Adult Services, Cardiovascular

A minimally invasive option for mitral regurgitation in high-risk patients

Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a minimally invasive treatment for patients at high risk for conventional surgery. Mitral valve regurgitation sometimes doesn’t need any treatment or can be treated with medication. In moderate to severe cases the valve needs repair to make it close tighter…

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Cardiovascular, Pediatric Services

Neurocognitive deficits in adult congenital heart disease patients

Individuals with mild-to-moderate adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) had poorer neurocognitive performance, most significantly in tests of alphanumeric trail-making, in a recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Deficits in alphanumeric trail-making may translate to issues with multitasking, prioritizing, maintaining information in working memory, planning and organizing. “That may be why…

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Cardiovascular, Pediatric Services

New capabilities at Norton Children’s Heart Institute cath lab

Joshua Kurtz, M.D., and colleagues at Norton Children’s Heart Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, are applying sophisticated training and experience to provide some of the newest minimally invasive treatments for babies born with congenital heart conditions. “I want to help push the field forward and improve the future for children and adults…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular

Nathaniel T. Liu, M.D., leads by example. And analogies.

When vascular surgeon Nathaniel T. Liu, M.D., sees patients, one of his goals is to communicate and help them understand their treatment options. Hearing a doctor explain arterial blockages or how damaged veins are responsible for leg pain can be a bit confusing and even scary to a worried patient. But knowledge, as they say,…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular

UK HealthCare’s Gill Heart & Vascular Institute expands heart failure, transplant services in collaboration with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute

UK HealthCare (UKHC) and Norton Heart & Vascular Institute are announcing a collaboration to expand advanced heart failure, ventricular assist device (VAD) placement and heart transplant services to Kentuckians. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Kentucky, and the commonwealth has one of the highest rates of heart disease in the country. Norton…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular, Gynecology

Discussing heart disease risk with patients as they enter menopause

As a natural phase of life, menopause offers a perfect opportunity to reflect with a patient on heart health and potential lifestyle changes — before she loses the “protective” effect of estrogen. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer for both women and men, and the risk of heart disease for women rises significantly eight…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular

Norton Healthcare first in region to implant Watchman FLX for A-fib patients

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Heart Rhythm Center is the first in the region to offer the Watchman FLX left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) implant, a device designed to prevent stroke in patients with certain kinds of atrial fibrillation (A-fib). What is it? The Watchman FLX, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular, News, Orthopedics, Spine

Norton Healthcare offers cardiovascular, orthopedics and other specialist access in Elizabethtown

Norton Healthcare has expanded access to specialty care in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Providers specializing in cardiology, endocrinology, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, spine, sports medicine, rheumatology and vascular surgery have schedules in Hardin County offices. The expanded services mean patients from Elizabethtown and the surrounding area don’t need to travel to Louisville to get Norton Healthcare specialty care….

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Cardiovascular, Pediatric Services

Integration brings closer alignment of UofL pediatric cardiologists with Norton Children’s Heart Institute

The affiliation between Norton Healthcare, UofL Physicians – Pediatrics and the University of Louisville School of Medicine makes it easier for children and their families to access comprehensive heart care connected to the Norton Children’s network. At Norton Children’s Heart Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, patients benefit from access to outpatient care…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular

When referring heart failure patients, earlier is better

Knowing when to refer a heart failure patient for specialist care can be crucial, according to Bassel Alkhalil, M.D., medical director of Norton Heart & Vascular Institute’s mechanical circulatory support program. In general, earlier is better. Even though heart failure patients are often the sickest of the sick, according to Dr. Alkhalil there is a…

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Adult Services, Cardiovascular

Improving outcomes for Black Americans with advanced heart failure

Abbott and the Association of Black Cardiologists will host a webinar Oct. 27, “Advanced Heart Failure and Black Americans: Strategies for Improved Patient Outcomes.” The program will feature a panel of presenters from 5 to 6 p.m., including Kelly C. McCants, M.D., medical director of the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Advanced Heart Failure Program…

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Cardiovascular, Pediatric Services

Norton Children’s Heart Institute expands adult congenital team

Norton Children’s Heart Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, continues to expand its adult congenital heart disease program to meet the needs of children whose congenital heart conditions require ongoing care in adulthood. Rebecca Smith, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, brings 12 years’ experience as a bedside nurse, the majority of the time with cardiac…

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