Heart Treatments
Christian Hospital’s heart and vascular experts are an integrated team of specialists with advanced training in a variety of heart treatments. With services that range from medical intervention, traditional surgery and minimally invasive procedures, it’s world-class heart care that’s close to home.
Cardiac Catheterization
After anesthesia is performed, a catheter is inserted through an artery or vein in the leg or arm, and then into the heart, allowing the physician access to the heart to perform procedures that can include angioplasty (stenting), pacemaker implantation, artery plaque removal or blood clot removal.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Christian Hospital’s state-of-the-art hybrid room combines the equipment of an operating room, procedures of a cardiac catheterization lab and advanced medical imaging technology into a single space. This not only enables minimally invasive surgical procedures, but also allows the heart and vascular team to be more responsive in acute situations that require surgery.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement or TAVR, an alternative for patients who aren’t candidates for open-heart surgery, replaces the aortic valve to treat aortic stenosis. The procedure requires only a small incision and is less invasive than traditional surgery. Patients often experience a shorter hospital stay and less pain during recovery following this minimally invasive procedure. The heart team at Christian Hospital has performed more than 350 TAVR procedures.
Left Atrial Appendage Occluder (LAAO)
People with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) are five times more likely to suffer a stroke. The left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedure is an alternative to blood thinning medication (anticoagulants) and performed to prevent a stroke when in AFib. This minimally invasive procedure uses a permanent implant to close off the appendage and prevent clots from forming inside. Following an overnight stay in the hospital, patients often come off long-term blood thinners and return to their normal life.
Comprehensive Heart Care
Many types of heart conditions can be prevented or treated through lifestyle changes and medication. The BJC Medical Group’s Heart Care Group at Christian Hospital can consult and provide superior diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Services include cardiac catheterization, coronary interventions, peripheral angiograms, cardioversions, transesophageal echocardiogram, pacemaker implantation and implantable cardiac defibrillators.
Heart Surgery
Our world-class Washington University cardiothoracic surgeons have years of specialized training, and are experienced in performing complex surgical procedures, bringing academic excellence to a community hospital setting. In addition to minimally invasive procedures, we perform other surgical procedures that include heart valve replacement, atrial fibrillation ablation, aneurysm repair, coronary artery bypass grafting and arteriovenous grafting.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
After a major event like a heart attack or heart surgery, it’s important for patients to rehabilitate safely, so they can return to their lives as healthy as possible. Our Cardiac Wellness Center can offer this crucial next step in your ongoing treatment, providing personalized programs that include oversight of fitness, education and counseling.
Christian Hospital and Northwest HealthCare, members of BJC HealthCare, provide world-class medical care to the communities of North County, Greater St. Louis County and Southern Illinois.