Anyone experiencing shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pains, changes in heart rate or rhythm or high blood pressure should see a healthcare professional, as these symptoms may indicate a heart condition. Dr. Rodney Handshoe, Dr. Hamid Nawaz, Dr. Raymon Nelson, Dr. Madhava Pally and Dr. Vibha Amblihalli, cardiologists at the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC), specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the cardiovascular system. These experienced physicians and their highly trained staff can perform a variety of tests including ECG or EKG, stress tests, echocardiogram and more to diagnose potential heart issues.

Upon the diagnosis of a heart disease or condition, a PMC cardiologist may refer the patient to a cardiac specialist, of which the Heart and Vascular Institute at PMC has twelve. For example, an interventional cardiologist may perform a heart catheterization procedure and place stents to correct blood flow, whereas an electrophysiologist may need to implant a device into the heart to combat a blood clot threat and reduce a patient’s risk of stroke.

PMC cardiologists also treat patients who have previously had a heart attack, heart failure or experienced other heart problems and diseases. Pikevile Medical Center has received prestigious accreditations and awards from many national organizations including the Society of Chest Pain Centers. After a detailed review and on-site survey, PMC was recently awarded a Level IV Accreditation as a Chest Pain Center with PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention.) This highly-acclaimed distinction made PMC one of the first five in the nation, and the first hospital in Kentucky to earn this accreditation.

In addition, the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC has been consistently named one of the top 100 hospitals in the nation in patient safety for Heart Attack Treatment by CareChex. This ranking compares clinical quality, patient safety and performance of acute care hospitals providing this life-saving service.

To learn more about cardiology services offered at PMC, visit pikevillehospital.org/heart.  To schedule an appointment, call 606-430-2201.

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I was drawn to PMC after seeing the medical center’s state-of-the-art equipment and facilities and feeling the warmth and hospitality of the friendly staff. I devoted many years of my career to working at large urban hospitals. Yet, after visiting PMC in 2016, I knew my next chapter would be in Pikeville, Kentucky.

In a region that experiences high death rates due to heart disease, it has been vital for PMC to invest in comprehensive heart care. What began as a small heart program has blossomed into a multi-service Heart and Vascular Institute that offers the experience, expertise and technology needed to provide comprehensive heart care in Eastern Kentucky. It has been a pleasure to be a part of that growth.”

~~Dermot P. Halpin, MD, FACS, PMC Cardiothoracic Surgeon

“I consider myself fortunate to have been born and raised in Pikeville, a tight-knit community that looks out for and cares for its own. When I left for college and then medical school, I honestly didn’t think I would be able to come back here to practice. Pikeville Medical Center, then known as Pikeville Methodist Hospital, was still a relatively small hospital that offered limited options for cardiac care. I ended up specializing in electrophysiology, a sub-specialty in heart care that is typically only offered in large medical facilities. Little did I know, the hospital was growing faster than anyone ever expected. The growth that occurred in the 15 years between my graduation from Pikeville High School and when I returned to practice electrophysiology here is mind-boggling.

There is no better feeling than caring for the people in the community that I love so dearly. As the years go by, I grow even more proud of the progression and improvements made at the hospital in which I was born. There is a saying here that perfectly captures the drive behind PMC’s growth – “Where you live should not determine IF you live.” I’m not sure who said it first, but I believe those words wholeheartedly and repeat them often to my patients.

I am proud to say I practice medicine at an award-winning medical center in my hometown. Many years ago, the Mountain Parkway that connected Pikeville to Lexington, was a one-way route AWAY from Eastern Kentucky when it came to obtaining specialty healthcare. That is no longer the case.

When it comes to cardiac care, our administration and board of directors have made it a priority to provide the advanced technology and equipment needed to offer quality specialty care and attract experts who are at the top of their field. Today, I am proud to say I am one of them. When we decide to call PMC home, we are given only one instruction – to deliver heart and vascular care that is second to none.

That mentality is what has driven Pikeville Medical Center’s growth over the past 100 years and is what will enable this history-making momentum to continue far into the future.”

~~Chase Reynolds, MD, PMC Electrophysiologist

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AFib is a progressive condition that affects nearly 60 million people worldwide. Without early intervention, AFib can progress, becoming more sustained over time. Progression of AFib is associated with a higher rate of cardiovascular admissions, heart failure, stroke and mortality, along with a reduced quality of life.

The PulseSelect PFA system delivers pulsed electric fields through an ablation catheter designed specifically to interrupt irregular electrical pathways in the heart that trigger AFib. Current ablation technologies rely on thermal effects to target cardiac tissue and risk damage to additional collateral structures in the heart. PFA is a breakthrough ablation technology that uses pulsed electric fields to isolate the pulmonary veins for the treatment of AFib efficiently. Because the mechanism of cell death is non-thermal, the risk of collateral structure damage is believed to be lower.

“AFib is an ever-growing cardiac concern worldwide, and we see especially high rates in our region. Because of this, we have more patients than ever coming in looking for treatment,” said Dr. Souza. “The PulseSelect PFA system can provide patients with a treatment option that may have less risk of causing unwanted injury to surrounding tissues like traditional ablation technologies – helping physicians put patient safety first. We are pleased to have treated our first patient with this new technology, and we look forward to helping advance the future of AFib treatment by offering innovative solutions to the people of Central Appalachia.”

PMC is a leader in heart care, and as such, continuously searches for new and advanced treatment options.

“As we look to improve cardiovascular care in the region, PMC strives to utilize the latest technological innovations that meet the needs of our patients and our physicians,” said PMC Chairman, President and CEO Donovan Blackburn. “This is a growing patient population, and we must keep looking for ways to provide them with the best care possible. This is a monumental step forward in the right direction.”

To learn more or to schedule an appointment at the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at Pikeville Medical Center, call (606) 430-2201.

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The Heart & Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) staffs four skilled cardiac electrophysiologists with many years of experience addressing irregular heart rhythms. Often dubbed as the “electricians of the heart,” the experienced team of electrophysiologists at PMC utilize state-of-the-art technology to treat patients from Eastern Kentucky facing conditions affecting their heart’s rhythm.

PMC’s four electrophysiologists are Michael Antimisiaris, MD, Chase Reynolds, MD, Joseph Souza, MD, FACC, FHRS, and Rahul Dhawan, MD. This team of highly-trained, experienced physicians provides life-changing care for patients and has played a major role in the growth of the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC.

PMC electrophysiologists have multiple intervention options at their fingertips, many of which are used to treat atrial fibrillation (Afib), the most common type of irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. A few options for Afib treatment include cardioversions, defibrillators, ablations and pacemakers. Cardioversions are electrical pulses sent to jolt the heart back into regular rhythm. Ablations are tiny burns meant to create scars in the heart to stabilize electrical circuits. There are several ablation therapies used at Pikeville Medical Center.

Recently, PMC was recognized as one of the first hospitals in the country and one of only three hospitals in Kentucky to offer a Hybrid AF Therapy. This procedure is for qualifying patients with long-standing, persistent AFib, and is proving to be a game changer for qualifying patients.

Pacemakers, implantable devices that support the heart’s electrical system, are another form of treatment for AFib that has proved beneficial for many patients . PMC uses several pacemaker devices including the well-known Micra Leadless Pacemaker.

PMC remains in the top percentage of hospitals in the state for volume of advanced procedures including WATCHMAN, Hybrid Ablation, leadless pacemakers, Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD) implementation, Cryoablation Therapy and much more.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (606)-430-2201 or visit www.pmcky.org/services/heart-and-vascular-institute/electrophysiology/

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AFib affects the top two chambers of the heart (the atria), causing the blood pushing from the heart to pump inefficiently. Because the atria are not moving blood properly, blood pools and often gets stuck, leading to clotting. If clots are pushed into the brain, it can result in an ischemic stroke.

AFib is the most common heart rhythm disorder in the nation and in Eastern Kentucky. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports more than 454,000 hospitalizations with AFib as the primary diagnosis each year in the United States. The CDC also estimates the condition contributes to about 158,000 deaths each year, a number that has been steadily rising for more than two decades.

Some people have AFib but do not possess the knowledge to recognize the symptoms, which include irregular heartbeat, palpitations, lightheadedness, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain.

AFib can lead to heart failure and stroke, primarily because AFib’s irregular heartbeat leads to ineffective pumping of the blood, which may weaken the heart over time. In addition, studies show one in four strokes in patients over the age of 40 are caused by AFib.

Atrial Fibrillation is commonly treated with medication but sometimes require surgical interventions. Common causes of AFib include high blood pressure, heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism and more. It is always recommended to maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly and attend frequent check-ups at a primary care provider.

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Patients with long-standing, persistent A-Fib may be candidates for a new type of hybrid ablation procedure that is proving to be a game changer for qualifying patients. Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) is one of the first hospitals in the country and one of only three hospitals in Kentucky to offer Hybrid AF Therapy, which is twice as effective at stopping A-Fib than traditional ablation methods alone, and is the only FDA-approved minimally invasive ablation therapy to treat atrial fibrillation lasting longer than one year.

Historically, this category of A-Fib patients has been more challenging to treat, but with the proven success of this new therapy and the highly skilled team assembled at PMC, surgeons in Pikeville are now performing one of the most advanced procedures available anywhere in the country.

The Hybrid AF Therapy utilizes a team approach and involves two types of specialized cardiac surgeons, electrophysiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons.  The Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC is proud to offer three electrophysiologists, Dr. Michael Antimisiaris, Dr. Chase Reynolds and Dr. Joseph Souza, and two cardiothoracic surgeons, Dr. Dermot Halpin and Dr. M. Paul Randhawa.

PMC prides itself in continuing to offer new and innovative therapies for patients who had limited options in the past, creating additional opportunities for patients to receive state-of-the-art  cardiac care close to home.

To make an appointment at the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky, call (606) 430-2201.

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The Aveir VR leadless pacemaker provides a new and exciting option to assist physicians in the treatment of patients with certain abnormal heart rhythms. Like other leadless pacemakers, Aveir VR does not require insulated wires – known as cardiac leads – that deliver the electrical energy to the heart. Instead, the device is implanted directly into the heart’s right lower chamber using a minimally invasive procedure.

The Aveir VR is simply one among several state-of-the-art pieces of technology utilized at the PMC Heart and Vascular Institute by its experienced team of specialists and support staff. Other equipment and advanced technology utilized at PMC includes WATCHMAN, TAVR, ICDs and other pacemakers.

Pikeville Medical Center’s cutting-edge technology coupled with a team of cardiac specialists bring a broad range of expertise, resulting in comprehensive heart care for the people of the region.

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For cardiac patients, PMC’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program offers lifestyle monitoring and fitness programs to help restore the patient’s heart to maximum efficiency. Cardiac rehab programs are designed to help heart patients incorporate changes into their daily routines such as exercising, taking medications and eating a heart healthy diet. PMC’s Stage II & Stage III Cardiac Rehab gives patients who have suffered from heart disease the tools they need to return to an active lifestyle.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs offer substantial benefits in improving lung function, reducing symptoms and improving quality of life for persons with chronic lung disease. The program will help patients feel better and learn how to manage chronic lung diseases such as COPD.

Pikeville Medical Center’s Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program has been accredited by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehab (AACVPR) since 2012.

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Going above and beyond in these various areas of specialties has allowed PMC to receive numerous recognitions and accreditations. Pikeville Medical Center has received full Atrial Fibrillation Certification status from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care as well as a Level IV Accreditation as a Chest Pain Center with PCI by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. PMC has demonstrated its commitment to quality patient care by meeting or exceeding a wide set of criteria and undergoing a comprehensive review by these organizations.

The PMC Heart & Vascular Institute includes a cardiac rehabilitation department, 29 exam rooms, two waiting rooms, two electrophysiology cath labs and three cardiac cath labs.

For more information on the PMC Heart and Vascular Institute, call 606-430-2201

The post A One-Time Implant Could Reduce Stroke Risk appeared first on Pikeville Medical Center.

PMC was one of the first hospitals in Kentucky to implant the Watchman Device, which effectively reduces the risk of stroke in certain patients. The procedure involves implanting the device about the size of a quarter into the left atrial appendage of the heart. The Watchman Device is designed to be used in patients with an irregular heartbeat, also known as atrial fibrillation (AFib).

“When a patient is experiencing AFib, blood can clot in the left atrial appendage of the heart. If the blood clot breaks, it can travel to the brain and block proper blood flow. The lack of oxygen carried in blood will cause patients to have a stroke,” explained PMC Electrophysiologist Chase Reynolds, MD.

“The Watchman removes the risk of clot formation in that part of the heart.”

“Before this procedure, patients with AFib who were considered high risk of stroke were treated with blood-thinning medications to reduce the risk of a stroke,” said PMC Electrophysiologist Michael Antimisiaris, MD. “At Pikeville Medical Center, we now have advanced technology that allows us to do so much more for our patients.”

Dr. Antimisiaris added that patients with AFib could have difficulty tolerating blood-thinning medications, causing additional concerns for patients. Those patients are ideal candidates for the Watchman Device.

PMC continues to provide advancements that raise the bar for heart health with advanced procedures that allow patients to stay close to home and receive quality care. Please visit  https://www.pmcky.org/services/heart-and-vascular-institute/electrophysiology/ or call the PMC Heart & Vascular Institute at 606-430-2201.

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