The Western Pennsylvania Hospital is proud to be ranked among the nation's 100 Top Hospitals for Cardiovascular Care for the second year in a row by Thomson Reuters.
Thomson's 2007 and 2008 Cardiovascular Benchmarks for Success Study examined the performance of nearly 1,000 U.S. hospitals in treating congestive heart failure and heart attacks. West Penn is one of just 30 teaching hospitals with cardiovascular residency programs named to the elite Top 100 list.
The West Penn Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) is an advanced tertiary care center for cardiology, cardiac surgery, and vascular diseases, staffed by a broad range of specialists who care for patients using a full spectrum of expert diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services.
The CVI is a leader in the field of treatment for heart disease and vascular disease in the western Pennsylvania region, offering approaches and treatments that are often not available in other facilities. For example, the Cardiovascular Institute was among the first hospitals in the region to use drug-eluting stents. Surgeons at West Penn Hospital were the first in the region to perform microwave surgical ablation to treat atrial fibrillation, and they are among the most proficient in employing the Endovein procedure to minimize the size of the leg wound in cardiac bypass graft surgery. In addition, the Institute’s electrophysiologists participated in national trials to help develop improved pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) and are among the most experienced in their use.
With a high level of expertise and an unparalleled commitment to quality outcomes, the CVI offers patients individualized care that is multidisciplinary in scope and technologically advanced.
The dedicated staff of the CVI consists of hundreds of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who collaborate in the care of thousands of patients yearly. Their clinical expertise is supported by a strong infrastructure of state-of-the-art equipment, patient-focused nursing, on-site clinical research, and medical education.
The CVI unites a number of cardiovascular services, including the following:
Cardiac catheterization (more than 1,700 procedures each year), including:
- percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
- coronary stent implantation
- rotational atherectomy
- directional atherectomy
- peripheral vascular procedures
Echocardiography laboratory services, including:
- echo-Doppler studies
- transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)
- exercise and pharmacologic stress echocardiography
Electrocardiography (EKG) services, including:
- electrocardiographic evaluation of patients
- exercise stress electrocardiography testing
- Holter monitor evaluations
- outpatient event monitoring
- signal-averaged electrocardiograms
Electrophysiology laboratory services (more than 1,500 procedures each year), including:
- diagnostic arrythmia studies
- radiofrequency catheter ablation
- permanent pacemaker insertion
- automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator (AICD)
- tilt table studies
- computerized mapping
- biventricular ICDs
Nuclear cardiology studies, including thallium imaging
Other West Penn Cardiovascular Institute services include: arrhythmia/ischemia monitoring; heart failure programs that offer advanced treatments and investigational drug therapy; comprehensive cardiac preventive services; and rehabilitation.
Cardiothoracic Surgery Services
Surgeons in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital perform nearly 300 open-heart procedures annually, including:
- coronary artery revascularization
- valve replacement or repair
- thoracic aortic aneurysm repair
- arrhythmia surgery (including the MAZE and microwave surgical ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation).
Vascular Surgery Services
Surgeons in the Division of Vascular Surgery perform all types of vascular surgery, including:
- cerebrovascular surgery
- aortic aneurysm repair
- difficult lower extremity bypass for limb salvage
- dialysis access procedures
- renal revascularization
- revascularization procedures
The Division of Vascular Surgery is supported by the nationally accredited Peripheral Vascular Diagnostic Laboratory, which provides a full array of non-invasive diagnostic services, including:
- carotid duplex imaging
- complete upper and lower extremity noninvasive arterial examinations, including segmental blood pressures, Doppler analog waveforms, volume pulse recordings, digital blood pressures and penile exams
- upper and lower extremity venous duplex imaging
- preoperative vein mappings
- duplex imaging of arterial bypass grafts for surveillance of graft patency
- intraoperative duplex imaging (cerebrovascular, extremities or visceral)
- duplex imaging of arteriovenous fistulas
- venous reflux photoplethysmography
- transcranial Doppler, including intraoperative monitoring
- assessment of pseudoaneurysms and ultrasound-guided manual compression
- thoracic outlet
- Raynaud's testing
The prevention, management and restoration of cardiovascular health is the primary concern of West Penn Hospital's Cardiovascular Institute. Along with providing expert medical care, the dedicated professionals at the CVI are motivated by a philosophy of respect and concern for patients and their families. By combining advanced technology and compassionate care, the staff strives to positively impact the lives of cardiac patients who have entrusted their health to the CVI.
Last Updated: August 24, 2009
Call 1-877-284-2000 for more information.
