Cardiology

Our specialists work closely together with you to screen for heart conditions and abnormalities using the latest diagnostic tests and methods, including:

• Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan: detailed scan of the heart and its blood vessels
• Cardiac stress test: test monitoring the heart's activity during exercise using electrodes
• Electrocardiograph (EKG): test using electrodes attached to the skin to record the heart's electric activity
• Echocardiograph: imaging test of the heart which shows current blood flow through the heart and blood vessels, as well as the size, color and motion of the heart
• Endomyocardial biopsy: technique that takes a sample of the myocardial tissue
• Filmless heart imaging: screening tests using fully digital images to view and assess the condition of the heart and coronary arteries
• Holter monitoring: screening method during which the electrical activity of the heart is recorded as a patient performs daily activities
• Intravascular ultrasound: diagnostic procedure that uses an ultrasound to view the coronary arteries and measure the plaque buildup
• Vascular and arterial imaging: tests using high-frequency sound waves to create images which show the flow of blood and overall state of the vascular region

We use medical and surgical interventions to help restore flow to the heart and correct abnormalities. Some of these treatments and procedures include:

• Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm repair
• Bentall procedure
• Coronary artery bypass
• Esophageal repair
• Lobectomy
• Percutaneous removal of intravascular materials
• Peripheral vascular surgery
• Robotic lung resection
• Tricuspid, mitral and aortic heart valve repair or replacements
• Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Cardiothoracic surgical services

In addition to our cardiovascular surgical services and treatments, we have thoracic surgeons who treat:

• Cancerous and noncancerous tumors and diseases of the lungs and chest area
• Chest infections
• Emphysema
• Mesothelioma
• Pleural diseases (including pneumothorax, infections and pleural effusions)

Lung Nodule Program

To help with the early detection and treatment of lung cancer, physicians may refer patients who meet specific screening criteria for a low dose CT scan. This will be read by a board-certified radiologist with results sent back to the referring physician. If you need follow-up care, an appointment is fast-tracked with the appropriate specialist.

From beginning to end, our dedicated Lung Nodule Nurse Navigator will guide you. They will also work hand-in-hand with a Lung Cancer Navigator through our partnership with Sarah Cannon, powered by HCA Healthcare, to transition you to oncology services if needed.

Interventional cardiac procedures

Interventional cardiac procedures we offer include:

• Atherectomy
• Carotid stenting
• Catheter-assisted thrombolysis
• Coronary (balloon) angioplasty
• Cutting balloon angioplasty
• Extracorporeal support solution (ECMO)
• Intracoronary stent implantation
• Laser atherectomy
• Left and right cardiac catheterization (diagnostic and treatment technique)
• Left and right catheter ventricular assist device
• Mitral valve or aortic valvuloplasty

Structural heart therapies

Structural heart therapies are minimally invasive procedures. They are used to treat faulty heart valves or help reduce stroke risk (as alternatives to long-term blood-thinner medication usage). These procedures are performed using a catheter instead of making a large incision in the chest. We typically use these advanced methods as part of our structural heart care program.

Three of our structural heart procedures are:

• Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER): fixes a leaky mitral valve (a condition called mitral regurgitation)
• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): replaces a narrowed heart valve that won’t open properly (a condition called aortic stenosis)
• Left atrial appendage closure (LAAO) implant: closes off an area of the heart to keep harmful blood clots in the left atrial appendage from entering the blood stream and potentially causing a stroke

Vascular care

Our experienced vascular and endovascular teams use the latest technology and minimally invasive procedures for higher quality vascular surgery and care.

Interventional vascular procedures we offer include:

• Atherectomy
• Biopsies
• Carotid, aorta or leg stenting
• Cerebral aneurysm coiling, balloon or stenting
• Thrombectomy
• Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)

Surgical vascular procedures we offer include:

• Arterial venus fistula creation and revision
• Carotid endarterectomy
• Catheter insertions for long-term care, including chemotherapy and dialysis
• Femoral popliteal bypass

When a patient is experiencing heart attack symptoms, our team provides rapid care based on lifesaving, results-driven standards. They will work as fast as possible to ensure you are treated right away, saving your heart tissue and possibly even your life.

Specifically, our emergency care services use the "Code STEMI" (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) protocol. As part of this, a specially trained cardiac care team quickly assembles and is ready to treat a patient and perform any interventional procedures the patient needs. For patients, this translates into increased survival rates and decreased brain damage.

Don't take heart attack symptoms lightly. If you believe someone is experiencing a heart attack, immediately call 911.

Cardiac EP is the field of medicine dedicated to arrhythmias and other conditions related to the heart’s electrical system. EP studies typically involve the insertion of an electrode catheter (thin, flexible tube) into the heart.

Our physicians use our EP Lab to provide EP studies and advanced diagnostic services in these cases. They offer multiple modalities to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib), atrial flutter and other heart rhythm disorders.

Our EP lab has state-of the-art technology capable of performing a wide range of procedures, including:

• Atrioventricular nodal conduction recording
• Atrial and ventricular pacing and recording
• Cardiac 3D mapping
• Cardiac ablations and implantations (including laser ablation and ablation with mapping)
• Device implantations, including:
  • Automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD)
  • Bi-ventricular (BiV) pacemaker implantation and maintenance
  • Loop recorder
  • Pacemaker implantation and maintenance
• EP studies
• Laser lead extractions
• Tilt-table test
• Transesophageal echocardiogram

Our cardiovascular treatment facilities include a CVICU with intensive beds. The CVICU allows us to offer advanced care for patients who have experienced a cardiac event, such as heart attack, or who need extra attention following a heart procedure.

For less critical patients, we have a step-down telemetry (continuous heart monitoring) post-treatment nursing area.