At Zion Hospital, there are more options than ever before for treating cardiovascular illnesses. The Cardiovascular Centre at Zion Hospital provides a full package of cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment options. In fact, with the opening of our new Cardiac Catheterization Suite, our team regularly performs some of the most advanced treatments for cardiovascular diseases utilizing the latest in imaging technology.
An integrated team applies the latest prevention, diagnosis and treatment advancements while providing the highest quality of care and service possible. The physicians and programs represented at the hospital attract patients from throughout the region.
Collaborative care model combines all heart and vascular services, ensuring each patient has access to state-of-the-art medical and surgical procedures. This team approach ensures that patients are seen by expert specialists who are at the forefront of their fields in research and clinical care. The decision-making and treatment-planning for each patient are done collaboratively. Every treatment option is explored to find the right care plan for each patient, given his or her specific cardiovascular diagnosis.
The Cardiovascular Centre prides itself on maintaining strong lines of communication with its patients' primary care physicians and our community-based specialists. The Centre collaborates closely with these individuals in formulating expeditious plans for cardiac intervention and in providing thorough follow-up.
Cardiac Catheterization is a test that uses a catheter (tube) and an x-ray machine to assess the heart and its supply of blood. It is the Gold Standard for assessing cardiovascular diseases.
These procedures are done to help clear and open arteries that have narrowed. A catheter is inserted into the artery in your groin (or less likely your arm). The catheter, which has a tiny balloon at the tip, is guided into the affected artery using x-ray pictures, displayed on a television monitor that the doctor views. Once in the artery, the balloon is quickly inflated and deflated to stretch open the narrowed portion of the blood vessel and restore the passage of blood. Then the balloon and catheter are removed. Under most circumstances, the doctor will place a mesh "inner tube” or stent in the artery to keep it open.
In the event of a sudden heart attack, the most beneficial treatment is Emergency PCI. This lifesaving procedure to quickly stop a Heart Attack is provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This procedure restores blood flow to the affected artery within 90 minutes from the time a patient arrives in the emergency room. The collaborative care between the emergency department and cardiac catheterization laboratory has returned some of the finest heart attack treatment in the region.
In coronary stenting, a metal tube called a stent is placed in an artery. It is placed after an artery has been cleared of a blockage (angioplasty) and helps keep the artery open.
There are 2 types of stents. The first type of stent is called a drug-eluting stent. It is coated with a medication that is slowly released. The medicine helps decrease the rate of re-blockage in the artery. The second type of stent is called a bare metal stent. It does not contain any medication.
Your doctor will discuss with you and decide which stent option is the best for you.
This is a procedure to insert an artificial pacemaker, which is a small, battery-operated device that helps maintain a normal heartbeat by sending electrical impulses to the heart.
The Cardiac Rehabilitation program is a 12 week medically supervised cardiac exercise program to help those with cardiac disease to reach their optimal activity potential. A professional registered nurse monitors each patient’s progress by evaluation of his or her blood sugar, blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm during each session. Participants learn how to exercise safely to achieve the best possible physical, psychological and functional status. Participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program can often improve exercise capacity, reduce symptoms, and improve the well-being of the patient.
Some of the conditions or procedures that may benefit from cardiac rehabilitation may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Cardiac rehabilitation programs can be conducted on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Many skilled professionals are part of the cardiac rehabilitation team, including any/all of the following:
A cardiac rehabilitation program is designed to meet the needs of the individual patient, depending upon the specific heart problem or disease. Active involvement of the patient and family is vital to the success of the program. The goal of cardiac rehabilitation is to help the patient return to the highest level of function and independence possible, while improving the overall quality of life - physically, emotionally, and socially. These goals are often met by:
In order to help reach these goals, cardiac rehabilitation programs may include the following:
Research done on cardiac rehabilitation programs has found them to benefit patients in the following ways: