Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - (Page 50)

Highest-Tech Heart Care The Take a peek inside PCRMC’s Cardiology Department y by SOMER OVERSHON The modern method for left-heart catheterization involves accessing the radial artery, which produces less risk for complications and also reduces patient recovery time. After the procedure is finished, patients are generally discharged (with a responsible person) within two hours after the procedure is completed. Since Dr. Martin began using the radial approach at PCRMC, not a single complication has been reported. “We have found in our follow-up interviews with the patients an overwhelming positive response to the radial approach method,” he says. “In our commitment to give PCRMC patients quality cardiac care, we are pleased to offer them a catheterization option that reduces risk and patient downtime.” Coronary computed tomography angiogram (CTA) is a treatment implemented into PCRMC’s medical imaging services last year. Also called a cardiac CT, the test injects dye intravenously to show all of the coronary arteries. “Essentially, the patient’s heart rate is slowed down and the scanner obtains 3-D, high-definition photos of the heart,” says lead CT technologist Carla Crews. “The intricacies of the photos show the cardiologist a wealth of diagnostic cardiac information.” Another bonus is the speed of the entire cardiac CT process. “The scan itself only takes minutes to complete,” adds Crews, “and is far less invasive than the traditional cardiac catheterization.” Crews says the procedure has been successful and patients are pleased to learn they can have the test performed locally at PCRMC. Another relatively new cardiology service at PCRMC is the external counterpulsation therapy (ECP). ECP is a noninvasive treatment to relieve chronic chest pain, or angina, and involves 35 one-hour sessions over seven weeks. ECP therapy works to improve circulation to the heart muscle by increasing oxygen-rich blood flow and reducing the heart’s workload. ECP therapy can help to build new pathways around blocked coronary arteries by expanding networks of tiny collateral blood vessels that ou’ve heard the phrase “home is where the heart is.” Phelps County Regional Medical Center (PCRMC) believes that where you go for your health services should elicit the same genuine feeling of being at “home.” With PCRMC’s integrated cardiology services, you can receive quality, highly skilled cardiac care and stay close to home—an option that makes you and your heart happy. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY The PCRMC Cardiology Department, in collaboration with the Medical Imaging Department, uses some of the most advanced and modern technology available in healthcare. One of the most impressive is the Philips iCT 256-slice CT scanner, which has the ability to detect life-threatening illnesses such as heart and lung disease, cancer and stroke at an early stage. PCRMC was the first hospital in Missouri to acquire the advanced scanner, and remains one of the few hospitals in Missouri to have one to date. PCRMC’s cardiology facilities have all been upgraded and remodeled in the past three years and encompass only the best equipment that technology has to offer. INNOVATIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS Tim Martin, M.D., a Washington University cardiologist at PCRMC, and his staff are performing the most up-todate access for the left-heart catheterization procedure. CALL Schedule Your Exam Today! To make an appointment for a cardiac exam, call PCRMC’s scheduling department at 573-458-7737. For more information about Cardiology Services, call 573-364-9000. 50 Vim & Vigor • FALL 2 012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center
Contents
Opening Thoughts
The Innovator
Snore No More
30 Days to Better Sleep
I Can’t Ask My Doctor That!
He Said, She Said
Hold On to Your Health
Still A Screening Star
Your Joints: An Owner’s Manual
Weighing Your Options
No Greater Gift
Weather Alert
Virtual Health
Remaking a Statement
The Highest-Tech Heart Care
Available Just for You!
Age Is Just a Number
Foundation
Auxiliary

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center