Innovations in Cardiology
Major Breakthroughs in Cardiology, Cardiac Implants and Electrophysiciology
December 2006 — Memorial's Cardiac and Vascular Institute is helping to advance cardiac care by using new technology to revolutionize how doctors are treating cardiac cases.
Part of Memorial Regional Hospital, the cardiac catheterization lab ("cath lab") is the place in South Florida to find breakthroughs in invasive cardiology, cardiac implants and electrophysiology.
The cath lab, which performs more cardiac catherizations and angioplasties than any hospital in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, puts ever-improving technology in the hands of skilled physicians to attain the best possible outcome. Among the innovations: three-dimensional imaging of the heart, wireless communication between pacemakers and doctors' offices, and echo probes that use high-frequency sound waves to evaluate the heart.
Sophisticated Technology
Cath lab services include catheter-based radiofrequency ablation for arrhythmia, a minimally invasive image-guided procedure. "This procedure uses three-dimensional imaging of the heart, a technique that's more precise than previous procedures, which relied on wires and one-dimensional images," says Raul Mitrani, MD, Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at the Cardiac and Vascular Institute, and a cardiologist with Memorial Regional Hospital, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Memorial Hospital West and Memorial Hospital Pembroke. "We're also using intracardiac echocardiography, where a tiny probe is placed inside the heart to further help us achieve safer and more effective results."
Advanced Cardiac Treatment
Gaston Barrocas, a 59-year-old accountant, relied on medication to keep his heart condition in check for more than two years. Barrocas says, "I was always tired. I couldn't do anything; I didn't even want to leave my house." He also had several fainting episodes and could not be out in the sun. His pulse would be racing in the morning before he even got out of bed.
Barrocas consulted Dr. Mitrani, who performed catheter-based radiofrequency ablation to eliminate the tissue that was causing the symptoms. Barrocas says he knew the procedure was a success almost immediately. "When I woke up after the surgery I felt great. I knew everything would be fine." The procedure, he says, has helped him reclaim his life. Now he can enjoy even the simple things most people take for granted, like going outside or taking a walk. "I can do so many things I wasn't able to do before," he says.
Cardiac Care Breakthroughs
Another breakthrough in cardiac care is in the implantation of pacemakers and bi-ventricular defibrillators for patients with congestive heart failure. "We offer patients the newest pacemakers and defibrillators available in the U.S.," notes Dr. Mitrani. This equipment wirelessly communicates to the doctor's office from home monitoring stations. Now, through phone lines, doctors can receive information regarding the patient's status and the defibrillator's functionality.
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