Services & Procedures

64-Slice CT Angiography

With coronary artery disease being the leading cause of death for men and women in America, early detection of the presence and extent of this disease is more important than ever. Beth Israel Medical Center has now further enhanced its outstanding cardiac care capabilities by offering non-invasive 64-slice computed tomography (CT) angiography. The 64-slice scanner produces detailed and accurate three-dimensional images of the coronary arteries, the coronary veins, and the heart itself, faster than ever before and with greater comfort and safety for our patients.

For additional information and scheduling, please contact the scheduling center at (212) 473-2300.

Anticoagulation Services

Coumadin (generic name - Warfarin), is an anticoagulant medication. This means that it helps prevent clots from forming in the blood. Blood thinners are used to treat some types of heart disease. It is often prescribed for patients with atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm), pulmonary embolism, and after artificial heart valve surgery or orthopedic procedures. Blood clots can move to other parts of your body and cause serious medical problems, such as a heart attack. Coumadin will not dissolve a blood clot; however, over time, the blood clot may dissolve on its own. Coumadin may also prevent other clots from forming or prevent clots from becoming larger. Warfarin will not dissolve a blood clot, but it may prevent other clots from forming and keep existing clots from getting larger. There are other blood thinners that you may be given in the hospital or even at home for a short amount of time: Heparin or Lovenox. These drugs are administered either by vein (intravenous) or just under the skin into the subcutaneous fat.

In order for your health care provider to determine the correct dose of Coumadin, it will be necessary for you to have your blood tested. The nurse will perform a fingerstick in the office, usually once a week to once a month, as directed by your doctor. The test results (known as INR) will help the nurse determine how fast your blood is clotting and whether your medication dose needs to be changed. Illness, diet, medication changes and physical activities may affect your INR.

To enroll in our Anticoagulation Service, please have your physician complete the Coumadin Enrollment Form and fax it to the office to obtain an appointment.

For additional questions please contact us at (212) 844-8436

Arrhythmia

An arrhythmia is any deviation from or disturbance of the normal heart rhythm. The basic rhythm of the heart is a tightly regulated phenomenon designed to insure maximal efficiency and optimal performance. It is a dynamic phenomenon that changes according to the metabolic needs of the body. The cardiac rhythm involves several different microscopic and macroscopic structures within the normal heart.

For additional information, please contact the office at (212) 844-1266.

Cardiac Catheterization Lab

With our state-of-the-art catheterization labs, our interventional cardiologists have the most advanced technology available in the field to support their skills and expertise. The cardiologists on our interventional staff have exceptional medical backgrounds and are recognized as clinical leaders both regionally and nationally. Their creative work in making the successful treatment of cardiac disease a safe and long lasting endeavor has contributed greatly to the prominence of our program.

Members of the cardiovascular intervention team are present at every step in the process of caring for the cardiac patient. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, we are able to match the best treatment strategy to the individual patient. Nurses, technicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and clerical staff all attend to the needs of each patient with the highest levels of proficiency and compassion.

For patients who need a more involved level of diagnostic testing and treatment, the Heart Institute offers a vast range of cardiovascular interventional procedures, from diagnostic evaluations to intricate techniques for the treatment of coronary disease. These procedures include:

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For additional information please contact the office at (212) 420-2416.

Cardiac Surgery

If you are in need of a heart (cardiac or cardiothoracic) surgeon in Manhattan or the New York City area, the Division of Cardiac Surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center has an outstanding team of heart surgery experts, providing the highest quality, innovative and patient-centered treatments in a caring and supportive environment.

The Division of Cardiac Surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan, NYC, offers state-of-the-art surgical techniques to treat the vast array of vascular conditions in the heart-from aortic aneurysms to coronary artery bypass surgery to valve repair or replacement. In the 20 years since the launch of its Cardiac Surgery Program, Beth Israel Medical Center has earned consistently excellent surgical success rates and produced countless positive outcomes for its patients. As compared to their peers, the majority of Beth Israel's cardiac surgeons treat more patients with diabetes, more women and more elderly patients-factors that contribute to a higher surgical risk-yet, the surgical results are superb in these higher risk groups.

For example, diabetic patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery have a 25 to 30 percent higher risk of death than patients without the disease. Many of them suffer from vascular and kidney disease, serious metabolic conditions involving glucose and insulin levels, or they have suffered strokes or heart failure. Additionally, they are prone to more complications from surgery, such as electrolyte imbalances that contribute to cardiac problems, infection, and poor wound healing.

Beth Israel's Division of Cardiac Surgery has vast experience treating this challenging group of patients. In fact, one out of every three cardiac surgery patients, more than 1,800 annually, are diabetic.

The Division's heart surgeons team with expert endocrinologists from Beth Israel's Gerald J. Friedman Diabetes Institute, employing an interdisciplinary approach in treating diabetic cardiac surgery patients. They have developed protocols for achieving optimal glucose management, such as the continuous infusion of insulin and frequent glucose monitoring, which have improved surgical outcomes. The division also is a leader in cutting-edge techniques, such as radial artery grafting, which uses arteries from the arm as bypass graphs. Radial arteries have proven more resistant to vein graph failure, especially beneficial for the diabetic who may be suffering from concomitant vascular disease.

Beth Israel's overall survival rate for diabetic cardiac surgery patients is 98 percent. The survival rate for patients without diabetes is 98.9 percent.

For all cardiac surgery patients, the Division's world-class heart surgeons have the additional advantage of routinely working with the same surgical support personnel, including perfusionists, anesthesiologists, nurse practitioners and surgical nursing staff, creating a surgical team that has extraordinary dedication to the patient and to each other. All cardiac surgeons at Beth Israel are experienced attending physicians; there are no residents or fellows in the program.

Our cardiac intensive care unit closely monitors all patients after surgery, creating a seamless transition of care until patients are discharged from the hospital and return home.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures:

To schedule a consultation with a Beth Israel cardiac surgeon, call (212) 420-2584.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

The program is specifically designed for individuals who suffer from or are at risk for cardiac disease. Some of the conditions or procedures that may benefit from cardiac rehabilitation may include, but are not limited to, the following angina pectoris, heart attack (myocardial infarction), bypass, surgery, valve surgery, post-heart transplantation, and angioplasty.

Exercise is an important component of a lifestyle modification program. An individualized exercise prescription is developed based on the concept of target heart rate and takes into account the patient's medical history, drug regimen, cardiovascular status, musculoskeletal system and lifestyle. The exercise program is designed to meet the patient's individual goals, needs and capabilities. Cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to improve recovery, increase fitness and reduce the risk of new events, while promoting an increased sense of well being.

We offer a 12-week outpatient program. The exercise sessions are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Sessions are held in the morning at 7, 8:15, and 9:30. Sessions are also held in the afternoon at 2:15 and 3:30.

For further information please contact the center at (212) 420-2357.

Carotid Doppler

The Carotid Doppler exam uses sound frequency in a range that is higher than human beings are able to hear to produce images of the carotid arteries in the neck on a viewing screen. The blood flow through these arteries is evaluated with Doppler and Color Doppler. Color Doppler involves the use of standard ultrasound methods to produce a picture of a blood vessel. In addition, a computer converts the Doppler sounds into colors (typically red and blue) that are overlaid on the image of the blood vessel. These colors represent the speed and direction of blood flow through the vessel.

Carotid Doppler studies are used to demonstrate blocked or reduced blood flow in the arteries of the neck that could cause stroke. This test is also used to evaluate symptoms of dizziness, vision changes and loss of balance that may be caused by impeded or restricted blood flow through these vessels.

The room is usually darkened for the exam. A gel is applied to the neck area to provide good contact for the handheld transducer. The transducer is placed on the neck and sound is sent into the body and is reflected off arteries and returned to the transducer. The echoes are converted electronically into images of the arteries that can be seen on a monitor. These images are recorded on paper or film. With Doppler and Color Doppler the sound waves reflected from the blood cells are converted to audible sounds that can be heard during the exam. Color is used to represent the blood flow in the artery and the speed and direction of the flow are assessed by the physician. This procedure takes approximately 45 minutes.

To learn more about our Services & Procedures, please call us today to schedule an appointment.