Heart Procedures
Before any treatment can occur, whether medication, catheterization or surgery, the first hurdle in cardiac care is an accurate diagnosis.This takes sophisticated equipment and highly educated physicians and technicians working closely together as a team.
Non-invasive procedures - echocardiology, stress testing, nuclear cardiology and EKGs - are often the first stop for heart patients. Sound Heart also offers a complete range of invasive cardiology procedures, such as angioplasty, stenting, pacemaker insertions and electrophysiology (electronic mapping of the heart). Sound Heart patients at both hospitals are served by a team of 26 cardiologists, all highly trained and respected, and some of whom have been recognized by their peers as the best.
State of the Art Diagnostic Catheterization Lab
In March 2004, Evergreen opened a new, state-of-the-art suite for emergency and diagnostic catheterization and echocardiography services. The suite is dedicated to heart care and pacemaker insertions. An experienced and dedicated team of physicians and clinicians create exemplary results for patients who are undergoing unexpected and serious procedures. Evergreen has made a name for itself in patient education and for having a caring staff that interacts with families and patients throughout their experience.
Cardiology Research Underway
Sound Heart works in conjunction with Seattle Cardiovascular Research, a nonprofit research organization composed of 16 interventional cardiologists. New studies are now underway to evaluate drug-eluting stents, which benefit patients who have narrowing of their arteries and for patients having heart attacks.
Seattle Cardiovascular Research (SCR), a nonprofit corporation, conducts clinical trials of new cardiovascular drug and device therapies at Overlake Hospital Medical Center and in nearby affiliated cardiovascular clinics. SCR directors Dr. James Leggett and Dr. Thomas Amidon select protocols that offer patients access to promising new therapies and give member cardiologists invaluable experience with therapies before they become commercially available. The following therapeutics are currently under study at SCR: drug-eluting stents for opening blocked vessels in the heart, new closure devices for sealing vessels after heart procedures, a new drug to treat coronary artery disease by raising "good" cholesterol, a new drug for acute heart failure, a new drug for heart attack and several studies of drugs that thin the blood, block the formation of clots or dissolve clots during and after heart procedures.
Services
Sound Heart at Overlake cardiology services are provided in a leading-edge facility of one electrophysiology and two cardiac suites. Services include:
- Angioplasty and stent implants
- Cardiac/peripheral catheterization
- Electrophysiology, electronic mapping of the heart, and pacemaker/ defibrillator insertions
- Two echocardiography suites (pharmacological and treadmill stress echo; transesophageal imaging (TEE)
- Electrocardiogram, or ECG (resting ECG, exercise treadmill testing, Holter monitoring and event monitoring)
- Nuclear cardiology (with a nuclear gamma camera)
Sound Heart at Evergreen cardiology services are provided in a state-of-the-art cardiac facility that has one cardiac and one vascular suite
- 20-bed Intensive and Coronary Care Unit
- Advanced chest pain/stroke evaluation treatment
- Advanced heart failure management
- Angioplasty and stent implants for acute heart attacks
- Cardiac/peripheral catheterization
- Pacemaker/insertions
- Two echocardiography suites (pharmacological and treadmill stress echo; transesophageal imaging, or TEE; Electrocardiogram, or ECG (resting ECG, exercise treadmill testing, Holter monitoring and event monitoring) Nuclear cardiology (with a nuclear gamma camera).
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