For Mostafa El-Refai, M.D., interventional cardiology is the best of both worlds. He gets to develop long-term relationships with patients and their families. He also gets to perform emergency stenting procedures to open blocked coronary arteries after heart attacks. “Interventional cardiology gets my blood rushing a little bit because we get to treat patients with…
Sofya Kuznetsov, M.D., who is board certified and fellowship trained in clinical cardiac electrophysiology and cardiovascular disease, has joined Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. Dr. Kuznetsov completed her clinical cardiac electrophysiology fellowship at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in Ohio, where she was chief fellow. She completed her cardiovascular fellowship at University Hospitals Case Medical…
The new Atrial Fibrillation Clinic at Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Heart Rhythm Center is accepting referrals for newly diagnosed patients, those with paroxysmal or persistent symptomatic atrial fibrillation (A-fib) and patients who are having difficulty with their current treatment. The clinic is designed for evaluation, diagnosis and advanced treatment for A-fib. Kent E. Morris,…
Norton Healthcare hospitals were recognized today during a presentation by the American Heart Association with Mission: Lifeline Gold Plus and Gold awards for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks. The American Heart Association also presented Norton Healthcare with the Mission Lifeline: Regional Trailblazer Award. The award recognized Norton Healthcare for serving as…
Heart disease kills more Americans than any other disease, and according to the American Heart Association, African Americans may face a higher risk for heart disease compared with other groups. Kelly C. McCants, M.D., cardiologist and medical director of Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Advanced Heart Failure Program, said uncontrolled high blood pressure is the…
Audrey Sims’ first clue that her twins’ birth would be complicated came at 14 weeks of pregnancy, when a routine ultrasound found that one of her sons, Aiden, had a cystic hygroma, a fluid collection on the neck. Audrey’s OB/GYN at King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison, Indiana, referred Audrey and her husband, Andrew, to Norton…
Follow these advanced heart failure signs that indicate your patient may benefit from VAD/heart transplant evaluation LVEF <40% Inability to walk one block without shortness of breath Intolerance of beta blockers Intolerance of ACEi/ARBs Inotrope dependence Progressive renal insufficiency Cardiac index <2.2 l/min BNP or NT-proBNP > 5x normal (BNP > 1000) One heart-failure-related hospitalization…
After 10 years of trying for a second child, Amanda Slayton and her husband, Scott, were jubilant when they conceived their son Seth. Born in February 2018, he is every parent’s prayer — happy, healthy and undemanding. In ways they couldn’t have predicted, their baby’s good nature has been a godsend to the Slaytons. Less…
Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, currently affecting over 5 million people in the U.S. Twenty percent of all strokes occur in patients with A-fib, and A-fib-related strokes are more frequently fatal and disabling. The most common treatment to reduce stroke risk in patients with A-fib is a blood-thinning medication such as…
A new study shows cancer is on its way to becoming the leading cause of death in more counties nationwide.The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, analyzed records for 32 million people in the U.S. who died between 2003 and 2015. It found that while overall deaths due to heart disease and cancer are…
Removing plaque buildup in the carotid arteries typically required a carotid endarterectomy. Now, Norton Heart & Vascular Institute physicians use the TCAR procedure to help reduce risk of complications. Conventional surgery to clean stroke-causing plaque buildup from carotid arteries often comes with risks ranging from infection to heart attack and nerve damage. Now, a minimally…
The pulmonary rehabilitation program through Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centers is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. We incorporate evidence-based guidelines in managing your patients, through our medically supervised program that teaches lifestyle modification techniques, disease process education and exercises needed to increase endurance and daily functioning….