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Heart & Lung - Rooney: Service Descriptions

Angioplasty (PTCA)/Stent

Involves introducing a small balloon into a blocked coronary artery; when inflated, the balloon opens the vessel for improved blood flow. A stent is a small metal mesh tube inserted after the PTCA to hold the vessel open. Stents have been shown to dramatically reduce the need for repeat procedures and the number of emergency open-heart surgeries. New stents are drug-coated and help limit the growth of tissue within the arteries, which can restrict blood flow. These have reduced the need for repeat procedures to an even greater degree. The quality of angioplasty and stent placement is monitored according to standards set by the American College of Cardiology. The Rooney Heart Program has been doing angioplasty since 1990 and performs over 700 procedures per year. The Program consistently performs at or better than standards set by the College. For more information call 1-877-65HEART (654-3278)

Angioplasty - Primary

This process restores blood flow as quickly as possible during a heart attack which is critical to survival. While clot-busting drugs have been helpful, studies have shown the best mechanism to restore blood flow to the heart is immediate angioplasty/stents. Rooney Heart maintains 'round-the-clock', 24/7 cath lab access for emergency PTCA and carefully monitors turnaround time from the ER to the PTCA procedure. The Rooney program has consistently performed with superior times compared to the American College of Cardiology national database. For more information call 1-877-65HEART (654-3278)

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rate - either too fast or too slow. Heart rates can be managed either with medication or implanting pacemakers/defibrillators to maintain appropriate rhythms. This is part of the electrical system of the heart and is called Electrophysiology. The Rooney Heart Program offers a full set of services related to electrophysiological studies and treatment. An electrophysiologist is a cardiologist that specializes in heart rate management. He/she will evaluate your particular condition and recommend the best therapy for your personal situation. For more information call 1-877-65HEART (654-3278)

Brachytherapy

In 2000, Rooney Heart became one of the first programs in Chicago to implement a new technology called brachytherapy. A percentage of patients who undergo angioplasty (PTCA) will develop blockages again over time -- this is referred to as restenosis. Brachytherapy procedure places a low level radiation source, for a brief period of time, into the coronary artery after an angioplasty. After the prescribed time, typically less than 15 minutes, the source is removed. Clinical studies have shown a significant reduction in restenosis with this procedure. For more information call 1-877-65HEART (654-3278)

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac Catheterization is a diagnostic test that allows dye to flow through arteries in the heart. The dye shows up under x-ray and reflects blockages in the arteries of the heart. Based on the findings of the catheterization, the cardiologist has a number of procedures available that restore blood flow for proper heart function. The quality of angiography is monitored according to standards set by the American College of Cardiology. The Rooney Heart Program has been performing catheterizations since 1972. The catheterization labs are conveniently located at both Hinsdale and La Grange Hospitals. In the labs, we care for over 2200 people each year and perform at or better than standards set by the College. For more information call 1-877-65HEART (654-3278)

Cardiac Rehab

If you experience heart problems, the cardiopulmonary rehab program can help you resume an active role at home and at work. Exercise is the key element in your return to a more active life. As an extension of the care given to you by your personal physician, the program provides you with practical information for heart problems, and support services are available to successfully manage your heart disease.

Cardiopulmonary rehab is conducted in collaboration with a team of medical specialists. Staff members include a medical director, cardiac nurses and exercise physiologists trained in the development of exercise programs and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Phase I
Patients begin the Phase I rehabilitation program shortly after a heart attack, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or angioplasty. Based in the hospital, under the care of your physician, cardiac nurses and exercise physiologists, Phase I provides progressive flexibility exercise and walking, with heart rate, blood pressure and heart monitoring. You will learn more about your heart, your condition and what lifestyle changes will reduce your risk.

Phase II
Phase II is a key part to continue recovery after a heart attack, coronary artery bypass graft surgery and angina. Phase II is an outpatient program providing dedicated full-time electronic heart monitoring performed by specially trained cardiac nurses and exercise physiologists and under program direction of a Board certified Cardiologist. You will need your physician's prescription, as well as an exercise stress test to begin the Phase II program. Based on your test results, you will receive an individualized exercise prescription. During exercise, your EKG and blood pressure will be monitored. These exercise sessions are scheduled three times a week for one hour. The program takes approximately twelve weeks, depending on your progress, to complete. You will have the opportunity to use equipment such as treadmills, Airdyne bikes, stationary bikes, NuSteps and rowing machines. The staff will assist you as needed to develop a safe exercise program to use at home. Education and counseling are available to help you learn how to modify your risk factors that are associated with coronary artery disease. The Phase II program is located within the hospital and is covered by most insurance programs.

Phase III
Phase III is a cardiovascular maintenance and prevention program designed for Phase II graduates, who are independent but still want some supervision during exercise. The program provides for heart rate self-monitoring and blood pressure monitoring. A personalized exercise program is developed based on the results of a yearly stress test. Consent from your physician is required. As a long-term maintenance and lifestyle program, Phase III is typically not covered by most insurance plans.

Phase II and Phase III are offered at Adventist Bolingbrook Medical Center, Adventist Hinsdale Hospital and La Hospital. For questions or to sign up please call:
Adventist Bolingbrook Medical Center (630) 226-8020
Adventist Hinsdale Hospital (630) 856-5656
La Grange Hospital (708) 352-1200 x 4155

Cardiac Risk Assessment - Heart Score

Do you really know the score when it comes to your heart's health? There's an easy way to find out with Heart Score, a one-on-one private consultation with a health care professional. The screening includes: " Personal Lifestyle Analysis " Cholesterol Screening (including HDL and triglycerides) " Blood Sugar Test " Blood Pressure Assessment " Body Mass IndexHeart Score costs only $40 and takes approximately 30 minutes. You also can receive an optional EKG test for an addition cost of $25. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 1-877-65HEART (654-3278)

Open Heart Surgery

Rooney Heart has been performing open heart surgery at two locations since the late 1980s. We do surgery over 300 surgeries each year. Our skilled team of board-certified cardiovascular surgeons and other caregivers consistently perform better than national benchmarks as defined by the Society for Thoracic Surgery. For more information call 1-877-65HEART (654-3278)

Coronary artery bypass surgery is the first thing most people think of when they hear the term "open heart surgery." But it can also refer to valve repair, valve replacement or surgical treatment of other heart diseases, all of which are performed in the Rooney Heart Program. This category of surgery is based on surgical treatment directly on the heart.

Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is the most frequently performed heart operation today. It is a time-tested, highly successful procedure-thanks to the many surgical breakthroughs in recent years. The purpose of this surgery is to bypass blocked arteries and supply more oxygen to your heart muscle. Bypass surgery may be necessary due to the inability of medications to control chest pain (angina), or to reduce your overall risk of heart attack. You may need one or several bypasses, depending on the number of blockages you have and the amount of heart muscle affected. This is determined before the surgery by the results from your cardiac catheterization (see above). Rooney Heart also offers off-pump CABG for those whose medical condition allows this procedure. An off-pump surgery allows the surgeon to work on the beating heart without stopping it and avoiding the need to circulate your blood through a heart/lung machine.

Valve replacement surgery is the replacement of diseased valves was not possible until the introduction of artificial heart valves in the 1960's. Today's well-designed valves are extremely durable and provide improved blood flow through the heart, allowing you to return to a healthy, active lifestyle as well as increasing your life expectancy.

The night before your surgery you may enjoy a normal meal, but nothing to eat or drink after midnight. You will also receive special instructions on washing your hair and taking a shower with antibacterial soap in preparation for your surgery. Because you will be returning to a different room following surgery, please arrange for a family member to take your personal belongings home the evening before.

After your operation you will be taken to the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). In the meantime, your cardiovascular surgeon will visit with your family members, describing how the operation went and what they can do to help after the operation. Most of our open heart surgery patients stay in the CVICU for 24 hours, after which you will be moved to a unit where heart functioning can be monitored remotely. On this unit you will work with professionals from our Cardiac Rehabilitation Department (see above) developing a personal program to help you regain your strength and enhance your daily activities.

Peripheral Vascular Services

An exciting new development across the country is the expansion of cath lab services for peripheral vascular disease. This would include obstructions of the renal arteries and arteries in the legs. Since 1998, the Rooney cath labs have been performing peripheral procedures such as diagnostic imaging, angioplasty and stenting. For more information call 1-877-65HEART (654-3278)

Non-invasive Cardiac Testing

The heart care experts of the Rooney Heart Program believe that early testing and detection of potential heart problems is the best medicine. We offer a full range of tests, from preliminary screenings (Heart Score) to the most sophisticated cardiac catheterization procedures described elsewhere. In addition to blood tests, x-rays and EKG's, we offer extensive diagnostic procedures that can provide an accurate assessment of your heart's condition without the need for surgical procedures.

Stress tests

These tests include a treadmill test that shows how well your heart is performing during physical exercise. As you walk on the treadmill, your EKG and blood pressure are closely monitored by a cardiologist and a technician. The speed and slope of the treadmill are gradually increased to increase your heart's work, until you are tired or the doctor stops the test. A radioisotope treadmill test (Nuclear Stress Test) is performed by injecting special drugs called radioisotopes that show up on X-ray film. After the injection, an image of your heart is taken in a rested state. After exercising on the treadmill, you will have another image of your heart taken that will record how the blood flows when your heart is working harder. The physicians will compare the two sets of images to determine how blood is flowing in your heart when active. A third stress test called a drug stress test is for people who cannot physically exercise on a treadmill. Special medications simulate the effects of exercise while you undergo the same kind of radioisotope imaging described above. For more information call 1-877-65HEART (654-3278)

Echocardiograms
An echocardiogram is a non-invasive test that uses sound waves to look at your heart. These are displayed on a screen that shows the size of your heart, and its muscle and valve activity. This test generally takes about 30 to 40 minutes as you lie on your back and side, and you may even watch this display as the technician obtains your heart's images. A variation of this test is called a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) in which a tiny, flexible transmitter is inserted into your throat, allowing clearer images of your heart to be seen from behind the heart. For more information call 1-877-65HEART (654-3278)

Nuclear Stress Tests
This test uses specialized X-ray technology along with the treadmill to determine if areas of the heart are receiving enough blood. Images are taken before and after treadmill exercise; a computer processes the information and produces images of the blood flow in the heart. A nuclear stress test is performed by injecting special drugs called radioisotopes that show up on X-ray film. After the injection, an image of your heart is taken in a rested state. After exercising on the treadmill, you will have another image of your heart taken that will record how the blood flows when your heart is working harder. The physicians will compare the two sets of images to determine how blood is flowing in your heart when active. For more information call 1-877-65HEART (654-3278)

Respiratory

Respiratory Care Services are provided only with an order from the patient's physician. Therapies include: oxygen, nebulizers, chest physical therapy, mechanical ventilation and resuscitation. Therapies are provided 24 hours, a day 7 day week. Adventist Hinsdale Hospital cares for patients of all ages including premature infants in the level three Intensive Care Nursery.

Pulmonary Function Testing

A physician will order pulmonary function testing to measure lung volumes, flow rates and diffusion capacities. Pulmonary function testing can evaluate the mechanical ability, the mechanical efficiency and any gross mechanical abnormality in the pulmonary system. Testing can be done as a preoperative screening to evaluate the respiratory condition prior to invasive surgery procedures that may require artificial ventilation. Testing can also be performed pre and post bronchodilator therapy to diagnosis asthmatic response.