Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute — Providing
Leading-Edge Cardiovascular Intervention and Treatment
Comprehensive Testing
Early diagnosis is vital to addressing cardiovascular conditions before they become a problem. Memorial Cardiac & Vascular Institute emplys a wide range of tests to pinpoint specific concerns such as:
3-D Cardiac Mapping
Uses advanced technology similar to GPS (global positioning satellite) to determine the exact location of an irregular heart rhythm
Echocardiogram
Uses sound waves to evaluate the motion of the heart’s chambers and valves
Electrocardiogram (EKG OR ECG)
Records the electrical activity of the heart through small patches attached to the chest
Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization
Involves inserting a think catheter into the artery or vein of an arm or leg, injecting a contrast agent and taking X-rays to identify blockages or other abnormalities
LightSpeed™ CT Heart Scan
Measures plaque and calcium deposits in the arteries through a quick, non-invasive procedure
Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA)
Helps define the specific location of a blockage or narrowing
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Provides highly accurate imaging of the heart from multiple angles to detect damage
February 2005 — In an effort to dramatically improve survival rates against America’s #1 killer, Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute offers an extensive scope of services dedicated to preventing, detecting, treating and managing the consequences of cardiovascular disease.
The Institute’s full complement of highly skilled specialists includes interventional and clinical cardiologists, interventional radiologists, cardiac anesthesiologists, and adult and pediatric cardiovascular surgeons. This multidisciplinary program combines the expertise of specialists with some of the most sophisticated diagnostic and treatment technology available.
Cardiac Treatment
“Approximately 75 percent of people who have died from cardiac events have survived a previous heart attack or have known risk factors,” says Raul Mitrani, MD, Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at Memorial Regional Hospital.
For this reason, Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute works closely with high-risk patients. A treatment option that may help prevent a potentially fatal cardiac event is an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), a small, battery-powered device that monitors the heart’s rhythm and delivers electrical pulses, or shocks, when the rhythm is rapid and sustained. An ICD also can work like a pacemaker to treat slow heartbeats. Biventricular ICDs, a specific type of ICD, control both lower heart chambers, or ventricles, to help control the symptoms of congestive heart failure.
Cardiac catheterizations can be used for diagnostic purposes, as well as to perform angioplasties, where a catheter is inserted into the artery and a balloon is temporarily inflated to open a blockage. Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute performs more cardiac catheterizations and angioplasties than any other hospital in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.
Additionally, a cylindrical stent can be inserted into the blood vessel, where it is expanded and remains permanently in place to help keep the blood vessel open. “Drug-eluting, or drug-coated, stents could be the most effective way yet of preventing restenosis, or the narrowing or re-closure of blood vessels following angioplasty,” says Bassel B. Ibrahim, MD, Director of Interventional Cardiology at Memorial Regional Hospital and Medical Director of Cardiac Catheterization Services at Memorial Hospital West.
If the blockage is severe enough, bypass surgery — a common medical procedure — may be required to reroute, or “bypass,” blood through grafted vessels around clogged arteries. What’s new, however, is that delicate bypass surgery can now be performed robotically. The da Vinci® Surgical System features a 3-D, highly magnified view of the surgical site and miniature instruments that precisely mimic the movements of the surgeon’s hands. Patients benefit from smaller incisions, reduced bleeding, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery.
Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute is also a leader in minimally invasive, “off pump” procedures. Without stopping the heart or splitting the breastbone (sternotomy), minimally invasive surgery is appropriate for coronary artery bypass, cardiac valve replacement and atrial septal defect repair. It often yields optimal results for patients who do not require traditional open heart surgery.
If you are concerned about your risk for heart disease or stroke and would like a referral to one of our highly qualified physicians, call Memorial Physician Referral Service toll-free at (800) 944-DOCS.