Offer the Gift of Hope: Donate Life
Still not convinced? Read about the deep and lasting appreciation that Donald Wong and his wife Kathy have experienced thanks to the donor who provided him with a new heart. Almost anyone can be an organ donor. Limitations include those with HIV infection, active cancer or systemic infections, but your doctor can advise you further if you have concerns. Minorities are also encouraged to sign up, as there is always a higher need among certain groups due to the disproportionate number of people affected by such illnesses diabetes or high blood pressure. To learn more visit Organdonor.gov. To sign up, simply log on to your state's organ donor registry. Click here to read more about National efforts to raise awareness regarding the powerful impact organ donation has made on thousands of lives every year. For information about heart health or our cardiac care services, please visit CFCVI online or call our free Consult-A-Nurse service at 1-800-447-8206. . |
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This February 14th consider making a very important commitment. While it is easier and cheaper than sending chocolates and roses, this commitment could actually change someone's life. Consider registering to become an
Heart-Healthy Barbecue Tips
Meats:
Sides:
Drinks:
With some creative thinking, you can trade out old barbecuing habits and recipes for new heart-healthy ones that are soon to become favorites for your family and for your body. Do you have more questions about heart-healthy diet choices and nutrition? Please visit our website or call 407-518-3811. Source: Summer Barbeque Tips (American Heart Association)
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Vascular UltrasoundVascular ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to examine blood circulation and create images of veins and arteries. It’s often used to examine areas of the neck, arms and legs. Why is it done? How is it done? What are the risks and possible side effects? Is it painful? How is an ultrasound different from an x-ray? How do I get the results? For more information about diagnostic testing and procedures at CFCVI, please visit our website or call 407-518-3811.
Sources: Ultrasound – Vascular (RadiologyInfo.org) Vascular Ultrasound (VascularUltrasound.net)
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What Is a Cardiovascular Decision Unit?Have you ever been concerned that you might be experiencing a cardiac episode that requires immediate medical attention? That trip to the hospital can be very nerve-wracking as you wonder just how serious your condition might be. Hopefully, your condition won’t be serious. But your physician may still require that you be carefully evaluated in the Cardiovascular Decision Unit. So what happens in this unit exactly? During a 23-hour observation period, patients are closely monitored to assess the severity of their condition. Whether it is some slight arrhythmia or the early signs of a heart attack, the staff will carefully observe the patient’s cardiovascular activity. And in the case of a medical emergency, physicians have immediate access to all of the hospital’s facilities and resources. Unlike an E.R., the Cardiovascular Decision Unit offers patients privacy during their stay. Family members may also visit as long as the patient is not being monitored. Both patients and their families have access to all of the hospital’s amenities during their time in the Cardiovascular Decision Unit. Do you have further questions about this facility? Please visit our website or contact us at (407) 846-2266. Source: Specialized Services (CFCVI) Related Post: |
The Cardiovascular Step-Down UnitWhether you have experienced complex valve repair or less invasive angioplasty, heart surgery requires a significant period of recovery for every patient. Immediately after surgery, you will be transferred to the cardiovascular intensive care unit where your cardiac team and cardiothoracic nurses evaluate your condition around the clock. Eventually, however, you will be well enough to transfer to our cardiovascular step-down unit (CVSD). What to Expect in the CVSDWhile you are in the CVSD, your cardiac recovery will be closely monitored using the following methods:
Source: Cardiovascular Step-Down Unit (CFCVI) Related Post: |
What is a Hybrid Operating Room?Did you know that Osceola Regional Medical Center is the only hospital in Osceola County with a cardiovascular hybrid operating room? While an impressive fact, you are probably wondering what a cardiovascular hybrid operating room is actually used for. Here is some insight about this state-of-the-art facility now available to cardiac patient’s right here in Central Florida. Depending on the severity, cardiac patients have a variety of needs that often require multiple procedures to occur at the same time. A hybrid operating room allows for just that. Patients can undergo minimally invasive catheter-based studies of the heart’s behavior and various image-guided testing and interventions all at the same time. Patients can undergo pacemaker or defibrillator implant and monitoring in this lab as well. It is also a fully Cardiac Surgery capable operating room. So, what are the benefits of this kind of operating room? While it certainly allows for multidisciplinary care and easy, immediate access to various cardiac treatment technologies, it also puts the patients first. Their care is maximized without having to undergo multiple procedures on separate occasions, thus shortening a patient’s stay in the hospital. Also, if testing shows a complication that requires immediate attention, a hybrid operating room can allow for immediate treatment. When doctors, technicians and nurses can work in a facility designed for overlap between multiple procedures and techniques, the patient gets the most efficient and focused care. While many hospitals are still waiting to offer this technology, the Central Florida Cardiac and Vascular Institute is already treating patients in its hybrid operating room now. If you would like to learn more about this facility, or the cardiac treatments available at CFVI, please visit our website for more information. Sources: Operating Rooms of the Future (American Association for Thoracic Surgery) ‘Hybrid’ operating rooms mean collaboration, growth for Steris Corp. (MedCity) Related Posts: |
A Tour of the EP LabAn abnormal heartbeat is commonly caused by electrical irregularities within the heart. In fact, a heartbeat that does not beat rhythmically could indicate a serious cardiac condition. Consequently, the heart’s electrical behavior must be closely examined. In these instances, patients usually undergo an electrophysiology (EP) test, often followed by treatment, in our electrophysiology lab. Here is an overview of our EP lab, which should offer an inside perspective of our testing and procedures. Testing and Procedures Depending on the kind of heartbeat irregularities, a variety of procedures take place in our EP lab including:
What to Expect Most of these procedures are minimally invasive and only require local anesthesia. When the heart’s electrical activity is being tested, a lead is placed into a vein and moved through the body until it reaches the heart. Once it attaches to the heart, a technician then monitors the heart’s electrical impulses and a diagnosis is determined. Ablation, which is a procedure that cauterizes minor areas of heart tissue to restore normal electrical function, is also done through a lead, which is inserted into the heart via a vein. Pacemaker and defibrillator implant procedures take place in the EP lab also; however, the process for each is slightly more invasive. While the patient is under local anesthesia, an incision is made in the skin and the device is placed in the chest. After the procedure, the device is tested by technicians and the heartbeat should return to a more normal rhythm. Our EP lab is the first of its kind in Osceola County and our technicians are trained to perform these lifesaving procedures on a regular basis with minimal discomfort. If you have any questions about these procedures or our electrophysiology lab, please visit our website for further information. Sources: What Are Electrophysiologic Tests? (American Heart Association) ICD (Defibrillator) Implantation (Boston Scientific) Related Post: |
Do I Need an Ablation Study?In the United States, 2.2 million people suffer from atrial fibrillation (AF), a disorder affecting the regular rhythm of the heart’s upper chambers. Since blood tends to pool and clot in the heart as a result of the irregular rhythm, 15% of AF suffers eventually experience a stroke. Cardiologists work with patients to treat and control this disorder as best as possible. One treatment involves an electrophysiology and ablation study. But how do you know if this is the best treatment for you? While treating AF, a cardiologist’s goal is to slow down the heartbeat, regulate its rhythm, and prevent a stroke. Before any invasive medical procedures are considered, medications are prescribed to control this condition first. However medications do not always work, or they may work initially but do not control AF in the long term. Also some AF suffers experience more frequent episodes over time, often daily. These episodes can be debilitating and uncomfortable while also increasing the patient’s likelihood of stroke. If sufferers have reached this degree of frequency, despite medication use, cardiologists will recommend an electrophysiology and ablation study. So what will this study look for? A catheter is introduced through blood vessels and moved up to the heart, which tests the electrical activity of a patient’s heart. Once the specific irregularities are pinpointed and isolated, an ablation procedure may take place. To put a stop to irregular rhythms, ablation cauterizes the abnormal heart tissue responsible for fibrillation. As a result, the electrical signals are essentially disconnected and the AF should be resolved. Does it work? Studies show that 80 to 85% of patients who undergo ablation successfully resolve their AF symptoms. However, 10 to 15% still require follow-up medications. Since this is a relatively new procedure, the long-term effects need to be studied further. However its recent success has offered very encouraging results for suitable AF candidates. To learn more about ablation studies or other cardiac procedures, contact the Central Florida Cardiac and Vascular Institute. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-800-447-8206 for a physician referral. Sources: Atrial Fibrillation (American Heart Association) Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Therapy (Heart Care Centers of Illinois) EP Study (Cardio Choices) Related Posts: |
A New Treatment for the Deadliest Heart AttacksWe all know that fast treatment is critical to heart attack patients. This is especially true for patients who suffer STEMI, the deadliest form of heart attack. Short for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, STEMI occurs when a blood clot travels to the heart and blocks blood flow there. Now a new method makes STEMI treatment faster and safer for patients. Treating STEMI To treat STEMI, an interventional cardiologist must perform a cardiac catheterization. During this procedure, a long, thin tube is inserted into the patient’s artery and pushed through to the heart. At the end of the tube is a tiny balloon. The cardiologist places the balloon against the clot and inflates it, pushing the clot aside and widening the artery. The cardiologist may also use the catheter to place a stent in the artery, holding it open as it heals. Usually the catheter is inserted through an artery in the patient’s groin. However, leading cardiologists have begun to insert it through the patient’s wrist. This is known as radial STEMI treatment because the catheter is inserted into the patient’s radial artery. Dr. Atul Madan, MD and interventional cardiologist here at CFCVI says, “This innovative approach for STEMI is a safer alternative to traditional treatment and improves patient outcomes.” Advantages of Radial Treatment As part of STEMI treatment, patients usually receive an anticoagulant to help dissolve the clot. This medication means that bleeding at the incision site can be heavier. Inserting the catheter through the wrist results in less bleeding, which reduces the potential for some complications. Research actually shows that this procedure can reduce complications by up to 70%. Meanwhile, an incision in the wrist does not hinder patients’ walking, so they’re up on their feet and back to daily activities faster. This step is important to recovery in heart attack patients; cardiac rehabilitation, which helps the heart heal, requires exercise to get the heart muscle back in shape. Dr. Madan recently performed the first radial STEMI treatment at CFCVI. His accomplishment represents one of the ways that we strive to stay at the cutting edge of medical care. “Our goal is to remain at the forefront of cardiovascular care,” said Kathryn Gillette, CEO of Osceola Regional Medical Center. “Providing our community the best in cardiac and vascular care is our top priority.” If you’d like to learn more about STEMI treatment or cardiovascular health, please contact us at 1-800-492-2747.
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Is Gluten Bad for You?By Laura Chiaramonti of iTriagehealth.com Recently, with all the buzz regarding gluten you’re probably wondering what it is, and if you need to be concerned. Gluten is a protein found in the grains wheat, barley, and rye. Besides the obvious, gluten lurks in many foods, and is used as a thickener in many soups and sauces. Gluten intolerance is not a new thing, but it is now getting more attention than ever before. The reason: Gluten-free eating has a basis in science, and it does help a genuine problem. Want to read more? Visit iTriage for the rest of the story! |