Treatment/Procedures

When chest pain occurs, every second counts. Using sophisticated monitoring equipment, our staff can help minimize the risk of irreversible heart damage and initiate an accurate course of treatment. For individuals with congestive heart failure (CHF), the leading cause of hospitalization for persons over 65, the Heart Center has established an inpatient approach to managing heart disease and decreasing the frequency of hospital stays.

Types of treatment offered at Our Lady of the Lake's Heart Center include:

• Cardiac catheterization, which can be performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis, is the most definitive procedure for the diagnosis and evaluation of heart disease.
• Electrophysiology (EP) is the study of the electrical system of the heart. It helps to detect and treat irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). EP studies consist of a variety of techniques used to record electrical activity, all of which provide specific information on each segment of the conductive system.
• "Beating heart" (off-pump) bypass surgery is one of the most important recent innovations in coronary artery bypass grafting. Today, more than half of Heart Center bypass patients benefit from its advantages. Using a special mechanical stabilizer, parts of the heart can be immobilized, enabling surgeons to complete the artery bypass while the rest of the heart continues to beat. This less traumatic alternative to conventional bypass results in shorter hospital stays, fewer complications and quicker patient recovery. Our surgery teams received specialized training in order to bring this advanced procedure to the Baton Rouge area.
• Endoscopic vein harvesting. Removing the saphenous vein to use in constructing bypass grafts can leave patients uncomfortable with limited early recovery mobility and a groin-to-ankle scar. Instead, we offer endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH), which uses special instruments and video equipment to remove the saphenous through only two small one-inch incisions along the inner leg. In addition to the cosmetic benefits, EVH patients experience fewer leg wound complications and typically recover from surgery more quickly.
• Advanced stent therapies. The first coronary stent (a small, expandable metal device implanted into a narrowed artery after angioplasty) was approved in 1993. In recent years, major improvements in the effectiveness of stents have been made. Today, the Heart Center offers a variety of stent therapies to treat clogged arteries and prevent renarrowing of the arteries due to scar tissue growth.

See detailed information on treatment of atrial fibrillations.

If you are concerned that you are at risk for heart problems and would like to measure and better your heart health, check out the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association's "My Heart, My Life" program, which details risk factors for heart problems and stroke. Discover more about OLOL's initiative and get information on our walking paths.

If you are at risk for heart disease or have a family history of heart problems, it's important that you consult a doctor who specializes in heart care to determine your best plan of care for a healthy life. Find a cardiologist today.