The Structural Heart Program at Novant Health, a nationally recognized center for heart and vascular care, offers the latest pioneering technology to personalize each patient’s care through comprehensive diagnostics and evaluation.
Our team of dedicated experts, including interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiac imaging specialists and electrophysiologists, employs a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to guide each patient with awareness, proficiency and compassion. They use proven minimally invasive methods, incorporating available non-sternotomy approaches.
The Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute is a high-volume cardiac center that provides unparalleled access to advanced cardiac care closer to home. That access is made possible by our integrated network of more than 850 locations, including 19 hospitals, more than 700 physician clinics and urgent care centers, outpatient facilities, and imaging and pharmacy services. Novant Health’s work is organized around a single, simple goal: to create a healthier future and bring remarkable experiences to life.
Advancing treatment through innovation
Novant Health has made significant contributions to the field of interventional cardiology. The program has focused on enhancing systems and processes designed to improve team collaboration and patient outcomes. For instance, Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute has developed a more targeted therapeutic regimen to effectively treat cases of pulmonary embolism, including catheter-based infusion of thrombolytics or mechanical/aspiration thrombectomy to remove occlusions from vessels in the lungs. This approach negates the need for systemic thrombolysis with tPA.
Chronic coronary artery disease is prevalent among elderly adults in areas of North Carolina where preventive medical services are scarce and there is a high incidence of smoking and advanced diabetes. To address this need, the program at Novant Health has integrated new equipment to expand equitable treatment options to even the most remote counties. For example, Shockwave Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy, available at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, is a standard ultrasound-assisted, catheter-based therapy used to modify heavily calcified coronary arteries, allowing for revascularization of the affected vessels while reducing complications and accelerating recovery.
Our HVI team has streamlined the management of cardiogenic shock post-myocardial infarction in emergency services. Given the impending risk of multiorgan failure and high mortality rates in these scenarios, effective communication and collaboration among all specialties are essential.
We have demonstrated its capacity to provide seamless care from initial presentation and resuscitation to emergency revascularization, advanced critical care and rehabilitation.
Novant Health physicians also specialize in treating valvular disorders. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, the primary method for replacing or repairing a damaged aortic valve, is a minimally invasive alternative to conventional open-heart surgery. It boasts high success rates and low complication rates, typically requiring just one night in the hospital.
Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute – Wilmington began performing left ventricular assist device surgeries in late 2023. This new offering, which requires a lengthy hospital stay for recovery, greatly benefits coastal patients who no longer need to travel long distances to access this life-saving procedure. The addition of LVAD implantation programming at Novant Health has been long anticipated, with preparation, training, and infrastructure development underway since 2016. According to John Rommel, MD, an advanced heart failure and transplant physician, “an LVAD is an option for people with advanced heart failure to improve their life expectancy and quality of life.
Clinical and device trials
The Heart & Vascular Institute at Novant Health is a leader in national and international clinical trials, exploring new medical devices and therapies with the potential to benefit cardiology patients worldwide.
As the population ages, diagnoses of atrial fibrillation are increasing, with 15% to 20% of all strokes attributed to the condition. In late 2023, Novant Health was chosen as one of the first clinical trial sites in the United States to test the Watchman FLX Pro a left atrial appendage closure device designed to offer a permanent solution for AFib while reducing the risk of stroke and the need for systemic blood thinners. While Watchman devices have been available for over 20 years, this updated version features a hemo-compatible coating for better endothelialization and three radiopaque markers that improve positioning and securing of the device.
Novant Health continues to push the boundaries in research. We collaborate with external and industry partners not only to conduct research but to provide lifesaving therapies for our patients.
Referrals
In North Carolina and South Carolina, referrals to a heart and vascular institute ensure that patients receive superior care that is efficient, accessible and comprehensive. From general cardiology to newly diagnosed heart failure, patient referrals are thoughtfully triaged and expedited based on symptom severity and the need for intervention.
Our HVI experts provide a compassionate, multidisciplinary approach to diagnostics and treatment of cardiovascular disease, with innovation at its core and a steadfast focus on safety, efficacy and improved patient outcomes.
With the technology and capabilities, we have at Novant Health, we can see incredible change in patients day-to-day. We’re able to provide this incredible, state-of-the-art care with the resources we have.
Partnering with colleagues is essential, with important conversations taking place to drive patient-centered decision-making.
Interventional cardiologists work closely with primary care physicians to provide expertise as well as our general cardiology colleagues about helping plan and time interventional procedures More importantly, we help manage medical therapy to prevent the need for major procedures.
