In terms of cardiovascular medicine, Georgia has been "heart smart" for a long time - and it's getting smarter.
In 1967, St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta performed the Southeast's first open-heart surgery. It subsequently developed the first comprehensive catheterization laboratory in the Southeast and performed the region's first angioplasty procedure as an alternative to bypass surgery.
Today, St. Joseph's renowned heart and vascular care program is the 12thlargest in the country, and continues to pioneer research and innovations in the field. In 2002, it performed the state's first robotic-assisted, endoscopic, closedchest heart surgery. Recently, St. Joseph's became one of seven partner hospitals of The Larry King Cardiac Foundation, which provides free cardiac care to patients who can't afford it as part of its Save a Heart A Day commitment.
Heart attacks are like babies, said Tamara Cumins, RN, a nurse in St. Joseph's cardiovascular specialty unit. "You don't have any control over when they happen. We do anywhere from five to 11 openheart surgeries a day here," she said.
What keeps this Florida native and other nurses working in cardiac care is the cutting-edge research, the changes in technology, and the opportunity to keep learning and changing the lives of patients.
"Our program does cardiac surgeries and procedures every day, but to the patients and families it's overwhelming," said Carmen Stewart, a registered nurse in cardiac care. "I enjoy coaching them through the process - the initial highintensity of care required, followed by seeing patients progress rapidly. Cardiac critical care has some of the best outcomes."
You'll read about one of them in this month's cover story.
You'll also read how Piedmont Hospital's Cardiac Care Unit became the first critical care unit in Georgia to win the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses' Beacon Award. Piedmont has a new heart imaging center, complete with cardiovascular magnetic resonance and computed tomography: new technologies which are proving to be positive alternatives to more invasive diagnostic procedures.
The Medical College of Georgia Cardiovascular Center of Excellence in Augusta recently opened a new cardiovascular outpatient center and is moving toward its first heart-transplant program, as well as the building of other units dedicated to cardiovascular services.
Cardiologists at Emory Health System are breaking new ground by combining a patient's MRI scan with a training simulator to "rehearse" high-risk carotid stenting procedures before surgery. The simulator recreates an exact virtual duplicate of the patient's circulatory system for the physician to use as a guide while manipulating the catheter.
"Every person's anatomy is different and sometimes complications occur. Because the simulator lets us know when we have made a wrong turn, the rehearsal makes the actual procedure safer," said Dr. Christopher Cates, director of Vascular Intervention at Emory University Hospital and Emory Crawford Long Hospital.
The patient also spends less time on the operating table, and preparation keeps health care costs down.
I wish you all a healthy and happy new year and look forward to hearing more of your stories.
- Do you have any story ideas for Pulse? We'd love to hear more about your career and what you do after hours. E-mail me at pulseeditor@ajc.com or call 404-526-2078.