Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Community Healthcare - (Page 50)

SPOTLIGHT ON: ST. CATHERINE HOSPITAL HEALING HEARTS At St. Catherine Hospital Cardiology Services, patients can expect expert clinical research and advanced treatment options BY ANGELA MOORE F or Tyrone Brown, the news that he had several blockages in his arteries was grim, especially after having endured triple bypass surgery just a few years ago. “It really wasn’t looking good for me,” says Brown, a Hammond resident. “My outlook and survival wasn’t positive. I was staring death in the face.” Another invasive heart surgery would be risky, and even using a catheter to open the vessels was out of the question due to his weakened heart. Typically, high-risk patients like Brown are left with medication as their only option. St. Cath eri ne Ho sp ita l Interventiona l Ca rd iol og ist Sa me r Ab ba s, M .D. , tre ate d he art patie nt Ty rone Brow n of Hamm on d with th e life sav ing Im pe lla device. Researching Ways to Prevent Strokes St. Catherine Hospital has been selected as one of 500 sites by Abbott Vascular Laboratories to take part in a carotid stent trial called CHOICE. This study takes a closer look at two Abbott carotid artery stent and embolic protection systems. The trial aims to provide documentation of clinical outcomes. Stenting and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) have been used to treat carotid artery stenosis in patients who are not candidates for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or high-risk surgical patients. The Acculink® and the Xact ® are the stents being used in the trial. The embolic protection devices being used are the Accunet™ and the Emboshield ®. These devices are FDA approved. Studies have shown that embolic protection devices may prevent embolic debris-related events after carotid interventions. In the pivotal Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy Versus Stenting Trial, or CREST study, researchers compared the surgical approach (carotid endarterectomy) to the non-surgical approach (carotid stenting) to prevent stroke in patients with and without symptoms. The study found that age of the patient was a factor: Younger patients had fewer events with an implanted stent while older patients had fewer events with the surgical option. To date, more than 9,000 patients have undergone carotid stenting in the United States using the Abbott stents and/or distal protection devices. Results show that these devices are a safe, effective method for preventing stroke in high-risk patients. Physicians with symptomatic patients may want to consider carotid artery stenting as an option to prevent stroke or blindness. 50 Vim & Vigor · SP R I N G 2 012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Community Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Community Healthcare
Contents
Community Message
Community Briefs
Care When You Need It
Saving Time, Saving Lives
Get Real
How Far We’ve Come
Patient Survival Guide
Perfect Attendance
A New Day
Lean on Me
Intimidated by the Gym?
What Is Your Volunteer Style?
A Prescription for Relief
Creating Comfort and Convenience
SPOTLIGHT ON: St. Catherine Hospital
SPOTLIGHT ON: St. Mary Medical Center
SPOTLIGHT ON: Community Hospital
Valuable Connections

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Community Healthcare