Collin County Living Well Magazine November/December 2017 | Page 25

High Performing Heart Care
W
hen it comes to care for your
heart, one of the nation’s
“best hospitals” is right here
in Collin County. With inno-
vative treatments, medical
excellence and five-star service, The Heart
Hospital Baylor Plano consistently earns rec-
ognition as a destination for quality heart
care.
U.S. News & World Report has again rec-
ognized The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano
as one of the “best hospitals” in the nation
for cardiology and heart surgery, as well as
“high performing” in
five areas: abdominal aortic aneurysm re-
pair, aortic valve surgery, heart bypass sur-
gery, heart failure and lung cancer surgery.
In each of these areas, the hospital continues
to set itself apart through dedicated integrat-
ed care programs, heart team approach,
advanced treatments and ongoing research.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
If left untreated, an abdominal aortic aneu-
rysm, which is an enlargement in the body’s
largest artery, can be a medical emergency.
As a regional center for aortic aneurysm
care, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano has a
specialized transfer program established to
receive those with an emergency condition
and provide immediate treatment.
For those who are at high risk of developing
an aortic aneurysm, the hospital offers CT
screenings to catch the condition before it
becomes a life-threatening problem.
If surgery is needed, endovascular surgery
may be an option. This minimally invasive
approach repairs the aneurysm inside the
aorta using a small incision and a stent.
When compared to traditional open surgery,
endovascular surgery usually offers faster re-
covery and decreased complication rates.
Aortic Valve Surgery
Based on the number of cases, The Heart
Hospital Baylor Plano is one of the nation’s
busiest centers for valve surgery. Through
Courtesy The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano
The Heart Valve Center of Texas, an out-
patient facility of the hospital, a multidis-
ciplinary team offers evaluation and treat-
ment for those with aortic valve conditions.
Since 2012, the hospital has been per-
forming transcatheter aortic valve replace-
ment (TAVR), a procedure during which a
catheter is inserted through a small incision
in the groin area up into the heart and a
new valve is inserted into place. TAVR has
expanded treatment options for those who
are otherwise unable to have traditional
open chest surgery.
To continue to improve care for valve con-
ditions, the hospital is currently involved in
several research studies related to valve
surgery, including expanding the use of
TAVR to more patients.
Heart Bypass Surgery
Heart bypass surgery is the most com-
mon surgical procedure for those with ad-
vanced coronary heart disease. The Heart
Hospital Baylor Plano currently offers sev-
eral advanced approaches to
this traditional surgery.
In some cases, surgeons may use small
incisions between the ribs to perform the
bypass surgery, instead of a large incision
down the middle of the chest. Also, many
surgeries can be performed while the heart
is still beating, known as off-pump surgery.
The hospital is also innovating traditional
bypass surgery through the use of robotics.
With this approach, surgeons use a few
small incisions and robotic technology to
perform the surgery. This typically results
in a shorter hospital stay and quicker re-
covery.
Heart Failure
For those living with heart failure, the con-
dition often requires long-term management
through lifestyle changes and medication.
The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano has a
comprehensive program for heart failure
management through the Congestive Heart
Failure Center. From dietary help to medica-
tion, a team from multiple specialties creates
a personalized plan to manage heart failure
and reduce the need for hospitalization.
For advanced heart failure, the center of-
fers a ventricular assist device (VAD) pro-
gram certified by The Joint Commission.
This mechanical device takes over the
pumping function of the heart
when other treatments have not worked.
Lung Cancer Surgery
Thoracic surgeons on the medical staff at
The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano provide
care for chest and lung diseases, including
lu ng and esophageal cancer. When lung
cancer requires surgery, often a minimally
invasive surgery can be performed, such
as robotic-assisted surgery.
At The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, ro-
botic technology is used in the majority
of thoracic surgeries, which allows more
precision in removing lung cancer. For
those undergoing a lobectomy, where part
of the diseased lung is removed, the hos-
pital’s minimally invasive options have led
to shorter average hospital stays and out-
comes that exceed national averages.
Recognized Care for Your Heart
From prevention to complex heart proce-
dures, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano is
ready to care for you.
For more information or to find a physician, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit TheHeartHosptialBaylor.com.
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