Cardiology

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for roughly one in every five deaths. Further, someone in the U.S. has a heart attack around every 40 seconds. If you or a loved one experiences chest pain, our emergency room can diagnose and treat heart attacks and chest pain, quickly and effectively.

Accredited as a Chest Pain Center by The Joint Commission, we are committed to providing our community with acute cardiac medicine. Our emergency cardiac team includes emergency-trained physicians, nurses, cardiologists and technicians who work together to establish a comprehensive management plan tailored to your chest pain.

At our hospital, we are able to use an advanced biplane suite to produce real-time, 3D images of blood vessels and overall blood flow. With the enhanced capabilities provided by the two rotating cameras in the biplane suite, our cardiovascular specialists are able to diagnose and treat a variety of disorders, including diseases of the heart, brain and blood vessels.

In addition to the biplane suite, we offer a range of cardiac diagnostic procedures, including:

• Angiograms, both cardiac and peripheral
• Aortic and carotid duplex ultrasounds
• Echocardiographs with 2D, 3D and transesophageal echocardiograms
• Electrocardiographs (EKG or ECG)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
• Stress tests with chemical and treadmill options

Echocardiography

Echocardiograms give your physician information about how well your heart is working. These ultrasound images offer clear images of the walls, chambers and size of your heart, and are a cornerstone of our program's ability to provide you with the best imaging possible.

Transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE)

TEE procedures are performed when your physician wants a closer look at your heart from inside your esophagus. These ultrasound images can give your physician information about diagnosing and treating diseases, infections, or problems with the walls or chambers of your heart.

Electrocardiography

We offer a 12-lead EKG, which is a recording of your heart's electrical signals. This recording gives your physician information regarding any potential issues with the electrical system of your heart. Sometimes a physician may want to see more than a 12-lead EKG test and may order a Holter monitor or an event monitor for you to wear for a longer period of time.

Fractional flow reserve (FFR)

FFR is a minimally invasive technique used when the physician wants more information to see if your blockage is obstructing the flow of oxygen to the heart muscle.

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)

IVUS is a minimally invasive technique used when your physician wants more information about a blockage from inside the vessel. An ultrasound probe at the end of a catheter allows the physician to see the inner walls of the coronary artery.

Stress tests

Stress tests allow your physician to see how your heart responds to exercise. To speed up your heart, this test may involve a treadmill and/or medication. Stress tests may also be performed in conjunction with an echocardiogram.

Our cardiologists use many forms of electrical devices and treatments to support heart health. Depending on your individual health goals and needs, our specialists may conduct an electrophysiology (EP) study, which helps assess your heart's electrical system and diagnose heart arrhythmia.

Pacemaker and device implantations

Our electrophysiologists implant pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) during minimally invasive outpatient procedures. Some of the pacemakers and devices we implant include:

• Heart failure system — A small pressure-sensing device that is implanted directly into the pulmonary artery, sending information wirelessly to your doctor.
• ICD device — A device that is implanted if you are at risk for sudden cardiac death.
• Loop recorder — A small device implanted or injected below the skin of your chest, no larger than a pack of gum, that can record any arrhythmias for up to three years.
• Pacemaker — A device that regulates the beating of the heart by delivering an electrical impulse through electrodes connected to the heart muscle, allowing you to recover quickly.

We always use the least invasive method possible to effectively treat your heart and vascular conditions.

We provide a wide range of minimally invasive procedures, including:

• Abdominal angiogram with runoff
• Angioplasty
• Atherectomy
• Atrial fibrillation (AFib) ablation
• Atrial flutter
• Cardiac catheterization
• Fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio (IFR)
• Intravascular and coronary ultrasounds
• Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement
• Pacemaker and device implantations
• Pericardiocentesis
• Stenting (both coronary and peripheral)
• Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
• TEE and cardioversion
• Thrombectomy and thrombolytic therapy
• Venograms
• Venous stasis stenting

Pericardiocentesis

Pericardiocentesis is performed to analyze fluid around the heart and involves a strict sterile procedure with a needle, which is inserted into the pericardial sac.

Stent placements

Stents are small tubes made of metal that are implanted in the coronary arteries and have been found to help decrease the chance that your blockage will reoccur. Stents are inserted on a balloon catheter and expanded in place to open the blockage in the coronary artery.

Cardiac catheterization (cath) treatments

Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure, which allows your physician to evaluate your heart, arteries and how well the heart is pumping. Coronary artery disease can lead to a blockage of the arteries that bring oxygen to your heart. Heart attacks occur when a blockage closes off one of these arteries. Cardiac catheterization, along with angioplasty and stent placement, can minimize the potential for permanent muscle damage when treated quickly.

Our two cardiac cath labs offer state-of-the-art technology and equipment. We also have a dedicated cardiac nurse navigator who guides you throughout your cardiac care journey.

Angiography

Catheter angiography involves guiding a catheter through an artery or vein in your groin and injecting the dye to find the narrowed area of a blood vessel. Then, the narrowed area is either widened with an angioplasty, medication is administered or a stent is implanted to allow the vessel to remain open.

Angioplasty and atherectomy

Angioplasty and atherectomy can be performed at the same time as cardiac catheterization. With an angioplasty, when a blockage in the coronary artery is found to be significant, a balloon catheter is inserted into the area and the blockage is opened. With an atherectomy, a device is inserted that cuts plaque from the wall of the artery.