Testimonials AFib's Impact on Stroke Risk An Alternative to Blood Thinners

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How Does AFib Increase Stroke Risk?

The average person with atrial fibrillation (also called AFib or AF) is five times more likely to have a stroke than someone with a regular heartbeat.¹ That’s because AFib can decrease the heart’s pumping capacity by as much as 30%.² Because blood isn’t pumped out of the heart normally, it’s easier for blood cells to stick together and form clots in an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA).^{2, 3} When a blood clot escapes from the LAA and travels to another part of the body, it can cut off the blood supply to the brain, causing a stroke.^{1, 4}

In people with atrial fibrillation not caused by heart valve problems (the most common type of AFib), more than 90% of stroke-causing clots that come from the heart are formed in the LAA.³

Reducing AFib Stroke Risk

Blood thinners, also called anticoagulants, are an effective way to lower the risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation not caused by heart valve problems.⁵ Common blood thinners include warfarin (also known as Coumadin^®), Eliquis^®, Pradaxa^®, Xarelto^® and Savaysa^®.

But some people need an alternative to blood thinners, because they can increase the risk of bleeding.⁵ Some bleeding events are minor and easily treated, like a cut taking longer than normal to stop bleeding. In other cases, the bleeding can be life-threatening, such as when bleeding in the brain causes a stroke.

If you have a history of bleeding or a lifestyle, occupation or condition that puts you at risk for bleeding, your doctor may consider an alternative to blood thinners, such as the WATCHMAN Implant.

WATCHMAN is a permanent implant that offers an alternative to the lifelong use of blood thinners. It’s about the size of a quarter and made from very light and compact materials commonly used in many other medical implants.

How WATCHMAN Works

WATCHMAN effectively reduces the risk of stroke by permanently closing off the LAA to keep blood clots from escaping. WATCHMAN can eliminate the bleeding risks and regular blood tests and food-and-drink restrictions that come with warfarin. In a clinical trial, 9 out of 10 people were able to stop taking warfarin just 45 days after the WATCHMAN procedure.⁶

How is WATCHMAN Implanted?

WATCHMAN is implanted into your heart in a one-time procedure. To implant WATCHMAN, your doctor makes a small cut in your upper leg and inserts a narrow tube, as done in a standard stent procedure. Your doctor then guides WATCHMAN into your heart’s LAA. The procedure is done under general anesthesia and takes about an hour. Patients commonly stay in the hospital overnight and leave the next day.

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Why Treating Your Atrial Fibrillation is So Important Causes of Atrial Fibrillation The Stages of Atrial Fibrillation and How it Affects Your Health Treatments of Atrial Fibrillation Types of Ablation Hybrid AF Therapy Is Hybrid AF Therapy Right For You? Sources and Risk Information

Atrial fibrillation (Afib, AF) is the most commonly diagnosed abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) in the U.S.: ¹

• 8 million people in the U.S. have Afib¹
• 2 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Afib each year¹
• 1 in 4 adults will develop Afib in their lifetime²
• 33 million people around the world have Afib³

Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm caused by erratic electrical signals in the heart. A normal heart rhythm creates regular electrical signals that travel through the heart. The signals are essential for the heart to beat in a steady, rhythmic way. This allows blood to be pumped to all parts of the body. Sometimes the electrical signals become irregular, and the heart beats abnormally.

Atrial fibrillation is also called Afib or AF. If not properly treated, it can grow worse over time and possibly damage your heart. Atrial fibrillation can also lead to health problems:

5x increase in stroke risk⁴

5x increase in heart failure development⁵

Atrial fibrillation also leads to a higher risk of:⁶

• Chronic fatigue
• Decreased activity level
• Decline in quality of life

It’s best to have atrial fibrillation treated before it progresses and causes other health problems.⁷

Even after people develop other heart problems, there is hope. When atrial fibrillation is successfully treated it can:

• Reverse the stretching of the left atrium⁷
• Improve heart function overall⁷
• Improve your symptoms⁸
• Reduce the number of heart medications you need⁷

Several medical conditions and risk factors might affect the normal function of the heart, leading to an irregular heart rhythm.

If not properly treated, AFib progresses to more severe stages and can cause damage to the heart.

Medical Conditions

Conditions that may cause people to develop atrial fibrillation include:⁹

• Diabetes—The glucose (blood sugar) imbalance that occurs with diabetes can directly affect the tissues of the heart.
• Obesity—This puts a person at higher risk for atrial fibrillation.
• Sleep apnea—When a person is awakened by lack of oxygen from sleep apnea, it stresses the heart. It can also cause chemical changes inside the heart.
• Overactive thyroid gland—When the thyroid is too active, it increases the heart rate.

Risk Factors

Doctors have also identified risk factors that can lead to atrial fibrillation:⁹

• Heart attacks
• Heart failure
• Heart valve disease
• Coronary artery disease
• High blood pressure
• Aging
• Family history of atrial fibrillation

Many other factors that can lead to atrial fibrillation, listed below,⁹ are within your control. Talk to your health care provider about how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

• Smoking—The risk seems to increase for long-term smokers. But the risk lowers if you quit.
• Stress—Emotional stress, including panic disorders, can also put someone at higher risk of atrial fibrillation.
• Alcohol—Alcohol consumption, and especially binge drinking, raises a person’s risk.
• Caffeine—Caffeine increases the heart rate, which can trigger atrial fibrillation.¹⁰

Trigger Areas for Atrial Fibrillation

There are 3 areas of the heart where atrial fibrillation normally starts. The trigger points are:

• The base of the pulmonary veins (PV)
• The posterior (back) wall
• The left atrial appendage (LAA)

Early Stage of Atrial Fibrillation

Paroxysmal Afib symptoms include:

• Palpitations
• Fluttering feeling in the chest
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

If not effectively treated, paroxysmal Afib may progress to more advanced stages.

Advanced Stages of Atrial Fibrillation

• Persistent Afib
• Long-standing persistent Afib

• Long-standing persistent Afib affects approximately:¹

  • 45% of all AFib patients
  • 5 million people in the United States

   

How Atrial Fibrillation Impacts Your Health

Atrial fibrillation causes physical changes to the structure and shape of the heart.

Scarring: Atrial fibrillation can lead to scarring of the atrial tissue.

Stretching: Eventually the heart tissue becomes stretched, too. As the walls of the heart are stretched, the heart muscle becomes weaker.

Stiffening: The heart muscle gets stiffer, so that it’s harder for the heart to pump properly.

Atrial fibrillation also leads to a higher risk of:⁶

• Stroke
• Heart failure
• Dementia
• Chronic fatigue
• Decreased activity level
• Decline in quality of life
• Sudden death

Treatments vary, depending on the stage of atrial fibrillation. Because undertreated atrial fibrillation can progress to more advanced stages, it is very important to talk with your healthcare provider about proper treatment.

Lifestyle Changes

• Make exercise and healthy food choices a part of your daily life.
• If needed, get a sleep study to find out if you have sleep apnea and need CPAP therapy.

 

Medications

Medications can help a person in different ways:

• Medications can treat blood pressure, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid.
• Blood thinners can reduce the risk of stroke.
• Rate control medications slow the heartbeat.
• Rhythm control medications help control the heart rhythm.

 

Cardioversion

Cardioversion is done at a hospital or clinic. This therapy delivers a controlled electric shock to the outside of the chest to restore a normal heart rhythm.

If your symptoms continue and are not controlled by medications, your doctor may consider ablation therapy.

The goal of an ablation is to stop the atrial fibrillation, or to make the episodes shorter and less frequent.

Ablation creates lesions, or barriers, on the heart tissue in an effort to stop the erratic electrical signals that cause atrial fibrillation. There are 2 types of ablation:

• Endocardial radiofrequency (RF) ablation: Treats the inside the heart—it is most often used to treat paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, an earlier stage of Afib.
• Epicardial ablation: Treats the outside the heart

 

Hybrid AF Therapy combines both types of ablation. It creates lesions inside (endocardial RF) and outside (epicardial) of the heart. Hybrid AF Therapy is used to treat long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

Step 1 of Hybrid AF Therapy: Lesions on the Outside of the Heart

Epicardial (outside of the heart) lesions target areas of the heart that cannot be reached from the inside of the heart.

• The doctor makes a small 2–3 cm incision under the breastbone.
• Once the doctor has access to the heart, lesions are created across the posterior (back) wall.
• These epicardial lesions overlap to create a barrier to the erratic electrical signals that cause atrial fibrillation.

tep 2 of Hybrid AF Therapy: Lesions on the Inside of the Heart

Endocardial (inside of the heart) lesions target areas of the heart that are difficult to reach from the outside.

• A second doctor makes a small incision in the femoral vein in the upper thigh. This allows access to your heart through the vein.
• The doctor looks at an electrical “map” of your heart. It can show any remaining abnormal electrical signals after your first procedure.
• The doctor then creates lesions at the pulmonary veins and at any areas that still have abnormal electrical activity.

 

Your hospital stay will be typically two to three days. Your doctor will:

• Prescribe medication to prevent inflammation soon after the procedure
• Tell you when you can resume taking needed heart medications
• Tell you if you may be able to stop taking certain heart medications

 

Before you leave the hospital, you will be given a card with important information about your procedure and medications. It also tells you whom to call if you have questions. Keep this in your wallet or purse.

Your healthcare team will tell you when you can return to your daily activities.

The goal of ablation treatment for atrial fibrillation is to stop the irregular heart rhythm or reduce Afib episodes, so that they are shorter and less frequent. This helps the heart return to a more normal size, pump better and improve its function overall.⁷

It may be, but only a health care provider can determine the best treatment for you.

When Hybrid AF Therapy effectively stops atrial fibrillation, there can be other important benefits to the heart:

• Reverse the stretching of the left atrium⁷
• Improve heart function overall⁷
• Improve your symptoms⁸
• Reduce the number of heart medications you need to take⁷

Talk to your doctor about how to find the right treatment for your stage of atrial fibrillation.

1. Colilla, S. et al. (2013). Estimates of current and future incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the U.S. adult population. American journal of cardiology, 112(8), 1142-1147.

2. Lloyd-Jones, D.M., et al. (2004). Lifetime risk for development of atrial fibrillation. Circulation, 110, 1042-1046. doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000140263.20897.42

3. Rahman, F., et al. (2014). Global epidemiology of atrial fibrillation. Nature reviews cardiology, 11, 639-654. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2014.118

4. Benjamin, E.J., et al. (2019). Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics — 2019 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation, 139m e56-e528, DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000659

5. Odutayo, A. et al. (2016). Atrial fibrillation and risks of cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and death: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 354, i4482.

6. Calkins, H. et al. (2018). 2017 HRS/EHRA/ECAS/APHRS/SOLAECE Expert Consensus Statement on Catheter and Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation. Heart rhythm, 14(10):e275-444.

7. Benussi, S., & de Maat, G.E. (2018). Atrial remodelling and function: implications for atrial fibrillation surgery. European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery, 53(i1):i2–i8, https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezx340

8. AtriCure. (2020). PMA P200002 FDA Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Data: Epi-Sense® Guided Coagulation System.

9. National Institutes of Health. Atrial Fibrillation. Accessed November 2020. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation.

10. WebMD. Atrial Fibrillation: Causes, Risk Factors, and Triggers. Accessed December 2020. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/atrial-fibrillation/causes-risks-triggers-afib.

11. Barbarossa, A., et al. (2014). Silent atrial fibrillation: a critical review. Journal of atrial fibrillation, 7(3),
12. http://www.jafib.com/PMC/XML/Inprogress/1138/1138pdf_federico_guerra.pdf

12. DeLurgio, D.B., et al. (2021). Hybrid epicardial-endocardial RF ablation vs. endocardial catheter ablation for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation treatment: Results from CONVERGE randomized controlled trial. International AF Symposium.

Hybrid AF Therapy is for the treatment of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

Risk Information: This procedure is not recommended for patients with Barrett’s Esophagitis, presence of left atrial thrombus (clot), a systemic infection, or an active infection local to the surgical site at the time of surgery (i.e. active endocarditis).

Potential procedural complications include, but are not limited to: Pericardial effusion, pericarditis, infection, cardiac tamponade, pulmonary vein stenosis, vessel injury, tissue perforation, excessive bleeding, phrenic nerve injury, left atrial rupture, esophageal fistula, heart attack, new arrhythmias, thromboembolic complication, stroke/TIA/neurologic complication, complete heart block requiring permanent pacemaker implantation, serious skin burn, a buildup of fluid around your lungs, or death.

This information is not comprehensive. Talk to your health care provider to obtain the FDA-approved product labeling or visit www.AtriCure.com.

Rx Only.

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Dr. Ananthaneni specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease and heart failure. As a noninvasive cardiologist with a background in internal medicine, she provides patients with comprehensive, compassionate care.

“I want to work on improving the quality of life for patients struggling with heart conditions,” says Dr. Ananthaneni. “I want our patients and their families to feel comfortable and know their heart is safe in our hands.”

Dr. Ananthaneni is highly skilled in performing and interpreting a variety of cardiac diagnostic tests, including, but not limited to, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms (TTE and TEE), stress echocardiograms and nuclear stress tests. She provides both inpatient and outpatient consultations for a broad range of cardiac concerns.

Her extensive training includes a cardiology fellowship at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey, and experience as a Research Fellow at the Mayo Clinic. With this wealth of knowledge and expertise, Dr. Ananthaneni brings advanced cardiac care to Eastern Kentucky and is now accepting new patients.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ananthaneni, please call (606) 430-2201 or visit www.pikevillehospital.org/heart.

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Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Silver recognition for its commitment to offering rapid, research-based care to people experiencing a specific type of heart attack known as a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Each year, more than 1 million cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) require hospitalization in the U.S., and about 70% of ACS cases are classified as NSTEMI, caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery.[1],[2]

“The American Heart Association has developed guidelines for a NSTEMI heart attack. These guidelines include specific recommendations for in-hospital care and cardiac rehabilitation post-discharge,” said Abhinav Goyal, M.D., MHS, FACC, FAHA, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Coronary Artery Disease System of Care Advisory Group.

The NSTEMI award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date research-based guidelines for NSTEMI care as outlined by the American Heart Association.

“I am proud to be one of the many experienced and talented cardiologists to take care of the patients with Non-STEMI MI at Pikeville Medical Center, said Dr. Raymon K Nelson, Cardiologist at the Heart and Vascular Institute. “At PMC, we pride ourselves on positively impacting the damaging effects that Non-STEMI (heart attacks) have on the Eastern Kentucky community. Early recognition and treatment of NSTEMI heart attacks at Pikeville Medical Center benefits thousands of patients every year.”

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Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease Rural Gold Level Recognition for its commitment to offering rapid, research-based care to people experiencing a specific type of heart attack known as an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks.

Each year, more than 1 million cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) require hospitalization in the U.S., and about 30% of ACS cases are classified as STEMI, caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery.^[1] Like all heart attacks, this requires timely treatment to restore blood flow as quickly as possible.

“When someone experiences a STEMI heart attack, American Heart Association guidelines call for specific actions performed in the hospital in a consistent and timely fashion to prevent further myocardial damage and to save lives,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, co-author on the American Heart Association’s presidential advisory on rural health. “Where you live should not determine if you live, and rural communities deserve high-quality cardiac care. Pikeville Medical Center is recognized for consistently providing these patients with the care, guidance and medical therapy they need to give them the best chance of survival.”

The Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease Rural Recognition award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date research-based guidelines for STEMI care as outlined by the American Heart Association.

“We are proud that our team at Pikeville Medical Center is being recognized for the important work we do every day to improve the lives of people in Eastern Kentucky who experience heart attack, giving them the best possible chance of recovery and survival,” said Jamessa Scott, Performance Improvement Nurse Practitioner. “As a hospital in a rural community, we deal with characteristics, such as extended interfacility transportation times and limited staffing resources. We’ve made it a goal to make sure those hurdles do not affect the standard of care our patients receive.”

The award recognizes hospitals for their efforts toward STEMI care excellence demonstrated by composite score compliance with guideline-directed care, including timely electrocardiogram and transfer, aspirin administration, administration of thrombolytic therapy, receptor inhibitor and anticoagulant, and more.

“We set a goal of achieving Gold Status for Rural STEMI Care for PMC this year, and we successfully accomplished it,” said Scott, Performance Improvement Nurse Practitioner. “I am in awe of the team we have here at PMC. This award speaks volumes about the dedication, hard work and commitment every team member brings to the care of some of our sickest patients.”

[1] Akbar H, Foth C, Kahloon RA, Mountfort S. Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; January 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532281/.

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The innovative procedure was led by Dr. M. Paul Randhawa, board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon at the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC. The team of highly specialized experts included interventional cardiologists Dr. Maen Assali and Dr. Joseph Choo, and cardiac anesthesiologist Dr. Joshua Hensley.

Additional key figures in this process included PMC’s perfusionist, the Cardiac Cath Lab team and nursing care teams from the Heart and Vascular Institute. A clinical specialist from AngioDynamics, the company that developed the AngioVac System, also provided important guidance during the planning process.

The patient, who had previously undergone open-heart surgery and was undergoing dialysis, was diagnosed with having an infected mitral valve on the left side of their heart. Typically, this condition requires open-heart surgery, but the patient’s complex medical history put them at too high of a risk for the procedure.

“This patient’s condition was critical, and traditional surgical options were not viable,” said Dr. Randhawa. “Utilizing the AngioVac system allowed us to remove the infection without
subjecting the patient to the risks associated with open-heart surgery.“

The AngioVac system, developed by AngioDynamics, is a vacuum-assisted device designed to remove unwanted material within the heart’s valves. Because the AngioVac is typically used for right-sided heart infections, it is rare and complex for it to be used for left-sided infections, particularly involving the mitral valve. Dr. Randhawa’s team was the first in Kentucky to use the AngioVac system for such a case, proving to be another remarkable accomplishment for the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC.

Every aspect of the procedure, from diagnosis to execution, was coordinated with extraordinary attention to detail, safety, and patient care. The case was extensively reviewed and planned alongside the AngioDynamics clinical team, ensuring all potential outcomes were addressed.

“This case exemplifies PMC’s commitment to providing cutting-edge,  patient-centered care,” said Dr. Randhawa. By leveraging advanced technology and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, we can offer life-saving treatments to patients who might otherwise have limited options.”

The Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC is dedicated to delivering comprehensive cardiac care through a team of highly skilled specialists, healthcare professionals, coupled with state-of-the-art technology and advanced medical equipment. This recent achievement is just one example of the institute’s role as a leader in innovative cardiovascular treatments in the region.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Heart and Vascular Institute at (606) 430-2201 or visit www.pikevillehospital.org/heart.

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The innovative procedure was led by Dr. M. Paul Randhawa, board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon at the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC, in collaboration with a highly specialized, multidisciplinary care team. This included interventional cardiologists Dr. Maen Assali and Dr. Joseph Choo, and cardiac anesthesiologist Dr. Joshua Hensley, who guided the procedure with meticulous precision utilizing transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

Additional key contributors to the success of this complex case included PMC’s perfusionist, the Cardiac Cath Lab team, and nursing care teams from the Heart and Vascular Institute. A clinical specialist from AngioDynamics, the company that developed the AngioVac system, also provided crucial guidance during the planning phase.

The patient, who had previously undergone open-heart surgery and was undergoing dialysis, presented with an infected mitral valve—a condition that typically necessitates open-heart surgery. However, due to the patient’s complex medical history, conventional surgery posed an unacceptably high risk.

“This patient’s condition was critical, and traditional surgical options were not viable,” said Dr. Randhawa. “Utilizing the AngioVac system allowed us to remove the infection without subjecting the patient to the risks associated with open-heart surgery.”

The AngioVac system, developed by AngioDynamics, is a vacuum-assisted device designed to remove unwanted intravascular material. While commonly used for right-sided heart infections, its application in left-sided infections, particularly involving the mitral valve, is rare and complex. This procedure marks the first for such a case in Kentucky, another remarkable feat for the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC.

Dr. Assali emphasized the importance of teamwork in the procedure’s success. “The complexity of accessing the left side of the heart and the patient’s medical condition required meticulous planning and collaboration among our multidisciplinary team,” he said. “Dr. Randhawa’s expertise and experience with the AngioVac system was instrumental in navigating this challenging case.”

Every aspect of the procedure, from diagnosis to execution, was coordinated with extraordinary attention to detail, safety, and patient care. The case was extensively reviewed and planned in consultation with the AngioDynamics clinical team, ensuring all contingencies were addressed.

“This case exemplifies PMC’s commitment to providing cutting-edge, patient-centered care,” said Dr. Randhawa. “By leveraging advanced technology and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, we can offer life-saving treatments to patients who might otherwise have limited options.”

The Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC is dedicated to delivering comprehensive cardiac care through a team of highly skilled specialists, healthcare professionals, coupled with state-of-the-art technology and advanced medical equipment. This recent achievement underscores the institute’s role as a leader in innovative cardiovascular treatments in the region.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Heart and Vascular Institute at (606) 430-2201 or visit www.pikevillehospital.org/heart.

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Maintaining a healthy heart is crucial for overall well-being and longevity and can quite literally make the difference between life and death. Health officials stress that understanding risk factors and taking preventive measures are essential to minimizing the risk of a heart attack and paving the way for a healthier future.

Heart attacks, or myocardial infarctions, occur when blood flow to a part of the heart becomes blocked. Heart attacks often result from the buildup of cholesterol and other substances which form plaque in the coronary arteries. This buildup leads to the development of clots that block blood flow to the heart muscle. Risk factors include age, family history, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure and physical inactivity. Preventive measures include adopting a healthy lifestyle, smoking cessation, regular check-ups and stress management.

In the case of a heart attack, the Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) Emergency Department (ED) and the nationally recognized Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC work together to make the patient experience as seamless and manageable as possible. In recent years, PMC has installed 3 state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization (cath) labs, which has led to more advanced and comprehensive care for heart attack patients. When it comes to a heart attack, time is a vital factor. Strategically placed near the ED, the location of the cath labs lowers the time it takes for patients to access the life-saving care they need.

The Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC offers the expertise of highly trained and experienced Interventional Cardiologists who offer several types of heart attack treatments including angioplasty, stent implantation, various kinds of atherectomy and valvuloplasty.

Pikeville Medical Center is part of a small percentage of hospitals in the United States that can provide percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for heart attack treatment. The medical center has been awarded Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation with PCI by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for several consecutive years. The accreditation is based on a rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who come to the cardiac cath lab.

In addition, PMC has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline STEMI Receiving Center Bronze recognition for its commitment to offering rapid, research-based care to people experiencing heart attacks known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks.

To learn more about services offered at the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC, visit https://www.pmcky.org/services/heart-and-vascular-institute/

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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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Cardiac rehabilitation is a vital component of the healing process for patients who have experienced heart-related problems. The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) reports that cardiac rehab patients are nearly 60% less likely to experience a cardiac-related death, which is a reassuring statistic for cardiac patients.

The Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) is widely recognized on a state and national level for the advanced technology and experienced group of specialized providers available to treat patients during a cardiac emergency. However, this experienced team of surgeons, specialists and support staff also makes headlines with the care offered to patients during their recovery from a cardiac event.

The Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky was recently notified by the AACVPR that its cardiovascular rehabilitation program had received certification following an extensive review process. AACVPR program certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to specific standards and guidelines.

AACVPR-certified programs are recognized as leaders in the cardiac rehabilitation field because they have been identified as having proven track records of providing high-quality patient care and meet strict performance measurements which have led to better patient outcomes.

For more information about the cardiac rehabilitation program at Pikeville Medical Center, visit https://www.pmcky.org/heart/cardiac-rehab/, call 606-430-8771 or scan the code provided.

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