Griffin, GA – January 12, 2012. Spalding Regional now offers interventional coronary angioplasty in addition to diagnostic catheterizations as part of its Cardiology services. The new cardiac procedures include balloon angioplasty and stent placement to open narrowed or blocked arteries in the heart. Now when a patient is admitted to the hospital for shortness of breath, chest pains, or on an emergency basis during a heart attack, interventional cardiologists in the Spalding Regional cardiac lab can respond immediately to open the blockage, restore blood flow and preserve precious heart muscle. This timely response minimizes damage to the heart, and may head off open heart surgery or in extreme cases prevent death.
The American Heart Association has stated that time is muscle. Most heart attacks occur when a blockage occurs in one of the coronary arteries, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching the heart. When this happens, heart muscle dies or is permanently damaged. The longer it takes to respond to a blockage of the heart, the greater the risk of irreversible damage to vital heart muscle.
The preferred treatment for opening narrowed or blocked arteries caused by a buildup of fatty plaque is an interventional cardiac catheterization procedure called balloon angioplasty, also known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This procedure involves threading a thin catheter with an inflatable balloon on the end into the blocked artery. When the blockage is located the balloon is expanded to compress the artery walls and restore blood flow. An expandable stent, which is a small, metal mesh tube may also be inserted to provide support to help the artery stay open. The procedure should be performed no longer than 12 hours after the heart attack.
Spalding Regional’s Cardiac Catheterization lab historically performs hundreds of diagnostic catheterizations annually. In October 2011, the lab was totally renovated with the latest technology including a real time state of the art digitally integrated imaging system that decreases procedure time by utilizing less contrast and radiation exposure to the patient. Extensive training was also conducted so that every department in the hospital from EMS to the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit is familiar with the procedure and patient care requirements. This commitment and full team effort helps facilitate successful patient outcomes with the new procedure.
Within the past year Spalding Regional had received the American Heart Association’s “Get with the Guidelines Gold Award” for quality care of patients with heart failure, and received certification as a Primary Stroke Center from Joint Commission.
About Spalding Regional Medical Center
Spalding Regional Medical Center, part of Tenet Healthcare, is a 160-bed acute care hospital located at 601 South Eighth Street in Griffin, Ga. The hospital has been serving the medical and health care needs of Spalding, Butts, Pike, Lamar, and Henry counties for more than 100 years. Spalding Regional provides a number of services, including specialties in orthopedics, women’s services, cardiac care, Primary Stroke Center, medical oncology services, physical, occupational and speech therapy and sleep and wound medicine. Spalding Regional Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. For information on Spalding Regional, visit www.spaldingregional.com.