April 2014
THE BEAT West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Newsletter
WEST TENNESSEE
SUMMIT
Be the Best at Treating STEMI Patients Early bird special available until April 28 The 2014 West Tennessee STEMI Summit will provide training and refreshers on 12 lead ECG, capnography and cardiac anatomy. CECBEMS/ANCC continuing education hours will be awarded by Air Evac Lifeteam.
We Provide Complete Cardiovascular Care Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Cardiothoracic Surgery Chest Pain Care Heart Care Heart Rhythm Care
The summit is designed to help Emergency Medical Services staff and medical teams hone skills necessary to provide expert treatment for STEMI patients. Nationally certified EMS educator Bob Page, BAS, NREMT-P, CCEMT-P, NCEE, will lead the ECG and capnography sessions. Joel Hunt with Medtronics will teach a full heart dissection and anatomy course. Sign-in starts at 7:15 a.m. both mornings. Lunch is included in the registration fee. If you register before April 28, registration is $40. After April 28, registration is $50. Group and student discounts are available. Email emily.garner@wth.org to learn more. Register and read about each session at wthvc.org/stemisummit.
Stroke Care Valve Care Vascular and Imaging Services
731-541-CARE (2273)
Now accredited in Adult Transthoracic Echocardiography Jackson-Madison County General Hospital has been granted a three-year term of accreditation in Echocardiography in the area of Adult Transthoracic by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). “It is not easy to achieve an echocardiography accreditation, so we are proud that our service meets the high standards the IAC requires,” said Deann Montchal, Vice President of Hospital Services for West Tennessee Healthcare. “The Echocardiography accreditation is another mark that our services are competitive on the national stage.”
Humboldt Medical Center Monday, May 12 8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 7:50 a.m. — 4:45 p.m.
Leg Pain May Signal Peripheral Vascular Disease Leg Pain May Signal Peripheral Vascular Disease
Peripheral vascular disease (also known as peripheral arterial occlusive disease, or peripheral artery disease) refers to blockages of the arteries anywhere in the body other than the heart. These blockages are made up of a material called plaque. Plaque is formed as a result of injury to the lining of the artery and is usually made of a combination of fatty, fibrous and/or calcified material. When these blockages are serious enough, they restrict blood flow to whatever part of the body that artery supplies. Common arteries affected are those to the legs, kidneys and the carotid arteries that supply the brain. Peripheral vascular disease (also known as peripheral arterial occlusive disease, or peripheral artery disease) refers to blockages of the arteries anywhere in the body other The American Heart Association estimates that 8.5 million Americans have the disease. People with than the heart. These blockages are made up of a material called plaque. Plaque is formed PVD are at a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke, or dying from any cause relative to those as a result of injury to the lining of the artery and is usually made of a combination of fatty, who do not have PVD. This is true even for those with no symptoms from the disease. So it is fibrous and/or calcified material. When these blockages are serious enough, they restrict important for your physician to screen for this disease if you have certain risk blood flow to whatever part of the body that artery supplies. Common arteries affected are factors. those to the legs, kidneys and the carotid arteries that supply the brain.
By John Crocker, MD, Interventional Radiologist
By John Crocker, MD, Cardiologist
Risk factors for developing PVD include diabetes (insulin dependent or The American Heart Association estimates that 8.5 million Americans have the disease. non-insulin dependent diabetes), smoking, hypertension, elevated cholesterol People with PVD are at a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke, or dying from any and obesity. By far, smoking and diabetes are the greatest risk factors; the risk of cause relative to those who do not have PVD. This is true even for those with no symptoms a diabetic who smokes is extremely high! The incidence of PVD increases with from the disease. So it is important for your physician to screen for this age, and affects men and women equally. disease if you have certain risk factors.
Your Doctor Can Screen You For PVD
Risk factors for developing PVD include diabetes (insulin dependent or Once the risk factors have been reviewed, the easiest way to screen for PVD is for your physician or health provider to ask you a few simple non-insulin dependent diabetes), smoking, hypertension, elevated questions, such as, “Do your legs hurt in the calf or thigh muscles when you walk? Do you have any wounds or sores on your feet or ankles cholesterol and obesity. By far, smoking and diabetes are the greatest risk John Crocker, MD that are not healing appropriately?” factors; the risk of a diabetic who smokes is extremely high! The incidence of PVD increases with age, and affects men and women equally. If you have risk factors or the answer to one of these questions is “yes,” then your provider should check the pulses in your feet. Your provider can also do a simple but very important test called the Ankle Brachial Index, or ABI. An ABI measurement is just a blood pressure reading at the ankle compared to the arm. Your Doctor Can Screen You For PVD The measurements should be about the same. Once the risk factors have been reviewed, the easiest way to screen for PVD is for your physician or health provider to ask you a few simple questions, such as, “Do your legs hurt in the calf or thigh muscles when you walk? Do you have any wounds or sores If you have serious enough symptoms thought to be caused by PVD, then further evaluation by a vascular specialist (an interventional radiologist, cardiologist, John Crocker, MD on your feet or ankles that are not healing appropriately?” or general/vascular surgeon) is in order. If a specialist deems it necessary, further testing may be needed to help determine the best treatment. These tests may include duplex ultrasound of the arteries or CT angiography (a special CT scan of the arteries). If you have risk factors or the answer to one of these questions is “yes,” then your provider should check the pulses in your feet. Your provider can do a simple but very important test called the Ankle Brachial Index, or ABI. An ABI measurement is just a blood pressure reading at the ankle Ifalso You Have PVD, You Have Multiple Treatment Options compared to the arm. The measurements should be about the same. Most patients with PVD only need conservative treatment, meaning that they will not need a procedure in the hospital to open any blockages that have developed. Such treatment may include medicine to help with pain in the legs while walking, and, unless there is a medical reason not to take it, all PVD If you have serious enough symptoms thought to be caused by PVD, then further evaluation by a vascular specialist (an interventional patients should take a daily aspirin. Obviously, risk factor modification is very important (patients often know cigarettes cause cancer and emphysema, but radiologist, cardiologist, or general/vascular surgeon) is in order. If a specialist deems it necessary, further testing may be needed to help have no idea smoking also causes blockages of the arteries). determine the best treatment. These tests may include duplex ultrasound of the arteries or CT angiography (a special CT scan of the arteries). Some patients with PVD have serious enough symptoms that a procedure is necessary or would be beneficial. Most of the time, a vascular specialist can treat If You Have PVD, You Have Multiple Treatment Options blockages with balloon angioplasty, stenting or with other tools available to improve blood flow. If one of these techniques is not feasible or does not work, Most patients with PVD only need conservative treatment, meaning that they will not need a procedure in the hospital to open any blockages then bypass surgery may be needed. that have developed. Such treatment may include medicine to help with pain in the legs while walking, and, unless there is a medical reason not to take it, all PVD patients should take a daily aspirin. Obviously, risk factor modification is very important (patients often know cigarettes cause The bottom line is: PVD affects millions of people. It is important that this disease be recognized, risk factors managed and the disease treated appropriately cancer and emphysema, but have no idea smoking also causes blockages of the arteries). for the overall health of the patient. Some patients with PVD have serious enough symptoms that a procedure is necessary or would be beneficial. Most of the time, a vascular specialist can treat blockages with stenting or with other tools available to improve blood flow. If one of these techniques is 620balloon Skylineangioplasty, Drive not feasible or does not work, then bypass surgery may be needed. Jackson, TN 38301
wthvc.org
541-CARE
The bottom line is: PVD affects millions of people. It is important that this disease be recognized, risk factors managed and the disease treated appropriately for the overall health of the patient.
wthvc.org
620 Skyline Drive Jackson, TN 38301 541-CARE
MAY 17th J. WALTER BARNES AUDITORIUM
JACKSON-MADISON COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL
Neuroscience conference May 17 to cover each stage of stroke treatment The West Tennessee medical community is invited to learn about best practices for each step of the stroke treatment process during this year’s Neuroscience conference hosted by the West Tennessee Neuroscience & Spine Center and West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center. The conference will be held May 17, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the J. Walter Barnes Conference Center at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
Physicians and medical staff will discuss acute stroke patient management, intraarterial stroke therapy, nursing care for stroke patients and more. “The Guru” of Tennessee high school football, Murphy Fair, will provide a patient perspective. He was treated at the certified Advanced Primary Stroke Center at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital after a Transient Ischemic Attack made him temporarily speechless.
Continuing education credits will be available for physicians, medical staff, nursing staff, therapists, psychologists and speechlanguage pathologists. Credit for pharmacists is pending. Registration is $25 until May 10 and $35 beginning May 11. To register, visit www.regonline.com/neuroscience2014.
Cardiologist Foluso Fakorede joins Heart Care team West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center welcomes cardiologist Foluso Fakorede, MD, to our team. Dr. Fakorede has joined Louis Cunningham, MD, and Tommy Miller, MD, at the Mid-South Heart Center. Dr. Fakorede was a General and Chief Cardiovascular Disease Fellow and an Interventional Cardiology and Vascular Intervention Qualification Fellow at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J., where he also served as the principal investigator for syncope research. A graduate of University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey — Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Dr. Fakorede is board certified in internal medicine and is board eligible for nuclear medicine and vascular medicine. Dr. Fakorede is passionate about patient education. With appreciation for his desire to teach West Tennesseans about heart health, we welcome him to the WTHVC team.
SPORT SOME RED AS WE CELEBRATE HEART DISEASE PREVENTION AND SUCCESS STORIES!
May 31 GAME BEGINS AT 6:05 P.M.
COME EARLY FOR FREE HEART HEALTH SCREENINGS & INTERACTIVE HEART DISEASE PREVENTION EDUCATION.
TICKETS $6 • BUY THEM AT THE GATE OR JACKSONGENERALSBASEBALL.COM
New procedures for critical care patients
Reminder for physicians with patients from Huntingdon
West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center physicians
Baptist Memorial Hospital - Huntingdon often refers patients to West
have undergone training so they can provide new
Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center. Patients from Huntingdon have the option to finish the healing process through the WTHVC Cardiac Rehabilitation Program or the BMH - Huntingdon Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. BMH - Huntingdon Cardiac Rehabilitation 631 R.B. Wilson Drive Huntingdon, TN 38344 Phone: 731-986-7365 Fax: 731-986-7370
procedures to improve care for patients with critical cardiovascular conditions. AngioVac venus drainage system This device allows draining and removal of thrombi (blood clots) or emboli (masses) for up to six hours during extracorporeal bypass surgeries to reduce the risk of arteries becoming plugged or clotted. A WTHVC team has already used AngioVac in two cases at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. Extracoporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) The ECMO technique provides respiratory support oxygen to a patient whose heart condition is too severe to function on its own. This survivor tool allows WTHVC to treat some patients who would otherwise be in too critical of a condition to receive treatment.
Heart House will serve patients’ families The West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center Advisory Board of the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation made available the Heart House at 670 Wilshire Drive, a two-minute drive from JacksonMadison County General Hospital. The Heart House will provide patients’ families who live 50 miles or more away from Jackson a place to stay while their loved one is in the hospital. Intensive Care Unit staff at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital will identify families eligible to stay at the house.
The advisory board was formed in 2013 to serve as a group of community champions for the West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center. This group educates others about WTHVC services and raises funds to support WTHVC patients and their families. The board coordinated the donation of the Heart House on Wilshire Drive.
Meet a Member of the WTHVC Team Angela Webb, RN STEMI Coordinator Angela reviews every West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center STEMI case, looking for ways to improve transfer and treatment processes. She also recently began answering 541-CARE calls regarding Peripheral Vascular Disease. In March, she received as many as 10 calls a day regarding PVD. Each time Angela receives a call about PVD, she educates the patient briefly on PVD, discussing their symptoms, then helps them get in contact with an interventional cardiologist, interventional radiologist or vascular surgeon on the WTHVC PVD team. A few weeks later, she follows up with each patient. Angela says she enjoys the patient education opportunities she has as a member of the WTHVC team. “One day is never like the rest,” she says, “but every day is rewarding.”
WTHVC Team Member Named Best Cardiologist West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center team member Alex Alperovich, MD, received The Jackson Sun 2014 Reader’s Choice Award for Best Cardiologist. Dr. Alperovich started Advanced Cardiovascular and Vein Center in Jackson and is a Diplomat of the American College of Phlebology. Congratulations!
Serving Dyersburg, Lexington & Paris Locally All Locations Accepting New Patients All Locations Accepting New Patients
Providing: Providing: Echo Echo EKGs EKGs Lab Tests Lab Tests Physicians Evaluations Physicians Evaluations X-Rays X-Rays
Dyersburg Cardiology Outreach Clinic
Lexington Cardiology Outreach Clinic
Paris Cardiology Outreach Clinic Additional services, including Stress Tests and Ankle-Brachial Index Tests
1700 Woodlawn Drive Dyersburg, TN 38024 P (731) 287-4830 F (731) 287-4836
14 Hospital Drive Lexington, TN 38351 P (731) 967-0799 F (731) 967-0800
1006B Cornerstone Drive Paris, TN 38242 Phone (731) 642-0524 Fax (731) 642-3518