Cardiothoracic surgeon James O’Rourke, M.D., prepares to operate in one of WBH’s surgical suites.

During its 30-year history of advanced cardiac care, Western Baptist has continually brought leading-edge, lifesaving procedures home to the community. Recent ones include:

Hole-in-the-Heart Closure
Performed in Baptist Heart Center’s cath labs, PFO closure is a minimally invasive alternative to major heart surgery.

A PFO is a small flap valve defect between the right and left atriums that can open with increased pressure on the chest, such as during strenuous lifting or a severe cough.

When the valve is opened, a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke may result. By closing the hole, debris cannot enter, thus decreasing the patient’s risk for stroke.

By inserting a catheter into the groin and placing an implant at the site of the hole, new tissue will grow and become part of the heart, said cardiologist J. Kenneth Ford, M.D.

Laser Revascularization
TMR, or transmyocardial laser revascularization, is a new procedure to treat inoperable heart disease in people with persistent angina not relieved by any other method.

Instead of traditional bypass surgery, a laser improves blood flow to areas of the heart not treated by angioplasty or surgery.

Emergency Aorta Repair
A thoracic aortic (large artery of the chest) aneurysm can be fixed without open-chest intervention.

Cardiothoracic surgeon James O’Rourke, M.D., said surgeons can insert an endovascular stent to exclude the aneurysm through a catheter in a minimally invasive procedure.

“The most common symptoms of thoracic aortic aneurysms include throbbing chest pain and back pain,” said Dr. O’Rourke. “Recognizing symptoms quickly and promptly intervening is crucial.”

CARDIAC ASIST Pump
For patients with severe heart failure, Western Baptist offers the AbioMed Ventricular Cardiac Assist Pump, an implanted device that functions as a natural heart to pump blood throughout the body.

It can last for weeks or months while patients await a heart transplant or return of normal heart function.