Cardiology

Our specialists 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 that use 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 you perform 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, we have thoracic surgeons who treat:

• Benign lung and chest tumors
• Cancerous lung and chest tumors
• Chest infections
• Diseases affecting the lungs and chest
• Emphysema
• Mesothelioma
• Pleural disease, including pneumothorax, infections and pleural effusions

Interventional cardiac procedures

Our cardiologists offer the following interventional cardiac procedures:

• 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
• Left and right catheter ventricular assist device
• Mitral valve or aortic valvuloplasty

Structural heart therapies

Performed using a catheter, structural heart therapies are minimally invasive procedures. They are used as alternatives to long-term blood-thinner medications to help treat faulty heart valves or reduce stroke risk. 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

Our experienced vascular and endovascular teams use minimally invasive techniques and the latest technology to achieve high-quality surgical outcomes.

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 perform the following surgical vascular procedures:

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

When you are experiencing heart attack symptoms, our team provides care based on lifesaving, results-driven standards. They will work as fast as possible to ensure you are treated.

The Code ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) protocol enables a specially trained cardiac care team to assemble quickly. Emergency medicine specialists use Code STEMI to remain prepared for interventional procedures, which can lead to 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 a thin, flexible tube called an electrode catheter 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 advanced 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 enables us to offer advanced care for individuals who have experienced a cardiac event or who need extra attention following a heart procedure.

For less critical cases, we have a step-down telemetry, or continuous heart monitoring, post-treatment nursing area.

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

Our dedicated lung nodule nurse navigator will guide you for the entirety of your journey. They 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.