that is the planned next step. If angiography is scheduled, the patient meets with the catheterization laboratory staff to discuss access site (wrist or groin), sedation, and recovery protocol. Fasting is required the night before angiography. Patients are asked about iodine allergy and kidney function, as dye used during the procedure is cleared through the kidneys. Same-day discharge is standard for diagnostic angiography; if a stent is placed, overnight observation may be necessary.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Verify current hours with the office directly, as interventional practice hours often depend on operating suite availability and emergency calls. Diagnostic angiography and elective stenting are typically scheduled Monday through Friday. Parking details and office location vary by facility affiliation; Chen's practice is based in Baltimore and connected to one of the major hospital systems for procedures. Bring photo ID, insurance card, and a list of medications to the first visit.
A cardiologist with invasive credentials and peripheral vascular imaging expertise is uncommon enough in Baltimore that patients with combined coronary and leg artery disease often benefit from consolidated evaluation rather than the standard multi-referral route.
