Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital Opens Institute For Congestive Heart Failure

PHOENIX, Dec. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital has opened a new Institute for Congestive Heart Failure that is being touted as one of the nation's first of its kind for comprehensive, patient-centered care.

With a goal of keeping patients out of the hospital, the Institute for Congestive Heart Failure encompasses everything from prevention and early detection to an array of treatment options, including optimized medications and revolutionary, minimally invasive procedures that help the heart work better.

Dr. Kris Vijay, the Institute's medical director, leads a multi-disciplinary team of caregivers - from nurses and pharmacists to dietitians and nephrologists.

While heart failure often requires frequent admissions and readmissions to the hospital, Vijay is optimistic about helping patients manage their heart disease to avoid hospitalization.

"Heart failure conjures up a thought that death is imminent, but nothing could be further from the truth," he said. On the contrary, heart failure patients can enjoy long and healthy lives, thanks in part to advancements in cardiovascular care."

About 5.7 million Americans live with heart failure, caused by a build-up of fluids in the body, according to the American Heart Association.

Among the factors contributing to heart failure are coronary heart disease, hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes and chronic kidney diseases, which block the coronary arteries. In addition, conditions such as cancer, treatment with some cancer medications and a few other toxic triggers can directly affect the heart muscle, leading to congestive heart failure.

At Abrazo, research, innovation and education are driving factors, with the Institute serving as a training ground for caregivers and the community.

One such procedure that is keeping patients out of the hospital is called CardioMEMS. It is a simple procedure to implant an electronic sensor, the size of a paperclip, through a catheter in the pulmonary artery that carries blood from the heart to the lungs.

At home, the patient uses a portable electronic unit and a special pillow containing an antenna to take daily sensor readings. The readings are wirelessly transmitted through a secure website and enable caregivers to make modifications to medications.

In addition to the procedures, the new Institute has five outpatient treatment areas where caregivers can remove excess salt and water from the body.

"Fluid overload is responsible for 90 percent of hospitalizations for congestive heart failure, but in our outpatient treatment areas, patients are treated with ultrafiltration and aquapheresis, a new medical technology that removes excess salt and water from the body within a few hours," said Patrick Smith, a registered nurse and the Institute's nurse navigator.

In many cases, doctors and hospitals treat heart and kidney conditions separately even though one can exacerbate the other. At the dedicated Cardiorenal Center at Arizona Heart Hospital, Abrazo caregivers address both conditions as one.

The Institute for Congestive Heart Failure is one of six specialty cardiac and vascular institutes at Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital. The hospital also is involved in more than two dozen national clinical trials on heart and cardiovascular conditions, and serves as a training ground for cardiologists nationwide.

About Abrazo Community Health Network
Abrazo Community Health Network embraces patients with the compassion of a friend while delivering the best-in-class care of a comprehensive health network. Abrazo Community Health Network encompasses five acute-care hospitals - Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital, Abrazo Arrowhead Campus, Abrazo Central Campus, Abrazo Scottsdale Campus and Abrazo West Campus - along with freestanding emergency centers, urgent care centers, primary practices and specialty practices. With a network of physicians and other skilled caregivers, Abrazo Community Health Network is expanding its depth and breadth of resources to shape the future of health care in Arizona and remain at the forefront of cardiology, neurology, oncology, orthopedics and other highly specialized care. For more information, visit AbrazoHealth.com/CongestiveHeartHealth.

Disclaimer: Dr. Kris Vijay is an independent physician and is not an employee, agent or representative of Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital. He is solely responsible for the provision of his medical services to patients.

    Contacts:                      Lori Baker

                                   (602) 674-6711 (o)

                                   (623) 221-6154 (m)

                                   labaker@abrazohealth.com


                                   Lisa Noble

                                   (602) 820-1772 (o)

                                   (602) 317-1589 (m)

                                   lisa@noble-media.com

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SOURCE Abrazo Community Health Network