Technology
MVHI employs the latest developments in cardiac diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. We are always expanding our knowledge, facilities and equipment for maximum leverage of our resources, to provide world-class cardiac care and improve patient outcomes. Learn about some of the primary technologies used in each treatment area, or explore manufacturers’ sites for more information.
Surgery
Bypass surgery requires sophisticated equipment, some of which is specialized for cardiac use.
To allow the cardiovascular surgeon to perform surgery, the heart may have to be supported artificially, using a “bypass pump” or heart-lung machine. MVHI currently uses the new Medtronic® Performer™ CPB.
When a patient needs to have a heart valve replaced, most often our surgeons use Edwards® Lifesciences Pericardial heart valves.
For atrial fibrillation ablation (burning bad electrical currents), MVHI employs Atricure® products for stand-alone (minimally invasive) procedures and those performed during bypass or valve surgery.
Cardiac surgery requires a team effort. Each member of the team plays an integral part in assuring a positive outcome for MVHI patients. Safe practices, along with excellent communication, are key.
Electrophysiology
The Electrophysiology Lab requires x-ray systems for imaging and positioning catheters. For very high resolution images with minimal patient exposure, we use the same Allura cardio/vascular imaging system from Philips® that is used in our cath labs.
We monitor the electrical currents of the heart using BARD® Monitoring systems. During an electrophysiology study the cardiologist may also want to provide an electrical stimulus to the heart, accomplished with the Bard Micropace system.
An electrophysiologist may treat a bad electrical current using an ablation catheter from Bard®, Boston Scientific®, or Biosense Webster® (a Johnson & Johnson company).
To be able to diagnose and treat complex arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, the electrophysiologist may use CART 3D Mapping technology, also from Biosense Webster.
Implantable Devices
Electrophysiologists may implant ICDs (implantable cardioverter defibrillators) that will stimulate a patient’s heart back to normal rhythm during a commonly deadly sudden cardiac arrest. MVHI uses ICDs from Medtronic, and Boston Scientific (Guidant). They may also implant a Medtronic or Boston Scientific (Guidant) pacemaker to control a slow or irregular beating heart.
The Electrophysiology Lab requires x-ray systems for imaging and positioning catheters. For very high resolution images with minimal patient exposure, we use the same Allura cardio/vascular imaging system from Philips® that is used in our cath labs.
We monitor the electrical currents of the heart using BARD® Monitoring systems. During an electrophysiology study the cardiologist may also want to provide an electrical stimulus to the heart, accomplished with the Bard Micropace system.
An electrophysiologist may treat a bad electrical current using an ablation catheter from Bard®, Boston Scientific®, or Biosense Webster® (a Johnson & Johnson company).
To be able to diagnose and treat complex arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, the electrophysiologist may use CART 3D Mapping technology, also from Biosense Webster.
Implantable Devices
Electrophysiologists may implant ICDs (implantable cardioverter defibrillators) that will stimulate a patient’s heart back to normal rhythm during a commonly deadly sudden cardiac arrest. MVHI uses ICDs from Medtronic, and Boston Scientific (Guidant). They may also implant a Medtronic or Boston Scientific (Guidant) pacemaker to control a slow or irregular beating heart.
Perfusionist Jonathan Kraeger, CCP, sits at the helm of a new, state-of-the-art heart-lung machine. Perfusionists are responsible for maintaining blood flow to vital organs, including myocardial preservation, while a patient is "on pump" during cardiac surgery.
Infection Control
We use modern technology to our patients’ benefit well beyond the procedure rooms, employing the latest products to protect patients from infection. In fact, in 2007 no MVHI cardiac surgery patient suffered a deep sternal wound infection. We currently employ products from Sage®, and Smith & Nephew® for infection control.
We use modern technology to our patients’ benefit well beyond the procedure rooms, employing the latest products to protect patients from infection. In fact, in 2007 no MVHI cardiac surgery patient suffered a deep sternal wound infection. We currently employ products from Sage®, and Smith & Nephew® for infection control.
Inventory Management
The supplies and devices used to treat MVHI patients are invaluable in saving the lives of our patients, so proper handling and management are crucial to our operations. MVHI uses the WaveMark® Hospital Inventory Management system, with cutting-edge radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, to manage this inventory. St. Elizabeth Medical Center was the first hospital to use the WaveMark system, beta tested at SEMC in May of 2005 and in use ever since.
The supplies and devices used to treat MVHI patients are invaluable in saving the lives of our patients, so proper handling and management are crucial to our operations. MVHI uses the WaveMark® Hospital Inventory Management system, with cutting-edge radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, to manage this inventory. St. Elizabeth Medical Center was the first hospital to use the WaveMark system, beta tested at SEMC in May of 2005 and in use ever since.
Ashley Austin, RN, a staff nurse in the CTICU, cares for a cardiac surgery patient with an intra-aortic balloon pump. The IABP is a counter-pulsation device used to help support the heart before or after open heart surgery.
Cardiac Catheterization
During cardiac catheterization, moving images are created with an x-ray technique called fluoroscopy. Cardiologists study and diagnose problems with blood flow, and the images are used to position devices to treat heart disease. MVHI uses Philips’ new Digital Flat Detector Fluoroscopy, among the most advanced in medicine today.
The patient’s vital signs and other crucial information during a procedure are relayed to the physician by Camtronics’ hemodynamic monitoring equipment from Emageon.
After a heart attack, a balloon pump can be used to assist a patient’s weak heart, providing crucial additional time for life saving procedures. All MVHI balloon pumps are CS100’s from Datascope®.
Stents are the tiny metal scaffolds used to hold open vessels that have been expanded or re-opened. At MVHI we use “drug-eluting” stents (they release medicine into the patient’s system) made by Johnson and Johnson (Cypher®) and Boston Scientific (Taxus®.)
MVHI’s physicians will often need to remove more persistent plaque or calcification by Coronary Atherectomy, using a Boston Scientific device called the Rotablator®.
Life-threatening blood clots often need to be removed from coronary arteries using the AngioJet System by Possis.
After a diagnotistic cath or angioplasty the intervnetioal cardiologist may suture the femoral artery closed using Abbott®’s StarClose Vascular Closure System.
During cardiac catheterization, moving images are created with an x-ray technique called fluoroscopy. Cardiologists study and diagnose problems with blood flow, and the images are used to position devices to treat heart disease. MVHI uses Philips’ new Digital Flat Detector Fluoroscopy, among the most advanced in medicine today.
The patient’s vital signs and other crucial information during a procedure are relayed to the physician by Camtronics’ hemodynamic monitoring equipment from Emageon.
After a heart attack, a balloon pump can be used to assist a patient’s weak heart, providing crucial additional time for life saving procedures. All MVHI balloon pumps are CS100’s from Datascope®.
Stents are the tiny metal scaffolds used to hold open vessels that have been expanded or re-opened. At MVHI we use “drug-eluting” stents (they release medicine into the patient’s system) made by Johnson and Johnson (Cypher®) and Boston Scientific (Taxus®.)
MVHI’s physicians will often need to remove more persistent plaque or calcification by Coronary Atherectomy, using a Boston Scientific device called the Rotablator®.
Life-threatening blood clots often need to be removed from coronary arteries using the AngioJet System by Possis.
After a diagnotistic cath or angioplasty the intervnetioal cardiologist may suture the femoral artery closed using Abbott®’s StarClose Vascular Closure System.
Dr. Ashok Patel talks to a patient as he begins a diagnostic cardiac catheterization.