Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Physicians Regional completed a multi-million dollar renovation and opened a Heart Center in July 2020, but it doesn’t mean they’re ready to stop advancing cardiovascular care in Collier County.
The center offers new catheterization laboratories, dedicated heart surgery operating rooms, experienced surgeons and excellent anesthesia support. Yet, the ever-growing cardiac center is committed to adding innovative and minimally invasive techniques.
Both Physicians Regional Healthcare System locations are Accredited Chest Pain Centers, Accredited Echocardiography Centers and 24/7 STEMI-receiving facilities that will expedite the diagnosis and treatment of all cardiac emergencies.
“In 2020, heart disease was the cause of death for over 49,000 Floridians. That can cause some fear and frustration for patients, but I want to alleviate that,” said Dennis Stapleton, M.D. “Together, we can get their life back. Despite the problems that brought them to the hospital, I want them to get back to doing the things they enjoy.”
In addition Physicians Regional Healthcare System’s previous services, the structural heart program now provides Floridians with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), Watchman and TAVR techniques.
One of those procedures is Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG or “cabbage”), which combats coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is when fatty material narrows the arteries that supply oxygen to the heart. CABG surgery improves blood flow by bypassing blockages with healthy blood vessels from other body parts.
“Typically, in surgery, we use an artery from inside the chest, arm or leg to route blood around the blockage within the native coronary heart arteries. CABG is commonly reserved for patients who fail medical therapy or are not candidates for angioplasty,” Scot C. Schultz, M.D. said.
Physicians Regional cardiologists have now screened dozens of patients for the Watchman procedure. The minimally invasive procedure allows patients with atrial fibrillation (A-fib) to stop taking blood thinners permanently. Irregular heartbeats associated with A-fib cause clots to form in the left atrial appendage. The Watchman implant fits into the left atrial appendage, seals the part of the heart where most clots originate and reduces stroke risk. It can also alleviate some worries associated with blood thinners, such as cuts or falls.
Ronald P. Caputo, M.D., reassures patients that Watchman recovery is relatively quick. “Although some patients stay overnight, most patients go home the day of the procedure. Strenuous physical activity should be avoided for a few days, but then normal activity can be resumed,” Dr. Caputo said.
Physicians Regional Healthcare System also offers transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)— a minimally-invasive, life-saving innovation for patients with critical aortic stenosis. This valve disease is caused by calcium deposits that hinder blood flow and can potentially cause congestive heart failure. Patients with severe symptomatic symptomatic aortic stenosis have a 97% death rate at 3 to 5 years if left untreated. Both cardiologists and heart surgeons perform the FDA-approved procedure, which involves inserting a new valve that expands inside the existing valve.
However, it isn’t all about procedures. Physicians Regional patients also receive education on living a heart-healthy lifestyle. Since the program opened, Physicians Regional’s cardiac team has positively impacted the lives of 100 patients and their loved ones by repairing their hearts.
“We have an extremely experienced heart team that is committed to offering the highest quality of care at every level,” Dr. Schultz said.
To schedule an appointment or to take Physicians Regional Healthcare System’s free heart risk assessment, visit www.physiciansregional.com/cardiac-care.