12 Lead Electrocardiogram
Physicians use this monitor at every cardiac clinic visit to evaluate the rhythm of the heart and exclude any new or old heart damage. It involves placing leads on the chest of the patient and recording electrical impulses.
Arrhythmia Management
The practice evaluates arrhythmias (i.e. palpitations, irregular heart beat or rapid heart beat) using either a 24-hour Holter Monitor or an Event Recorder.
Cardiac Catheterization
This is an invasive procedure performed in the hospital as a same day procedure. It involves the placement of a catheter in the heart and the administration of contrast (dye) to visualize the coronary arteries and the heart chambers. It must be ordered by a physician.
Cardiology Clinic
This is a full service clinic that addresses all aspects of the cardiac care and management of the adult patient. This includes angina, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, hyperlipidemia and other major cardiac problems. All physicians see patients in this clinic, by appointment only. The clinic hours are from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. The following list includes some of the major illnesses and special focuses of this clinic: Post Heart Attack Management Post Coronary Bypass Surgery Follow Up Interventional Follow Up (i.e. Post Coronary Angioplasty/Stent) Hyperlipidemia Congestive Heart Failure Hypertension All Arrhythmia (i.e. Atrial Fibrillation, Heart Block, Ventricular Tachycardia) Peripheral Vascular Disease Cardiovascular and Coronary Risk Assessment Syncope (i.e. Fainting or Collapsing) Chest Pain/Angina.
Coumadin Clinic
This clinic monitors the bleeding time of patients, who are taking Coumadin (a blood thinner also known as Wafarin), and makes adjustments, as needed, to Coumadin dosages to maintain a therapeutic level. Patients receive referrals from the Cardiology Clinic for this service.
Echocardiogram
This “ultrasound” for the heart provides physicians with an effective method for evaluating the structure of the heart as well as heart valves, cardiac chamber sizes and function. This test must be ordered by a physician.
Echocardiogram Stress
Test: This test incorporates the combination of a regular stress test and the technology of an ultrasound for the heart. Physicians perform echocardiograms immediately prior and after a scheduled stress test, and then compare results to identify any changes that indicate or confirm a blocked coronary artery. It provides a more detailed and accurate assessment of the cardiovascular system.
Hospital Based Practice
This group also provides in-hospital management and treatment of acutely ill cardiac patients. The physicians are trained and board certified to practice both in the intensive care and the acute care ward. All acute and chronic cardiac related illnesses, such as acute heart attack, unstable angina, congestive heart failure and life threatening arrhythmia, can be addressed by this group.
Interventional Cardiology
This is an invasive procedure performed in the hospital as an overnight procedure. It involves the placement of a catheter in the heart to perform an intervention (repair) of a mechanical problem in the heart. Below is a list of interventions performed by this practice:
1. Coronary angioplasty and stent placement – involves inflating a balloon in the critically blocked area to re-establish blood flow. Most of the time this is followed by deploying a stent to the same area to reinforce the opening and maintain long term flow.
2. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) – visualizes coronary obstructions and assists in efforts to optimize the results of stent placement.
3. Peripheral vascular angioplasty and stent placement – involves placing stents (similar to coronary angioplasty) in other arteries outside the heart, such as the femoral artery.
4. Valvuloplasty – provides a temporary alternative to patients who are too sick to undergo open heart surgery and have severe heart valve disease (when the aortic or mitral valve becomes stiff and immobile, and obstructs blood flow). It involves placing a balloon across the obstructed valve and inflating it to improve blood flow and cardiac output.
Permanent & Temporary Pacemaker Placement
Physicians utilize the latest in cardiac pacing technology to place pacemakers in patients who need them. When a patient experiences complete heart blockage or if the heart completely stops beating, then he or she will require a pacemaker. A pacemaker takes over the function of pacing the heart and keeping it beating. Both temporary and permanent pacemakers can be placed depending on the indication. This practice also provides some office follow up in the management of pacemakers, please see below:
1. Pacemaker Clinic – monitors the battery life and function of the permanent pacemaker. It involves both phone calls and office visits at regular intervals to assess the pacemaker.
2. Automated Internal Cardiac Defibrillator clinic (AICD) –a specialized-type of pacemaker designed to shock the heart when it goes into a life threatening arrhythmia. The office provides a clinic to check battery life and function for this pacemaker on a regularly scheduled basis.
Nuclear Cardiology
The office offers the following two tests to assess the risk of a heart attack and heart failure in patients. Both tests must be ordered by a physician, before they can be performed.
1. Nuclear Stress Test – assesses coronary arteries for blockage and risk of heart attack.
2. Nuclear Cardiac Function– assesses the size, shape and strength of the heart.
Electronic Medical Records: EMR
State of the art software that helps track patient care outcomes and assist with patient management and organizing of clinical information for clinicians.
