CARDIOVASCULAR SERVICES ADVANCE AT HAVASU REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Complex coronary artery disease often involves treatment of more than one blood vessel of the heart. One of the challenges of treating complex coronary artery disease is that the procedures are higher risk and require specialized physicians. Lou Jones BSN, RN, CEN, CCCC of LifePoint Health takes time to explain the advances in technology now available for heart patients at HRMC.

She serves as the Cardiovascular Service Line Director for HRMC “With today’s innovative technology there are minimally invasive treatment options that allow patients with complex heart disease and advance heart failure to recover the function of the native heart. Patients who have been told angioplasty or stent placement is too risky, or have been told that they are not a candidate for heart surgery related to risk factors such as kidney disease, now have the option for protected stenting with the use of the Implella, the world’s smallest heart pump,” explains Jones.

Fadi Atassi, MD, Interventional Cardiologist and Chief of Staff and Roberto Cervera, MD Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgeon are both members of the HRMC Heart Team that utilize this innovative device to help patients undergo procedures that would be too risky to perform without this miniature heart pump. This pump is inserted through an artery in the groin or shoulder and then advanced directly into the heart chambers. The Impella is the only percutaneous heart pump proven safe and effective for hemodynamic stabilization to enable Heart Recovery. The world’s smallest heart pump temporarily assists the pumping function of the heart. The Impella helps maintain blood flow to critical organs such as the heart, brain and kidneys during a high-risk
stenting procedure. The addition of the Impella may improve severe coronary artery disease and or heart failure symptoms. Patients benefit by experiencing fewer days in the hospital and a shorter recovery time. Jones states, “Adding the world’s smallest heart pump to the cardiovascular care at HRMC shows our commitment to a robust heart program.”