Southeast Alabama Medical Center, recognized as one of the nation's leaders in cardiovascular care, has earned a distinguished reputation for the level of heart and vascular services available to area residents.
In addition to offering emergency heart and vascular services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, SAMC also offers a full range of preventive treatments, surgical procedures, intervention services, rehabilitation services and diagnostic techniques that are on the leading edge of heart care.
With more than 5,000 heart procedures performed annually, SAMC has more experience in heart and vascular care than any other hospital in the area. Our services include:
- Surgical & Intervention Services
- Other Services & Support Programs
For more information about Heart and Vascular Services at SAMC, call 334-712-3336 or 1-800-735-4998.
Surgical & Intervention Services
Supported by today's most advanced medical technology, SAMC's highly skilled heart and vascular specialists, along with an experienced team of nurses and technical staff, perform the latest heart surgical and intervention treatments.
Heart surgical procedures offered at SAMC include valve replacement and/or repair, coronary artery bypass and off-pump bypass procedures, and repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms.
SAMC's heart intervention services (non-surgical procedures used in the treatment of coronary artery and peripheral vascular disease) remain on the cutting edge of diagnosing and treating heart disease. Our three cardiac catheterization labs and electrophysiology lab feature the latest equipment and techniques available including:
- Diagnostic heart catheterization
- Balloon angioplasty and stent placement (including cardiac, carotid and peripheral stenting)
- Atherectomy (surgical removal of arterial plaque)
- Pacemaker and defibrillator implants
SAMC operates three heart catheterization laboratories that play a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment of heart problems. Heart catheterization helps doctors diagnose a number of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease and defective heart valves.
During the procedure, a catheter is inserted through a small incision in the groin or arm. Then it is advanced slowly through the arteries until it reaches the heart.
Once in place, the catheter can be used to measure pressure inside the heart so a physician can determine how well the heart is pumping and how well its valves are working. The catheter can also be used to insert contrast to perform two other types of diagnostic tests:
- Coronary Angiogram - helps detect blockages in the coronary arteries.
- Left Ventriculogram - used to look at the main pumping chamber of the heart.
Cardiac catheterization can also be used to treat coronary heart disease through the following procedures:
- Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) - This procedure, also known as balloon angioplasty or artery balloon dilation, is used to widen narrowed arteries.
- Stent Procedures - A stent is used to prop open an artery that has recently been cleared using balloon angioplasty.
- Rotablator - A device that is inserted into the artery to chop up blockages.
- Transluminal Extraction Catheter Atherectomy (TEC) - In this procedure, a TEC (a hollow tube equipped with a rotating cutting device) is inserted over a guide wire into the area containing blockage. The catheter then spins, with a cutting action, so the blockage is minced into tiny pieces, which are then suctioned out of the catheter.
- Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps - This is an assistive device that is often used with patients who have acute heart disease.
Other procedures performed are:
- Implantable Cardioverter/Defibrillator (ICD) - This device administers an electric shock to control tachyarrhythmias (rapid, uncoordinated activation of individual heart fibers) and restore a normal heartbeat.
- Permanent Artificial Pacemakers - This small, battery-operated device helps maintain a regular heartbeat.
- Electrophysiologic Testing (EP Studies) - This test evaluates rhythm or electrical conduction abnormalities of the heart.
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) - This procedure is often done in conjunction with an EP study and is used to treat some types of rapid heart beating.
- Intracoronary Ultrasound - A test in which an ultrasound catheter is inserted into the artery so the actual diameter of the vessel can be seen.
These procedures take from one to three hours to perform and are followed by a short hospital stay. Due to the specialized nature of these tests, physician referral is necessary.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Center
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at SAMC is for people who have had a heart event or who want to improve their health by minimizing their heart disease risk factors and increasing their understanding of heart disease.
The cardiac rehabilitation program is structured in three phases:
- Phase One is an inpatient program for patients who have had a heart event.
- Phase Two is a physician referred, medically-monitored outpatient program.
- Phase Three is a medically-supervised maintenance program. Patients may elect to use phase three to "maintain" their healthy lifestyles. During each phase, our trained staff of registered nurses, respiratory therapists and exercise specialists will design a program to meet your specific needs.
Cardiac Rehab also offers group education classes for patients and family on basic anatomy and functions of the heart, nutrition, medications, exercise, coronary risk factor modification and stress management as well as personal counseling to help you adjust to needede lifestyle changes.
Other Cardio Vascular Services and Support Programs
Caring Hearts support group offers heart patients and their families support and guidance in managing their heart disease. Sanctioned by the American Heart Association, Alabama Affiliate, Inc., Houston County Chapter, Caring Hearts meetings are held at SAMC and led by a physician or other healthcare professional.
For more information about any of our Heart and Vascular Services, call (334) 712-3336 or 1-800-735-4998.
