“Cardiology is not just about working with hearts,” says Cardiologist Weems Pennington, MD. “Our group works on all vascular structures. If you have heart problems, you most likely have issues elsewhere. And if you do have other vascular conditions, you need to have your heart checked regularly, along with your blood pressure and cholesterol,” he says. All services are offered in one setting, and all of the cardiac and vascular specialists are trained and actively participate in continuous improvement training for treatment of heart attack, congestive heart failure and surgical care.
Time is of the Essence
The Cardiovascular Institute of Carolina has two catheterization labs that enable physicians to treat more patients. Dr. Pennington says the technology they use identifies problems quicker, so patients can be treated promptly and appropriately. They also use EKOS technology to treat deep vein thrombosis, a potentially life-threatening condition. For patients needing balloon angioplasty, a procedure in which arteries are cleared, doctors consistently achieve door-to-balloon (D2B) times of less than 60 minutes, 30 minutes faster than the national standard of 90 minutes.
Keeping Pace With Your Heart
If you have been told you have a heart arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, it means your heart’s rhythm is irregular. Dr. Pennington says for patients with these conditions, pacemakers, defibrillators or other appropriate devices can be inserted to help the heart beat normally again. For more complicated heart conditions, minimally invasive techniques can enable patients to recover quicker, smaller incisions and less pain.
After Care to Help Patients Survive and Thrive
Following surgery or other heart treatment, patients attend cardiac rehabilitation, a 12-week program designed to educate patients about heart disease, nutrition and activities that will help them recover and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Patients usually attend three times a week for one hour, and are guided through a customized exercise plan, monitored by a physician, a nurse and an exercise physiologist. By improving your fitness level and health, you can reduce your risk of having another cardiac event.
The cardiology and thoracic surgery physicians at the Cardiovascular Institute of Carolina are highly skilled in preventing, diagnosing and treating both routine and complex cardiac and vascular conditions.
The Cardiovascular Institute of Carolina at Aiken Regional offers a wide range of diagnostic, treatment and preventive options.
Diagnostic:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Color Doppler and Transesophageal Echocardiography
- Intravascular Ultrasound
- 24-Hour Holter Monitoring
- Nuclear Medicine Studies
Treatment:
- Atherectomy for Plaque Removal
- ASD Closure
- Coronary Angioplasty
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Coronary Stents
- EKOS® System for DVTs
- Emergency Services
- PFO Closure for Recurrent Stroke
- Thrombolytic Therapy
Prevention:
- Wellness and Education Programs
- Aerobic and Yoga Classes
- CPR Classes
- Support Groups
- Diabetes Education
Rehabilitation:
- Personalized cardiac rehab in partnership with the University of South Carolina at Aiken
- Programs designed to improve heart health through exercise and education on risk factor reduction
Advanced Cardiac Care for Aiken and Surrounding Communities
Find out more about the services offered at the Cardiovascular Institute of Carolina at Aiken Regional Medical Center.