Research and Innovation
One of the hallmarks of high-quality patient care is how willing a hospital is to try new things, to grow as a provider and to support critical and creative thinking in its doctors.
Research and innovation are priorities for Sound Heart. Here are a few highlights:
- Sound Heart is in the forefront of a new technology called cardiac resynchronization therapy, which treats congestive heart failure, showing that 70% to 80% of patients benefit from this therapy. It appears to be very helpful for patients who struggle with recurrent cardiac episodes and may spend weeks in the hospital.
- Blood clots are now being treated and removed by interventional cardiologist from both Evergreen and Overlake, using a powerful device called an AngioJet. Clots from veins and arteries can now be removed without the need for surgery. Applications include venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, native arterial thrombosis and clotted arterial and venous bypass grafts.
- Seattle Cardiovascular Research (SCR) is headed by James Leggett MD and Thomas Amidon MD, members of Overlake Internal Medicine Associates at Overlake.
- A nonprofit corporation, SCR conducts clinical drug and/or device studies at Overlake. National and international study protocols are implemented and followed closely during such studies.
- Sound Heart at Overlake was one of the first in the Seattle area to perform the Maze procedure, which uses radiofrequency on open-heart patients suffering from atrial fibrillation. Results have been excellent.