Western Baptist brings heart innovations to the area

During its 30-year history of advanced cardiac care, Western Baptist Hospital continually has brought leading-edge, lifesaving procedures home to the community. Recent ones include

Hole-in-the-heart closure

Performed in the Baptist Heart Center’s catheterization labs, patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is a minimally invasive alternative to major heart surgery. A PFO is a small flap valve defect between the right and left atriums that can open with increased pressure on the chest during activity, such as strenuous lifting or even a severe cough.

When the valve is opened, a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke may result. By closing the hole, debris cannot enter, thus decreasing the patient’s risk for stroke.

By inserting a catheter into the groin and placing an implant at the site of the hole, new tissue will grow and become part of the heart.

Laser revascularization

Transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR) is a new procedure to treat inoperable heart disease in people with persistent angina not relieved by any other method.

Instead of traditional bypass surgery, a laser improves blood flow to areas of the heart not treated by angioplasty or surgery.

Emergency aorta repair

A thoracic aortic (large artery of the chest) aneurysm can be fixed without open-chest intervention. Surgeons can insert an endovascular stent to remove the aneurysm through a catheter in a minimally-invasive procedure.

The most common symptoms of thoracic aortic aneurysms include throbbing chest pain and back pain. Recognizing symptoms quickly and promptly intervening is crucial.

Cardiac assist pump

For patients with severe heart failure, Western Baptist offers the AbioMed Ventricular Cardiac Assist Pump, an implanted device that functions as a natural heart to pump blood throughout the body.

It can last for weeks or months while patients await a heart transplant or return of normal heart function.