February 1, 2008 4:40 PM
Cardiac care in Louisiana
New Orleans has long been considered a hub for health care in the Southeastern U.S. Much of the area’s stellar reputation has to do with the exemplary level of heart health care available at local hospitals and products and services available through local businesses and care facilities:
Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS)
CIS is one of the nation’s most respected groups of cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and thoracic surgeons, representing nearly every specialty in heart and vascular medicine. While most leading medical centers are located in a single facility within a large city, CIS and its staff of more than 500 dedicated CIS team members and nearly 40 physicians bring comprehensive cardiovascular care close to home by serving patients in 10 locations throughout south Louisiana. CIS offers a comprehensive heart and vascular program that includes specialized medical professionals trained in nuclear cardiology, electrophysiology, prevention services, and lipid management, as well as interventional cardiovascular procedures and cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. CIS is a world leader in treating peripheral vascular disease. CIS physicians serve as clinical investigators for many new and innovative medical devices and often share their knowledge by lecturing around the country about the latest methods of treating both cardiac and peripheral vascular disease. For more information, visit www.cardio.com.
West Jefferson Medical Center
West Jefferson Medical Center recommends “An Ounce of Prevention.”
Today’s woman epitomizes the all too familiar concept of multitasking often at the expense of her own health. Since a women’s susceptibility to certain medical conditions rises as she grows older, the time to tend to her health is now. The American Heart Association tells us that cardiovascular disease, including stroke, claims more women’s lives annually (nearly a half-million women each year) than the combined total of the next six causes of death. Many of these can be prevented.
Most heart and blood vessel diseases occur over time, sometimes with the seeds being planted in childhood. “Prevention is a prudent course of action for disease prevention and early intervention,” Chester Falterman, M.D., a cardiologist at West Jefferson Medical Center and the Heart Clinic of Louisiana, says. “It starts with becoming educated about the components of a healthy lifestyle and resources.”
Know your recommended weight. Does your diet include the recommended servings of fruits, vegetables, fish and grain? Are you eating the right kind of fat? Are you limiting the amount of sodium, cholesterol, saturated and trans fat in your diet? Other important measures include not smoking, and, if you drink, do so in moderation. Have you and your physician discussed your exercise needs and tolerance to work out 30 minutes per day? Would a formal fitness program be beneficial to you? Check with your physician before making major changes in your diet and exercise plan. Remember, an ounce of prevention can be worth years of living a fuller life for you and your family.
Visit www.WJMC.org for more information.
Ochsner Health System
A new computed tomography (CT) scanner, which has the ability to image the heart while it is beating, has recently been installed at Ochsner Health System. The GE VCT, also known as the 64-slice CT scanner, is the latest in CT imaging software and machinery. The scanner produces precise diagnostic pictures within five to 10 seconds, allowing certain disease processes to be better defined as motion can be “frozen” in time.
For patients experiencing symptoms associated with heart disease, the new scanner provides such high quality images that the need for more invasive testing may be prevented. “This new 64-slice technology allows us to obtain a 3D image of the heart and to view the coronary arteries without having to use more invasive procedures, such as inserting a catheter into the artery of the leg and advancing it up to the heart. The more invasive procedure, called a catheterization, requires the patient to be observed for several hours in the hospital. After the CT, the patient walks out of the scanner to immediately resume their day,” explains Dr. John Reilly, Ochsner Interventional Cardiologist and Director of Cardiovascular CT.
The images the scanner produces are interpreted by a physician specifically trained in cardiovascular CT. This collaborative effort between the Radiology and Cardiology departments at Ochsner is unique to the region and brings the advantage of the greatest expertise from each departments’ specialists to the patient. Results of the CT scan are usually available in less than twenty-four hours.
“CT scanning technology has made incredible strides as a diagnostic tool over the last few years,” says Dr. Dennis Kay, Ochsner Vascular/Interventional Radiologist and Chairman, Department of Radiology. “Just a few years ago, the gold standard was 16-slice, which required the patient to hold their breath for 25 to 30 seconds in the time it took to perform the scan, as compared to 8 to 12 seconds with the 64-slice CT scanner.”
This new imaging tool is important in diagnosing and pinpointing heart attack, stroke and other neurological problems. Other typical procedures using the scanner include abdominal injuries, angiography studies, coronary artery calcification scoring, kidney exams, liver exams, oncology/cancer care, pediatric assessment and spinal injuries.
Patio Drugs
Patio Drugs, the oldest operating pharmacy in Jefferson Parish, is a community-based, full-service pharmacy celebrating 50 years of business in the city. The company is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) in home medical equipment management, homecare pharmacy services, clinical respiratory services and home infusion therapy.
Pharmacists at Patio Drugs specialize in compounding, a process that allows them to customize formulations that work best for individual patient’s needs. In some cases medications can be changed from tablets or capsules to gels or liquids, depending on the needs of the patient. Medications can be unit dosed in blister packs for convenience.
Patio Drugs specializes in home medical equipment. Home medical equipment may include items such as crutches, canes and walkers to hospital beds, oxygen and CPAPs. Home medical equipment is delivered and set up in the patient's home by trained service technicians.
Patio Drugs provides free prescription delivery throughout East Jefferson Parish and free delivery for home medical equipment, homecare pharmacy, long term care, and hospice pharmacy throughout Southern Louisiana Monday through Friday.
Owner John DiMaggio says, "We don't just take care of patients; we become involved with their healthcare needs. We're not just a vendor of medicine. We go the extra mile. Our philosophy is a high level of customer service."
Patio Drugs is located at 5208 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie. For more information, call (504) 889-7070.
Total Health Solutions
“Patients with heart disease and cardiac problems can still enjoy an independent lifestyle with the wide range of home healthcare products available today, says Jeff Friedman, owner of Total Health Solutions. Mobility issues can be addressed with stylish canes, walkers, rollators, lightweight wheelchairs, and power wheelchairs/scooters that help you get around safely. Falls in the bathroom, which are all too common, can be easily avoided with grab bars, shower chairs/bathtub benches, and elevated toilet seats. There are even battery- operated lifts that can raise and lower you into a warm bath.
If cardiac problems make it difficult to get up from a regular chair, there are electric lift-chair/recliners and adjustable homecare beds that raise both the head and feet and help with breathing and swelling in the legs. “Helping families learn about the healthcare products that will best meet their need is what we specialize in,” Friedman says, “and many of these solutions are covered by their health insurance, including Medicare. We even offer a full range of CPAP machines and masks for people suffering with sleep apnea. Total Health Solutions’ Metairie store has over 4,000 sq. ft of showroom space filled with hundreds of healthcare products for the home and family. Visit them and let their expert staff help you select the products that are right for you.
Visit Total Health Solutions at 3211 North Causeway Blvd., or call (504) 834-8114.
Farere Dyer, M.D.
Dr. Farere Dyer is a cardiologist at Tulane University Hospital and Clinics, with very clear suggestions on how to avoid heart problems.
“I am extremely involved in exercise – I play a lot of tennis,” says Dyer. “The key is to have a normal weight, stay active and exercise regularly, and pay close attention to your diet. We enforce good diets with our patients – low carbohydrates, low fat, low salt. The reason people have heart attacks is due to high cholesterol, which causes damage to the arteries. This can often be avoided with exercise and diet.”
Dyer also emphasizes the critical importance of not smoking. “Everybody who smokes will get bronchitis, and many will ultimately deal with emphysema, upper respiratory problem and heart attacks,” Dyer says. “At least 60 percent of my patients are still smokers. If they would stop what they are doing, from a young age, many of my patients would not need to see me now. I tell my patients – smoking is a death issue.”
Dyer’s patients are especially impressed with his bedside manner. “I can take the time with my patients and talk to them, and listen to them,” he says. “I often talk to them about their family history. We do have patients who come to us who are at a good weight and who are very athletic, and yet they still have high cholesterol. It is genetic.”
Dyer, who has been practicing in New Orleans for 27 years, says despite genetics, there are many ways people can manage their own heart health and live quality, healthy lives.
Thibodaux Regional Medical Center
The Heart and Vascular Center at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center offers the most advanced form of cardiovascular imaging in the area including leading edge vascular technology that provides detailed diagnostic information that leads to effective treatments of heart and vascular diseases. Physicians have technology at their fingertips that allows them to precisely place balloons, stents and other therapeutic agents.
Additionally, Thibodaux Regional’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is accredited by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Thibodaux Regional Medical Center also has home health nurses who can provide a number of physician-prescribed services in the home, following hospitalization for cardiac care.
Screenings and education programs are available year-round. Thibodaux Regional’s staff of registered dieticians is available to provide individualized patient counseling regarding healthy diets low in fat and cholesterol.
Thibodaux Regional is leading the way in technology. “The hospital recently purchased the GE Innova 3100, which allows us to perform both cardiac and peripheral vascular procedures with one machine.” says Dennis Rochel, director of invasive cardiovascular services. “At Thibodaux Regional, we continue to pursue leading edge technologies that are not found in many area hospitals.”
For more information about Thibodaux Regional Medical Center’s heart services, call (985) 493-4797, or visit www.thibodaux.com.
Magnolia Physical Therapy
Magnolia Physical Therapy, LLC is a physical therapy practice in Harahan that specializes in the treatment of the spine. Their therapists strive to pay personal attention to each patient in order to return them to their normal activities as soon as possible. They take great pride in “providing freedom from pain” for their patients.
Due to the high volume of patients with low back pain, Magnolia Physical Therapy has implemented a successful new Spine Program to treat this condition. Patients are getting results and do very well on follow through with home management of their condition after discharge from physical therapy.
“The time that we come into play as a benefit for heart health is in conditions of pain,” says Ron Helwig, a physical therapist. A lot of patients with heart health issues are obese and may be susceptible to joint pain and are unable to tolerate a full exercise routine in a gym setting. Because of this, the cardiovascular problems continue and can get worse, especially if the weight gain continues.”
To accommodate patients in this situation, Magnolia Physical Therapy uses unweighting equipment, Helwig says. “We’re removing a percentage of the patient’s body weight, which makes it easier on their joints. If they have osteo arthritis of the knee, typically they can do some of the exercises lying down on a mat, for example. But if we were to put them in a full weight-bearing position, they would not be able to do it. We have equipment that takes the weight off, including treadmills and aerobic equipment.”
The office is located at 990 N Corporate Dr, Ste 305 and the hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call (504) 733-0253.
Touro Infirmary
For more than 150 years, Touro Infirmary has dedicated itself to caring for the health and hearts of generations of New Orleanians. As a part of its mission to offer the latest in cardiac and vascular treatment, Touro Infirmary has highly skilled physicians and technologists working with leading edge technology to treat a full compliment of cardiac and vascular disorders, including atrial fibrillation, one of the most common heart rhythm disorders responsible for more than 15 percent of strokes in the United States.
The Ensire/NavX system by St. Jude Medical is the most advanced computer-based technology system for three-dimensional mapping of any arrhythmia and navigating any electrophysiological catheter in real time.
Long known for their dedicated care, clinical excellence and technological leadership, the doctors of Crescent City Cardiovascular Associates are among the area’s most respected specialists. Now a new partnership with Touro Infirmary raises the level of cardiac care – from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and recovery – even higher.
The specialists associated with Crescent City Cardiovascular Associates are: Roberto Quintal, M.D., interventional non-invasive cardiologist; Sudhanva Wadgaonkar, M.D., interventional cardiologist; Rajendra Jain, M.D., interventional cardiologist; Dean Yount, M.D., interventional/non-invasive cardiologist; Murat Celebi, cardiac electrophysiologist; and Viviana Falco, M.D., interventional cardiologist.
The field of cardiac medicine is truly dynamic and less invasive cardiac procedures are becoming more commonplace. That’s why Crescent City Cardiovascular Associates has specialists certified in the latest cardiac imaging techniques, including cardiac CT and MRI, to offer New Orleanians less invasive options for diagnosing cardiac disorders. In addition to keeping abreast of the latest cardiac and vascular breakthroughs, the group provides cardiac services in areas that have limited access to healthcare, including the West Bank in Gretna and in New Orleans East on Lake Forest Boulevard.
The range of services at Touro Infirmary includes two cardiac catheterization labs, an electrophysiology lab, pacemaker/defibrillator implantation, treatment and diagnosis of arrhythmia, cardioversion and a full compliment of cardiac diagnostic capabilities. Touro provides a full spectrum of cardiac and vascular care, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation. At today’s Touro, your heart’s in the right place. To learn more about this new partnership for heart care, visit www.touro.com.
Kidney & Hypertension Associates
Kidney & Hypertension Associates is the premier nephrology practice on the Northshore. A group of four physicians, David Powers, Daniel Tveit, Khudr Burjak, and Kimberly Williams; two nurse practitioners, Wendy Pratt and Latanja Divens; and a superb team of nurses and specialty staff are available to care for people with all forms of kidney disease. This heart health issue of New Orleans Magazine allows us to focus on the relationship between the heart and the kidney in terms of chronic kidney disease and dialysis. Rather than patients requiring dialysis for primary kidney disease many of them now need dialysis for severe heart disease. Dr. Powers says, “The goal of Kidney & Hypertension Associates since we started eight years ago has been to provide our patients with the most up to date kidney protection therapies available. By working closely with the patient’s cardiologist, we may be able to slow the progression of both kidney and heart damage and ultimately delay the need for dialysis.” If dialysis does become necessary, Kidney & Hypertension Associates can deliver that care in one of the many state-of-the-art facilities managed by Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s leader in dialysis care. These Centers not only have traditional daytime in-center dialysis available but also nocturnal, home and peritoneal dialysis.
To arrange an office visit or to discuss your options with one of the kidney specialists, call (985) 419-9939 or e-mail your questions to info@kidhyp.com.
Venous & Arterial Surgery Clinic
Venous and Arterial Surgery Clinic treats patients who suffer from varicose veins and other vascular disorders. Treatment is carried out using laser technology, as well as other modern procedures. Venous and Arterial Surgery Clinic strives to provide patients with the safest, most innovative and advanced vascular procedures currently available. George Elliott Barnes M.D., FACS is a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon and registered vascular technologist. The vascular lab at Venous and Arterial Surgery Clinic is fully accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for The Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories. Treatment of varicose veins at the clinic is non-invasive. Patients experience no downtime and are able to return to their normal activities after the procedure. The clinic provides in-office EVLT and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy, as well as spider vein treatment. Most procedures are covered by insurance. Visit the Web site, www.vasclinic.net, to view educational videos about available procedures, and to find out more about treatment. Venous and Arterial Surgery Clinic is located in Covington. For more information, call
(985) 893-5958.
East Jefferson General Hospital
Each year, HealthGrades rates hospitals throughout the nation. This year, East Jefferson General Hospital’s staff was thrilled to learn it has been awarded a 5-star rating, the highest score possible, in the areas of cardiac surgery and pulmonary care. The hospital was rated No. 1 in Louisiana in cardiac surgery. EJGH also received the state’s highest rating for coronary bypass surgery. These scores placed the hospital in the top five percent of hospitals in the nation. To lend some perspective, less than 15 percent of the hospitals in America earn a 5-star rating in even one category. To earn five stars in two areas was extremely gratifying.
The 5-Star Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award reflects upon the hospital’s level of excellence throughout its physician, nursing and support staff. It also encompasses multiple departments and disciplines throughout the continuum of care including cardiology, surgery, care management and more.
“To earn these designations of excellence at any time would be a tremendous honor,” says Dr. Mark Peters, EJGH CEO. “To do so during a grading period that was still impacted by our continuing recovery from Hurricane Katrina illuminates the tremendous dedication to care and quality that our team demonstrates daily.”
EJGH’s director of cardiology, Audie Hymel, concurs. “We take pride in having excellent cardio care at every level, from prevention to diagnosis through surgery and after-care,” says Hymel. “Using ‘best-practice’ models, our approach to cardiology is designed to assure the highest level of care possible. Years ago, we opened the region’s first cardiac rehab unit, which is stronger than ever, and this year we opened up a completely redesigned cath lab, giving us the newest one in the region.”
For more information on East Jefferson General Hospital, go to www.ejgh.org.