Cardiac Services Are Enhanced at WARMC
3/24/2022
In our continued efforts to enhance life-saving opportunities, WARMC has added a new heart pump system for the cardiac catheterization lab (cath lab).
“This heart pump is a state-of-the- art device for cardiac intervention. The system is used to augment blood flow from the heart, relieving it of stress during procedures. It has been shown to improve outcomes and increase patient recovery,” said Chris Loustaunau, R.N., director of cardiac cervices.
The cardiologist places the internal device into position using standard catheterization techniques, inserting the catheter into the leg artery and guiding it into the heart. Once in place, the heart pump is turned on, providing support to the heart while monitoring the pumping activity. The device mimics the natural blood flow from the heart, increasing the blood pressure while emptying the heart and providing more blood supply to vital organs such as the brain and kidneys.
This device is not the same as a balloon pump, according to Steven VanDeventer, R.N., chest pain center coordinator.
“Calling this device a balloon pump is like calling a Cadillac a Model T,” said VanDeventer “This heart pump is better at reducing the work demand of the heart muscle, allowing it to heal itself while the remainder of the body continues to be supplied efficiently and effectively with on-going, uninterrupted flow of blood.
The acquisition and implementation process of the new heart pump, including training of cardiologists, cath lab staff and ICU nursing staff, has taken almost a year.
“I want to thank our chief interventional cardiologist Dr. Rahim; our cath lab director Chris Loustaunau; and Beau Masterson, director of ancillary services for their hard work and diligence in bringing this life saving measure to WARMC and our community,” said interim CEO Scott Street.
WARMC is designated by the Arizona Department of Health as a Cardiac Receiving Center and is an Accredited Chest Pain Center with PCI, a designation given by the American College of Cardiology. The PCI designation means WARMC’s cardiac team is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. No matter when a heart attack occurs, the team works to provide rapid treatment in its emergency department and cath lab to minimize damage to the heart muscle.
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