Heart & Vascular

• Electrocardiography
• Blood Testing
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Echocardiogram 
• Electrophysiology 
• Exercise Tests 
• Nuclear Medicine/ Myocardial Perfusion
• Cardiac CT
• Cardiac MRI

Having dedicated invasive heart and vascular labs enables us to provide these critical interventions, 24/7:

• Cardiac Cath procedures including balloon, stent, drug-eluting stent, rotoblator, AngioJet^TM, DCA, cutting balloon, brachytherapy, PercuSurge and filter-wire procedures
• Electrophysiology and ablation using the latest FDA-approved technology such as cryoablation for atrial fibrillation
• Full angiographic diagnostics including wave wire and intravascular ultrasound
• Integrated acute myocardial response with direct intervention  
• Permanent pacemaker implants including dual chamber, AICD and biventricular pacing.

When medication is not sufficient to control Afib, an irregular heart rhythm, a catheter ablation is performed to prevent the unwanted electrical currents from traveling from the pulmonary veins and spreading to the upper chambers of the heart. Eliminating these abnormal circuits stops them from spreading and causing the atrial fibrillation. St. Anthony Hospital's cryoablation program is one of the most established in the region and the technology is well proven. 

Cryoablation using the Arctic Front® Cryoballoon catheter. As its name indicates, the Arctic Front Cryoballoon delivers a refrigerant through an inflatable balloon to freeze tissue and disable unwanted electrical circuits that contribute to PAF.

Envision the small catheter shown here as being tiny enough to be guided through the femoral vein (located in the groin area) and up into the heart. In the catheter tip is a liquid coolant that when injected expands to a gas, causing the tip to cool to an extremely low temperature.

Once occlusion is confirmed, the physician introduces liquid refrigerant into the balloon. The refrigerant evaporates and removes heat from the heart tissue at the opening of the pulmonary vein where the balloon is in contact with it. As a result, the tissue is scarred and may no longer spread the electrical currents that cause atrial fibrillation.

Those at risk for arrhythmia-related sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating, may benefit from a breakthrough cardiovascular technology, the subcutaneous implantable defibrillator (S-ICD). S-ICD delivers the same protection as the implantable defibrillators that have been in use for decades, but offers an important advantage: it sits just below the skin. This eliminates the need for thin, insulated wires known as electrodes or "leads" to be placed into the heart itself, which leaves the heart and blood vessels untouched.

"The biggest benefit of S-ICD is that it eliminates problems associated with the intravenous leads," explains cardiologist Thomas Svinarich, MD, FACC. "Leads implanted in the heart and blood vessels are constantly moving. Electrode wires wear out and have to be replaced. Here, we have a subcutaneous lead — under the skin, on the chest — that isn't subject to those stresses. So we expect patient complications, in the long run, to be much reduced."

Candidates for the S-ICD system include:

• Younger patients
• Active patients
• Patients prone to infection
• Patients likely to have a long life span following implantation

St. Anthony Hospital offers a device implant procedure approved for stroke prevention for patients with atrial fibrillation. In addition, patients can receive pre-screenings and follow up care and imaging at various satellite locations at Longmont United Hospital and St. Anthony North Health Campus.

Patients who are in need of an alternative to blood thinners, the left atrial appendage closure device can prevent stroke and help them get off blood thinners.  

Questions?
Please call 303-595-2627, we look forward to discussing your options. 

St. Anthony Hospital is one of a select number hospitals in Colorado that offers Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) in for patients who have Severe Aortic Stenosis. At St. Anthony Hospital, TAVR is performed by our specialty physician team which includes a cardiothoracic surgeon and an interventional cardiologist. 

Patients are referred by their cardiologist or primary care provider if they are believed to be of intermediate or high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement, which involves open heart surgery.  The patient then undergoes a series of preoperative tests to be discussed amongst a collaborative, multi-disciplinary heart team which includes: cardiothoracic surgeon, interventional cardiologist, cardiac anesthesiologist, interventional radiologist, structural heart coordinator and a medical device vendor representative. This group thoroughly and thoughtfully discusses each patient on an individual basis to determine if TAVR is the best course of action for the patient.

The TAVR procedure is done inside our specialized hybrid operating room which combines both cardiac catheterization technology and operating room capabilities.

Patients and their family members can expect the patient to be in the operating room for 2-3 hours, with the actual procedure taking around 90 minutes. Following the procedure, the patient recovers in the Intensive Care Unit, then is transferred to the step down unit overnight. Many patients are able to go home the next day!

• Age of 50 or over
• High blood cholesterol
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Being postmenopausal
• Family history of PVD, hypertension and/or high cholesterol
• Being overweight
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking and/or use of tobacco

Approximately half of people with PVD have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may range from mild to severe and include:

• Poor leg circulation
• Leg pain, numbness or weakness
• Painful cramping in the hip, thigh or calf muscle after activity
• Swelling of the legs
• Change of color in the legs
• Coldness in lower leg or foot
• Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
• Non-healing wounds, especially on legs, feet or toes
• Weak pulse in legs or feet
• Shiny skin on the legs
• Blood clots
• Hair loss or slow hair growth
• Erectile Dysfunction  (ED)

Without treatment, PVD can lead to a heart attack, stroke, difficulty walking because of pain, and poor wound healing that may result in amputation.

To help manage PVD symptoms and slow its progression, the St. Anthony Hospital Vascular Program provides:

• A team of vascular specialists. Because PVD affects the whole person, having providers from many specialties makes for a more coordinated and complete care experience. 
• Vascular diagnostics. Our on-site, non-invasive diagnostics and fast tracks diagnosis of vascular and circulatory conditions and helps determine the best treatment options.
• Vascular treatments and interventions. Highly skilled radiologists and cardiologists provide catheter-based treatment options for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).
• Follow-up and ongoing care. Our wound care center, cardiac rehabilitation program and diabetes wellness program are all available to treat PVD-related conditions such as non-healing wounds and varicose veins.
• Vascular disease education, screenings and support. A wide range of screenings, classes and support groups are available to patients and the community.