Although Heart Month is coming to an end, it doesn’t mean you should stop being on top of your heart health! We all assume having a dog would help your health; you go for more walks, you get a sense of purpose, and you get more human interaction. But could your furry friend help with…
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) involve procedures to replace a damaged aortic valve with a prosthetic one through minimally invasive techniques. Building a TAVR program requires careful planning that includes collaboration and adherence to both medical and regulatory standards. Below are some overarching steps that need to be done to build a successful TAVR program.…
I have a close family member who took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with heart failure. He had an active and vibrant lifestyle that suddenly became a series of doctor’s appointments, medications, and lifestyle adjustments. Despite his best efforts, his health continued to deteriorate, and he eventually had to have an ICD implant.…
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) approved a new rule on November 9, 2023, to establish a statewide system of care for ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. The STEMI system will utilize the existing regions and Medical Control Authorities (MCAs) established for the trauma system of care in the state. The rule…
Surgical Evaluation of Geriatric Patients by Dr. Steven Harrington: The heart, a remarkable organ that beats tirelessly throughout our lives, requires specialized care as we age. Ensuring its health means not only practicing heart-healthy lifestyle measures but also understanding the unique challenges the geriatric heart faces, particularly when surgical interventions come into play. In…
The Relationship Between Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and Cardiac Surgery Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 15% to 50% of adults undergoing cardiac surgery. The definition of AKI is defined by a 0.3mg/dL or 50% increase in serum creatinine from the patients’ baseline or oliguria. After using a comprehensive review of the literature, including pharmacologic…
Open-Heart Surgery: A Cornerstone Cardiovascular Program Open-heart surgery (OHS) has long been a cornerstone of cardiovascular patient care as it encompasses some of the most clinically complex procedures that can be performed to support, renew, or improve heart function in patients. The term typically includes coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and surgical heart valve replacement…
The Importance of Discharge Medications When I look back at my career, there are certain patients that stood out. Notably, these patients were “repeat customers” who would return periodically with in-stent restenosis or progressed disease. I would wonder why some patients never seemed to require additional treatments while others routinely came back… After conversing with…
With advances in Cardiology procedure technology and the goal of achieving a lower cost of care, there has been a visible shift in procedures from the inpatient to the outpatient settings. Several changes in CMS rulings in the last fifteen years have spurred an increase in office-based laboratories (“OBLs”), including catheterization laboratories and vascular access…
What is the Value of Corazon’s Cardiovascular Accreditation? Corazon is known for accrediting cardiovascular programs of all sizes throughout the United States. Unlike other accrediting bodies, however, Corazon Accreditation is more than just a means to achieve state requirements. We are a strategic partner, one whose value comes from a collaborative and consultative approach to…
