Heart and Vascular Institute Services

Aneurysm Repair – Repairs an enlarged and weakened section of the artery. This is done through a small incision in the femoral artery (located in a large muscle in the thigh and groin area).

Angioplasty – Widens a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel and may require using a patch of the artery. This can be accomplished through surgery, or a balloon and stent procedure.

Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) – A measurement used to evaluate one’s circulation in the legs and arms. Stress Testing – A physical or chemical test used to check for significant blockages in arteries.

Atrial Fibrillation – Occurs when the heart’s two small upper chambers beat irregularly.

Atrial Fibrillation Management – Treatment of the most common cardiac arrhythmia.

Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD) – Regulates the rhythm of the heart to a normal pattern. This may be done by pacing the heart, or by delivering a small shock to the heart muscle. This device is like a pacemaker, with wires in the vein leading to the heart to increase function.

Biventricular Defibrillators & Pacemakers – Electrical devices, surgically implanted under the skin, with wires leading to the heart. These devices regulate the heart’s rhythm by sending pulses into both pumping chambers (ventricles), and helps when the heart muscle is weak.

Cardiac Ablation – A non-invasive cardiac procedure that disrupts abnormal rhythms in the heart and restores a normal heartbeat.

Cardiac Arrhythmia Evaluation – A number of studies and tests, including Electrophysiology Studies, that are used as tools to diagnose heart rhythm disturbances.

Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography – Uses a CT scanner to look at the structure of the heart’s blood vessels.

Cardiac Electrophysiology – The study of the electrical system of the heart.

Carotid Ultrasound – A painless test used to determine the amount of plaque built up in the carotid arteries, located on each side of the neck. This aids in the detection of Carotid Artery Disease.

Coronary Stents & Angioplasty – A procedure used to open clogged arteries, improve symptoms of blocked arteries and prevent damage to the heart during a heart attack.

Cryoablation Therapy – Treats patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Defibrillator Implantation – The installation of a device that detects arrhythmias and delivers electrical therapy as necessary.

Diagnostic Arteriography – Allows doctors to view arteries in nearly every part of the body.

Diagnostic Cardiac Catherization – An invasive imaging test that determines how well the heart is working.

Echocardiography – Uses an echocardiogram to take a sonogram (picture) of the heart. This procedure can create 2-D, 3-D, or 4-D real-time images.

1. Transthoracic – Known as the “standard echo,” this echocardiogram is very simple and painless to perform
2. Transesophageal – Conducted by placing a probe in the patient’s esophagus
3. Stress – Combines the simple transthoracic echocardiogram with an exercise, or chemical stress test to show what the heart looks like when it is working harder

Endovascular Aneurysm Repair – Consists of a stent graft being placed in an enlarged, aneurysm-affected blood vessel.

Event Monitoring – A portable, heart-monitoring device that patients may plug into a telephone line to transmit data back and forth to the reviewing cardiologist.

Fainting Disorder Treatments – Treatment for a number of cardiac issues that cause fainting.

Follow-up for Pacemaker and Defibrillator Implantation – The monitoring and adjustment of pacemakers or ICDs after they have been installed. This includes remote (from home) testing.

Heart Failure Pacemakers and ICDs – The use of specialized devices to treat patients with congestive heart failure.

Heart Valve Surgery – Repairs or replaces the heart’s valves.

Holter Monitoring – Monitors the electrical activity of the heart with portable units worn for more than 24 hours.

Impedance Cardiography – Uses electrical signals to determine the blood flow properties through the aorta.

Implantable Cardiovascular Defibrillator (ICD) Check – Checking ICDs to insure they are working properly. ICDs aid in the correction of life-threatening heart rhythm problems; can also work as a pacemaker.

Lung Cancer Surgery (Thoracotomy) – Used to remove all or part of the lung affected by cancer.

Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgeries, including:

• Minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) (more information)
• Minimally invasive single coronary bypass surgery
• Minimally invasive mitral valve repair
• Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement
• Minimally invasive & hybrid coronary artery bypass graft procedures
• Minimally invasive maze procedures for abnormal heart rhythms

Pacemaker – Regulates a patient’s heartbeat with small electrical pulses.

• Micra Leadless Pacemaker (learn more)

Pacemaker Implantation – The installation of a device that regulates the heart’s rate and rhythm.

Peripheral Artery Disease – Refers to the development of blocked arteries outside the heart. This can be detected by conducting a simple screening known as an Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) Test.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) – Blockage of the arteries leading to the leg, causing pain and poor circulation. This is considered the most common form of Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD).

Peripheral Bypass Grafting – Treats Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) by creating a bypass around a section of a blocked artery.

Radio Frequency Catheter Ablation for Arrhythmia – A treatment used to destroy tissues that cause arrhythmias.

Renal Dialysis Access Ports – Conducted by installing ports into the arms or legs, allowing blood to be sent from a dialyzer to the body; leads to a quicker and more efficient dialysis.

Stage 2 Cardiac Rehab – An outpatient, monitored, supervised exercise program for patients.

Stage 3 Cardiac Rehab – An unmonitored, mildly supervised exercise program for patients who want to continue rehabilitation, after stage 2 rehab, with minimal support.

Stress Testing – A physical or chemical test used to check for significant blockages in arteries.

1. General Stress Testing – Performed by using either medication or physical exercise to check the heart’s function
2. Nuclear Cardiac Stress Testing – Requires an injection of radioactive medication into the bloodstream only seen by special equipment. This allows physicians to monitor and study the heart’s blood flow

Stent – A permanent device used to hold the artery open, improve blood flow to the heart muscle and relieve chest pain symptoms.

Surgical Approach to Esophageal Disease – Surgery performed to narrow the esophagus or treat esophageal cancer. This is accomplished through an incision in the abdomen and chest.

TactiCath™ Contact Force Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled™ – accurately and effectively treats  cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia. (learn more)

Tilt Table Testing – A testing to evaluate fainting and dizzy spells.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy – A minimally invasive surgical technique used to diagnose and treat problems in the chest. This is performed by making a small incision in the chest and inserting a small camera called a “thorascope.”