Heart & Vascular : St. David's HealthCare

Heart Hospital of Austin to Participate in Landmark Study of New Approach to Treat High Blood Pressure

reedsmith — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:07:53 GMT

Clinical Trial Evaluates Investigational Approach to Treat High Blood Pressure

By Deactivating Nerves in Arterial Walls Leading to Kidneys?

AUSTIN, Texas-Heart Hospital of Austin is now enrolling patients in the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 study, a clinical trial of the investigational Symplicity� renal denervation system for treatment-resistant hypertension. Treatment-resistant hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure that remains high (greater than 140/90 mmHg) despite treatment with three or more anti-hypertensive medications.

"I am excited that this therapy is�being evaluated through a clinical trial in the Austin area,"�Helen J. Maidment, M.D., a nephrologist with Capital Nephrology, said. "This treatment�may be key for patients whose hypertension cannot be optimally controlled by other medical treatments. Additionally, medicines to treat hypertension can be costly and have undesirable side effects."

Renal denervation is a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure that regulates the output of nerves that line the walls of the arteries leading to the kidneys. These nerves are part of the sympathetic nervous system, which is one of the ways the body controls blood pressure. In people with hypertension, the renal nerves are hyperactive, raising blood pressure and contributing to heart attack and stroke.

"We're eager to participate in the study of this interventional treatment, which may represent a new and innovative approach to treating the growing number of resistant hypertension patients in the United States," said Dr. Frank Zidar, M.D., principal investigator and interventional cardiologist with Austin Heart who practices at Heart Hospital of Austin. "Renal denervation and ongoing treatment with anti-hypertensive medications have the potential to help patients with this challenging form of hypertension achieve their target blood pressure levels. Controlling blood pressure clearly impacts an individual's risk of stroke and heart attack."

The renal denervation system is a flexible catheter and an energy generator. The Symplicity� catheter is introduced through the skin into the femoral artery, located in the upper thigh, and is then threaded up into the renal artery leading to each kidney. It is connected to the Symplicity� generator, which produces controlled, low-power radio-frequency (RF) energy.

Once within the renal artery, the tip of the Symplicity catheter is placed against the arterial wall in several places where it uses controlled, low-power RF energy to deactivate the renal nerves according to a proprietary, computer-controlled algorithm. The treatment does not involve a permanent implant and is performed under conscious sedation.

SYMPLICITY HTN-3 is a randomized, controlled trial that will enroll approximately 530 treatment-resistant hypertension patients across several U.S. medical centers. People receiving the investigational treatment will be compared with a control group that does not, with all patients continuing to take their blood pressure medications. Patients enrolled in the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial will be randomly assigned to a group, with two out of three assigned to the treatment group and one out of three assigned to the control group. In addition, those in the control group may receive the treatment after a six-month period passes. The primary endpoints of the study are the change in blood pressure from baseline to six months and incidence of major adverse events.

"This study has a unique design since patients in the control group have the option to receive renal denervation treatment six months following randomization, which may extend the benefit of renal denervation to all participants in the trial," said Dr. Zidar.

The Symplicity renal denervation system has been successfully used since 2007 to treat more than 2,000 patients worldwide. It has been commercially available in Europe and Australia since April 2010. The Symplicity renal denervation system is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for commercial distribution in the United States.

Treatment-resistant hypertension poses a serious health threat to nearly six million Americans and 100 million people worldwide. It is an especially dangerous chronic disease because of its association with increased cardiovascular risk, including stroke and heart attack, as well as heart failure and kidney disease. Research suggests that 28 percent of treated hypertensive individuals are considered resistant to treatment. Additionally, these patients have a threefold increase in the risk of cardiovascular events compared with individuals with controlled high blood pressure.

Patients can contact the Austin Heart Research Department at (512) 421-3851 for more information about the clinical trial. Prospective participants also are encouraged to visit SymplifyBPtrial.com to learn more about the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 study and their potential eligibility for the trial. Those considering participation in the trial should be diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure) and unable to control their hypertension even when taking three or more blood pressure medications.

Heart Hospital of Austin
Heart Hospital of Austin, located at 3801 North Lamar Boulevard, is part of St. David's HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas, which was recognized as one of the top 15 health systems in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters in January 2012. Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease,�Heart Hospital of Austin�is a shared vision of local cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons. Working with hospital leadership, the physicians created an atmosphere of quality, resulting in the leading cardiac program in Texas for six consecutive years as ranked by HealthGrades�-a leading independent�health ratings organization. In July 2009, a study funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services revealed that Heart Hospital of Austin was the leading hospital in the United States for treatment of a heart attack.�Heart Hospital of Austin has also been named a top cardiovascular hospital in the nation by Thomson Reuters for six years, most recently being named to the list of 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals in 2011. In addition to providing a full range of cardiovascular services and an advanced Executive Wellness Program, Heart Hospital of Austin has a comprehensive 24-hour emergency department. Heart Hospital of Austin is a St. David's Medical Center facility. For more information, please visit�HeartHospitalofAustin.com.

Austin Heart
Austin Heart is the largest provider of cardiac and vascular services in Central Texas, with 12 full-time office locations, 17 outreach clinics and 45 cardiologists. Austin Heart has been serving the Central Texas area since 1973.�Austin Heart's cardiologists sub-specialize in every diagnostic and treatment area of cardiovascular disease, America's No. 1 killer-interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, vein disease, sleep disorders, erectile dysfunction, imaging, women's cardiovascular health and a nationally recognized research department. To learn more about Austin Heart physicians, or to schedule an appointment, visit AustinHeart.com.

St. David's North Austin Medical Center Offers Transradial Access for Heart Procedures

reedsmith — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:13:12 GMT

New Procedure Allows Access to the Heart by Entering the Wrist

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AUSTIN-Recently, St. David's North Austin Medical Center began offering transradial access-through the wrist-for heart procedures, which is a more advanced way to access arteries resulting in fewer complications, better outcomes and a faster recovery time for some patients.

Most cardiac catheterizations in the United States access arteries that lead to the heart transfemorally, or through the groin. ?
"We are extremely pleased to be able to offer this procedure to patients," Robert Wozniak, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at St. David's North Austin Medical Center, said. "Any time we can successfully and safely perform a procedure in a way that decreases the likelihood of complications and lessens the traditional recovery time for patients, it is a great benefit."

Once inside the artery, whether accessed transradially or transfemorally, the diagnostic and interventional procedures are virtually the same, except for the immediate post-procedure recovery process. With transfemoral access, the patient must generally lie flat for four to six hours after the procedure so pressure can be applied to the groin. This is necessary to ensure that the puncture site does not result in further bleeding. With transradial access, the patient is able to get up almost immediately after the procedure.

Glenn Spradlin, a cardiac patient at St. David's North Austin Medical Center, has experienced both artery access procedures and noted a dramatic and immediate difference.

"As soon as I woke up from the procedure that used the transradial access approach, I felt relief and had no pain," Spradlin said. "There was no downtime like there had been after my procedure where the catheter was inserted through the groin. This time, I could get up and use the restroom, and I could feel the benefit of the procedure right away."

Spradlin says the differences were also evident in his overall recovery time. After his previous procedures using the groin approach, Spradlin had three days of downtime and, at times, a recuperation time of up to a week. Accessing his artery transradially allowed him to move around even in his hospital room.

"For patients who qualify for the transradial access approach, such as Glenn, there are a number of advantages they will see immediately following the procedure," Dr. Wozniak said. "The transradial access approach is a great achievement for artery access in heart procedures because of its immediate benefits and positive patient outcomes."

Transradial access also offers a number of other benefits to patients, including decreased incidence of complications, especially bleeding; minimized risk of nerve damage, which is more common with the femoral approach due to proximity of the femoral artery to the femoral nerve; and easier vascular access and hemostasis for obese patients.

For more information about cardiac services at St. David's North Austin Medical Center, visit St.Davids.com.

St. David's North Austin Medical Center
St. David's North Austin Medical Center, located at 12221 North Mopac Expressway, is part of St. David's HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas, which was recognized as one of the top 15 health systems in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters in January 2012. The 332-bed multi-specialty, acute care facility is dedicated to the highest level of women's health services, including maternity and newborn care with Level I, II and III nurseries at the adjacent St. David's Women's Center of Texas, as well as a 24-hour emergency department, the Texas Institute for Robotic Surgery, heart and vascular center, neurology and neurosurgery, a kidney transplant program, inpatient and outpatient surgery, and acute inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, among many others. For more information, please visit StDavids.com.�

Heart Hospital of Austin First in the United States to Use New, FDA-Approved SafireT BLUT Duo Ablation Catheter

reedsmith — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:10:29 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas-Heart Hospital of Austin recently performed the first successful treatment of a patient using the SafireT BLUT Duo ablation catheter. The Safire BLU Duo ablation catheter is the latest in advanced ablation technology, helping physicians treat patients using minimally invasive catheter-based methods to achieve successful outcomes for patients with heart rhythm abnormalities.?
Ablation catheters are thin, flexible wires that deliver radiofrequency energy to specific areas of cardiac tissue in order to create lesions, or tiny scars, that interrupt the abnormal electrical signals contributing to heart rhythm abnormalities. The Safire BLU Duo, developed by St. Jude Medical, is an irrigated ablation catheter with dual sets of irrigation ports designed to provide uniform tip cooling and reduce high temperature edge effects, resulting in a safer delivery of ablation therapy.

For patients with heart failure (a common comorbidity with cardiac rhythm disorders), the Safire BLU Duo catheter decreases the risk associated with fluid loading, delivering a substantially lower rate of fluid to the heart. This is important for patients who are struggling with fluid build-up as a result of heart failure, which can be dangerous or even fatal.

"We are excited to be among the first hospitals in the country to use this advanced catheter ablation technology," Paul R. Coffeen, M.D., an electrophysiologist at Heart Hospital of Austin and with Austin Heart, said. "We strive to use technologies that deliver optimal therapy and result in the best possible outcomes-such as the Safire BLU Duo ablation catheter."

The Safire BLU Duo catheter is a next-generation irrigated ablation catheter designed to provide exceptional torque response and uniform tip cooling during cardiac ablation procedures. The catheter is bi-directional for easy maneuverability and features 12 irrigation ports-six are distal and six are proximal. In a controlled clinical trial of 188 patients with the 12-hole tip technology, there were zero observations of char or coagulum, a potential complication associated with ablation procedures.

The Safire BLU Duo ablation catheter received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2012.?

Heart Hospital of Austin
Heart Hospital of Austin, located at 3801 North Lamar Boulevard, is part of St. David's HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas, which was recognized as one of the top 15 health systems in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters in January 2012. Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease,�Heart Hospital of Austin�is a shared vision of local cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons. Working with hospital leadership, the physicians created an atmosphere of quality, resulting in the leading cardiac program in Texas for six consecutive years as ranked by HealthGrades�-a leading independent�health ratings organization. In July 2009, a study funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services revealed that Heart Hospital of Austin was the leading hospital in the United States for treatment of a heart attack.�Heart Hospital of Austin has also been named a top cardiovascular hospital in the nation by Thomson Reuters for six years, most recently being named to the list of 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals in 2011. In addition to providing a full range of cardiovascular services and an advanced Executive Wellness Program, Heart Hospital of Austin has a comprehensive 24-hour emergency department. For more information, please visit�HeartHospitalofAustin.com.

Austin Heart
Austin Heart is the largest provider of cardiac and vascular services in Central Texas, with 12 full-time office locations, 17 outreach clinics and 45 cardiologists. Austin Heart has been serving the Central Texas area since 1973.�Austin Heart's cardiologists sub-specialize in every diagnostic and treatment area of cardiovascular disease, America's No. 1 killer-interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, vein disease, sleep disorders, erectile dysfunction, imaging, women's cardiovascular health and a nationally recognized research department. To learn more about Austin Heart physicians, or to schedule an appointment, visit AustinHeart.com.

Heart Hospital of Austin First in Central Texas To Perform New Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Procedure Since FDA Approval

korr — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:30:59 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas-On Feb. 15, 2012, physicians at Heart Hospital of Austin became the first in Central Texas to perform a new, catheter-based valve replacement procedure, known as a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), since the technology was approved by the FDA in November 2011. The procedure offers an alternative to traditional, open-chest surgery in some patients.

The procedure was performed on 87-year-old Donald Anderson, who suffered from severe aortic stenosis and who was not a candidate for traditional open-chest surgery. Anderson showed symptoms of exhaustion and shortness of breath when he was evaluated at the Heart Valve Clinic at Heart Hospital of Austin. Immediately following his procedure, his presenting symptoms were eliminated. Anderson was up and walking in less than 24 hours after his heart valve replacement and was discharged from the hospital only three days after his procedure.

"The procedure was a complete success," Faraz Kerendi, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon at Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons who practices at Heart Hospital of Austin, said. "The patient's recovery time was shortened as a result of the approach, which has enabled him to quickly return to physical activity."

Severe aortic stenosis is a condition in which the opening of the aortic valve-which is located between the main pumping chamber of the heart, or left ventricle, and the aorta-becomes narrow, restricting blood flow from the heart. Over time, the valve can become calcified, preventing it from opening and releasing blood properly.

Symptoms of severe aortic stenosis may include fatigue, dizziness or fainting, chest pain or discomfort. It can also cause pressure to "back up" into the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath commonly called congestive heart failure. Left untreated, this condition is often fatal.

TAVR consists of inserting a valve-which is compressed down to the size of a pencil-through the groin via a catheter (a flexible tube), up to the aorta. After the catheter is advanced through the aorta and aortic valve, the valve is positioned and then opened with a balloon.

"This technology will revolutionize cardiac surgery," Frank Zidar, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at Heart Hospital of Austin and with Austin Heart, said. "By avoiding an open-chest surgery and the heart bypass machine, this approach can decrease complications and markedly shorten the recovery time. Recent studies have shown the TAVR procedure is as effective as open-heart surgery in terms of long-term survival. It offers tremendous potential for patients with valvular heart disease."

TAVR results in a shorter recovery time-one to two weeks, versus six to eight weeks for traditional surgery. This technology prevents the need for physicians to utilize a heart bypass machine, allowing the patient's heart to beat on its own throughout the entire procedure.

The new TAVR procedure is ideal for patients who are not candidates for open-chest surgery due to advanced age, or because they are too ill or suffering from additional medical conditions. Prior to this procedure, such patients were classified as inoperable and had no treatment options. They were often given only months to live.

The patient was identified as a candidate for the new procedure by the physicians of the Heart Valve Clinic at Heart Hospital of Austin. The clinic is specifically designed to evaluate and treat patients with valvular disease and disorders, delivering a multidisciplinary approach to evaluating such patients.

Heart Hospital of Austin
Heart Hospital of Austin, located at 3801 North Lamar Boulevard, is part of St. David's HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas, which was recognized as one of the top 15 health systems in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters in January 2012. Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, Heart Hospital of Austin is a shared vision of local cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons. Working with hospital leadership, the physicians created an atmosphere of quality, resulting in the leading cardiac program in Texas for six consecutive years as ranked by HealthGrades�-a leading independent health ratings organization. In July 2009, a study funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services revealed that Heart Hospital of Austin was the leading hospital in the United States for treatment of a heart attack. Heart Hospital of Austin has also been named a top cardiovascular hospital in the nation by Thomson Reuters for six years, most recently being named to the list of 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals in 2011. In addition to providing a full range of cardiovascular services and an advanced Executive Wellness Program, Heart Hospital of Austin has a comprehensive 24-hour emergency department. For more information, please visit HeartHospitalofAustin.com.

Austin Heart
Austin Heart is the largest provider of cardiac and vascular services in Central Texas, with 12 full-time office locations, 17 outreach clinics and 45 cardiologists. Austin Heart has been serving the Central Texas area since 1973. Austin Heart's cardiologists sub-specialize in every diagnostic and treatment area of cardiovascular disease, America's No. 1 killer-interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, vein disease, sleep disorders, erectile dysfunction, imaging, women's cardiovascular health and a nationally recognized research department. To learn more about Austin Heart physicians, or to schedule an appointment, visit AustinHeart.com.

Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons, PA
For over five decades, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons (CTVS) has been proud to offer Central Texas the most specialized and innovative cardiothoracic, vascular and pediatric surgical care available. The most sophisticated diagnostic and surgical techniques are provided by 20 CTVS surgeons from four offices in Central Austin, Williamson County, Hays County, San Angelo and all area hospitals. Individually and collectively, CTVS surgeons have amassed a record of medical "firsts" in Central Texas, including performing the first heart and kidney transplants in the area. Since 1958, the surgeons, along with the clinical team of physician assistants, nurses and technicians, have shared a commitment to patients, their health and the community. To learn more about Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons, please call 512.459.8753 or visit CTVSTexas.com.

Heart Hospital of Austin Offers Free Heart Screenings for Student Athletes

korr — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:07:18 GMT

Life-Saving Tests Can Detect Potentially Deadly Heart Conditions in Teens

AUSTIN, Texas-On Saturday, Feb. 18, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Heart Hospital of Austin offered free heart screenings for students ages 14 through 18 years of age. The screening included a 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) and a limited two-dimensional echocardiogram, or ultrasound of the heart, to detect Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).

HCM is a serious genetic heart condition in which the heart muscle thickens. It affects one in 500 student athletes every year, often without warning.

"HCM is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death among young athletes," Kunjan Bhatt, M.D., clinical cardiologist at Heart Hospital of Austin and with Austin Heart, said. "While it is relatively easy to detect through medical screenings, because it often has no symptoms, HCM can strike with no notice and can be fatal if it is not diagnosed and treated."

An EKG and echocardiogram, which take about five minutes each, are non-invasive and painless screening tools. Results of the screenings were reviewed by a cardiologist immediately after the tests were administered.

During the event, Heart Hospital of Austin also featured CPR demonstrations, as well as a display of the latest cardiovascular treatment technologies.

This free event was made possible by the generosity of cardiologists from Austin Heart.

Heart Hospital of Austin will offer an additional screening on Saturday, Aug. 4, from 8 a.m. to noon, at Heart Hospital of Austin, located at 3801 North Lamar Blvd. Appointments are required. Each student must have a questionnaire filled out by a parent or guardian upon arrival.

Please call (512) 478-3627 for more information, or to schedule an appointment.

Heart Hospital of Austin
Heart Hospital of Austin, located at 3801 North Lamar Boulevard, is part of St. David's HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas, which was recognized as one of the top 15 health systems in the U.S. by Thomson Reuters in January 2012. Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, Heart Hospital of Austin is a shared vision of local cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons. Working with hospital leadership, the physicians created an atmosphere of quality, resulting in the leading cardiac program in Texas for six consecutive years as ranked by HealthGrades�-a leading independent health ratings organization. In July 2009, a study funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services revealed that Heart Hospital of Austin was the leading hospital in the United States for treatment of a heart attack. Heart Hospital of Austin has also been named a top cardiovascular hospital in the nation by Thomson Reuters for six years, most recently being named to the list of 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals in 2011. In addition to providing a full range of cardiovascular services and an advanced Executive Wellness Program, Heart Hospital of Austin has a comprehensive 24-hour emergency department. For more information, please visit HeartHospitalofAustin.com.

Austin Heart
Austin Heart is the largest provider of cardiac and vascular services in Central Texas, with 12 full-time office locations, 17 outreach clinics and 45 cardiologists. Austin Heart has been serving the Central Texas area since 1973. Austin Heart's cardiologists sub-specialize in every diagnostic and treatment area of cardiovascular disease, America's No. 1 killer-interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, vein disease, sleep disorders, erectile dysfunction, imaging, women's cardiovascular health and a nationally recognized research department. To learn more about Austin Heart physicians, or to schedule an appointment, visit AustinHeart.com.