Cardiovascular Diagnostic Services Offered at Memorial Hospital West
When Is Cardiac Catheterization Recommended?
Cardiac catheterization asses how well the heart is functioning and can reveal blockages in coronary arteries.
A cardiologist may recommend the procedure if you experience:
- Recurring, unexplained chest pain
- Abnormal stress test results
- Shortness of breath or other symptoms of heart valve disease
- Heart failure with suspected coronary heart disease
- Angina that is not easily controlled with medication
- Cardiac catheterization usually takes 30 to 40 minutes to perform, with the patient remaining in the hospital for four to six hours for observation.
January 2005 — According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the United States, claiming one victim every 34 seconds. Many of those deaths might have been prevented through early detection.
Serving the needs of the residents of Southwestern Broward County, Memorial Hospital West has expanded its cardiovascular services to include some of the most advanced diagnostic technology.
“As the western portions of Broward County continue to grow, so does the demand for various healthcare services,” says Zeff Ross, Administrator of Memorial Hospital West. “We are proud to be able to serve our community by offering the very latest in cardiac services in their own back yard.”
One leading-edge diagnostic service available at Memorial Hospital West is cardiac catheterization. Performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis, it is used when a patient is experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath or other cardiac symptoms. The procedure involves the use of a 2-millimeter, flexible tube (called a catheter), which is inserted through a vein or artery to the heart and into a coronary artery. A dye is then injected through the catheter, which can be seen as it moves through the heart and blood vessels. Images of the coronary arteries and the left ventricle (the heart’s main pumping chamber) are produced for evaluation by experienced physicians.
Under the direction of Bassel Ibrahim, MD, Medical Director of Cardiac Catheterization Services at Memorial Hospital West and cardiologist on the medical staff at Memorial Regional Hospital and Memorial Hospital Pembroke, the 18-member Cardiovascular Team is using GE Medical Systems’ brand-new, all-digital imaging system for effective diagnoses. This leading-edge technology enables physicians, Cardiovascular Technicians and Registered Nurses to obtain exceptional views of the heart and surrounding blood vessels. They can see blockages in the coronary arteries, measure pressure in the pulmonary artery and evaluate how the heart is functioning. With faster, more accurate diagnoses of cardiovascular disease, doctors can act more quickly to provide lifesaving treatments. In addition, the team can implant and maintain pacemakers to help patients with congestive heart failure and other conditions.
Enhancing Cardiac Care
In January 2005, the Cardiovascular Team also will offer emergency, around-the-clock PTCAs (Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasties) for patients who are experiencing a heart attack. During an acute heart attack, blood cannot flow through an artery due to a blockage caused by a blood clot and/or plaque buildup. Because “time is muscle,” prompt treatment is imperative to prevent the heart muscle from becoming irreversibly damaged. PTCA involves the use of a balloon to open obstructed arteries and in most cases may include placement of a tiny wire-mesh tube (a stent) inside the artery to keep it open. If you have concerns about cardiovascular disease, please see your physician. For referral to a physician, please call Memorial Physician Referral Service toll-free at (800) 944-DOCS.