Resources and Education
Seattle Cardiovascular Research
Seattle Cardiovascular Research is based at Overlake, headed by Dr. James Leggett, an Eastside cardiologist and executive director of Seattle Cardiovascular Research (SCR). A nonprofit corporation, SCR conducts drug and/or device studies at Overlake. National and international study protocols are implemented and followed closely during such studies; for more information, call 425-454-5049.
Drug-eluting stent program
Large-scale studies of these stents, involving 1,400 patients worldwide, show that the new stent reduces restenosis rates by more than 90% compared to bare metal stents. According to Dr. James Leggett, cardiologist, Overlake is one of the first hospitals in the United States to offer this treatment. Cardiologists at Sound Heart Overlake perform about 1,500 stents every year.
Maze procedure
Dr. Joseph Austin, cardiothoracic surgeon, was one of the first in the Seattle area to perform the Maze procedure, which uses radio frequency on open-heart patients with atrial fibrillation. The procedure blocks atrial fibrillation through tiny incisions that create a path, or "maze," that channels the normal electrical impulses. It is an option for patients whose atrial fibrillation is resistant to other treatments, and is safe for patients with atrial fibrillation who already require surgery for other heart conditions.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy
Dr. Derek Rodriques and Dr. Alan Heywood, cardiologists, are using cardiac resynchronization therapy to pace both heart ventricles simultaneously. An implantable defibrillator is also inserted to help prevent ventricle arrhythmias. A reported 70% to 80% of patients benefit from this therapy.
"What we want is to have the best care available. What we need is for everybody to work together."