Article Contributed on: 10/24/2007 1:00:24 PM
Platte Valley Medical Center in Brighton opened its newest treasure this month; a $1.2 million Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and advanced digital technology to provide cardiologists with fast, precise images of the heart for diagnosing blockages in the coronary arteries.
Through a dynamic partnership with Colorado Heart Institute, one of the state's leading authorities on heart catheterization programs, Platte Valley Medical Center is able to bring its first heart program to the community.
"The opening of our Cath Lab marks a critical element in our cardiovascular program," states Kurt Gensert, director of Emergency, Trauma and Critical Care Services. "The cardiac imaging system in our Cath Lab allows our cardiologists to obtain extremely high quality images of the heart. As a result, we are able to accurately diagnose coronary heart diseases and disorders and develop the most appropriate medical treatment plans for our patients. Our goal initially is to assure the safety and quality of care through diagnostic services. As the service line matures, we intend to introduce a full interventional cardiovascular team approach to care at PVMC."
Under the medical direction of Cardiologist Arif Rohilla, M.D., the Cardiac Cath Lab will offer inpatient and outpatient diagnostic procedures using digital technology that allows cardiologists to instantaneously see clear images of a patient's coronary anatomy. This technology not only provides clear resolution of one's heart arteries, it assists the cardiologists in making timely decisions regarding their patient's evaluations. For example, during the exam, the cardiologist is able to immediately see if there are artery blockages and to what extent heart disease may or may not be present. The cardiologist is able to quickly establish a plan of action for the patient. Some patients with mild to moderate disease will be treated medically and others with significant disease may need an interventional procedure like balloon angioplasty, coronary stent or heart surgery. In the case of intervention, patients are stabilized in PVMC's Intensive Care Unit and then transferred to the Colorado Heart Institute at Aurora Medical Center.
"For the first time in the history of Brighton, Colorado, the services of Cardiac Catheterization are available to the community," states Cardiologist Arif Rohilla, M.D. "Not only are we able to provide diagnostic coronary angiography that accurately determines the extent of coronary artery disease (blockage in the heart arteries) and target appropriate treatment modality, we are able to provide pacemaker capabilities, measure real-time hemodynamics (pressures in the heart chambers for patients with heart failure and pulmonary hypertension), do tilt table testing and perform electrical cardioversion. We are also actively involved in expanding our Cardiovascular team and program and will be able to provide interventional services in the future. Our goal is to keep expanding our services as our program grows and be able to provide quality care for patients with heart disease right here in Brighton."
About Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a very important part of diagnosing cardiovascular disease and provides the most accurate and detailed information about how the heart is working. In simple terms, cardiac catheterization is a sophisticated diagnostic procedure that gives the cardiologist a guided tour of the inside of the heart. Utilizing x-ray technology to obtain real-time images of the moving heart, the cath lab procedure provides complex and precise images for proper diagnosis of heart disease.
The purpose of cardiac catheterization is to explore the heart's structure and identify problems such as clogged arteries before a heart attack occurs. The results of this exploration help the cardiologist decide what the most appropriate treatment for the patient is. Doctors can also diagnose a number of heart conditions such as coronary heart disease, defective heart valves and congenital heart defects through cardiac catheterization procedures.
Cardiovascular Service Line at PVMC
According to the American Heart Association, more than 58 million Americans have one or more types of cardiovascular disease, which includes vessels supplying blood to the heart and other major organs. Early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease is essential and cardiac angiography is widely considered the gold standard for examination and evaluation.
In addition to the brand new Cardiac Cath Lab, Platte Valley Medical Center offers many state-of-the-art diagnostic and rehabilitation programs for its heart patients. Services include one of the most advanced telemetry monitoring programs in Colorado, a 16-bed Intensive Care and Step Down Patient Unit, Nuclear Medicine Imaging Services, Phase 1 Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and state-of-the-art non-invasive 64-slice CT heart scans which deliver high-speed, high-resolution 3D heart images.
About Platte Valley Medical Center
Platte Valley Medical Center in Brighton, Colorado, is one of the most leading-edge hospitals in Colorado in the areas of medical imaging, wireless technology, special care nursery design, and high-definition integrated operating room technology. PVMC is also one of the only community-owned hospitals in the metro Denver area, governed by a community board where decisions are made at a local level.
Honored as a national award winner for exceeding patient expectations by Avatar International, Inc., PVMC offers excellent nurse-to-patient ratios to enhance one-on-one care, while utilizing an advanced level of technology. The original Brighton Community Hospital was founded 47 years ago by Brighton residents and the new regional medical center, which opened July 10, is located just west of I-76 between 144th Avenue and Bromley Lane at 1600 Prairie Center Parkway in Brighton, Colorado.
CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION LAB FACTS, FIGURES & KEY SERVICES
v The $1.2 million Cardiac Cath Lab at Platte Valley Medical Center is 6,000 square feet with four preparation rooms, one exam room for tilt table testing, one diagnostic procedure suite, and a private consultation room for cardiologists, patients and their families.
v Cardiac Cath Lab offer inpatient and outpatient diagnostic procedures using digital technology that allows cardiologists to instantaneously see clear images of a patient's coronary anatomy.
v Services Include:
Cardiac Catheterization - a sophisticated diagnostic procedure that gives the cardiologist a guided tour of the inside of the heart. Utilizing x-ray technology to obtain real-time images of the moving heart, the cath lab procedure provides complex and precise images for proper diagnosis of heart disease.
Pacemaker Installation - a small, lightweight electronic devices prescribed for people whose hearts are beating too slowly. The device sits in the chest, connected to the heart, and helps the heart regulate its beating.
Tilt Table Testing - helps diagnose neurocardiogenic syncope (patients who pass out with low heart rate and low blood pressure). This simple test helps doctors pinpoint the cause of fainting.
Cardioversion - is a procedure that electrically converts an abnormal rhythm and converts it to a heart's normal rhythm.