First Impressions - Memorial Hospital of South Bend

PULSE › Memorial Health System › 574-647-6800Matters“You should see aheart specialist.”These six words can throw anypatient into a whirlwind. Acardiologist? Where do I find aqualified cardiologist around here?ofSince a third of all Americans willsuffer from heart disease, choosingthe right cardiologist is vital toproper care. Thankfully, the answerto these questions just becameeasier: Memorial’s AdvancedCardiovascular Institute (MACI),home to six preeminent cardiologists.FINDING A CARDIOLOGISTIn June 2009, Health Magazine gavetips to those seeking cardiologists. Findone with experience, they advised, andone with whom you are comfortable.Make sure he or she takes the time toknow you as an individual and knowyour case as unique.“Memorial and MACI have the besttrained,best-educated boardcertifiedcardiologists in the region,”says Raman Mitra, M.D., Ph.D., FACC.Graduates of preeminent universitiesworldwide, MACI cardiologists havepublished standard textbooks in theirfield and five are fellows of theAmerican College of Cardiology.While other specialists may say thatthey are certified in certain types ofdiagnostic testing, Health Magazinereminds you to check theirbackgrounds. For example, somedoctors may be able to “performtests,” but at MACI, the cardiologistsare also certified to read them.theHeart“We provide full service withexpertise and state-of-the-arttechnologies in all aspects ofcardiology to our patients. We alsoprovide expedient and completereports and follow-ups to ourreferring physician practices,” explainsDaniel Meng, M.D., Ph.D., FACC.ADVANCED CAPABILITIES,NOW IN SOUTH BEND“Our doctors work together with thepatient to determine the bestpossible treatment,” says DarleneSmith, practice manager of MACI.This personal approach is key, explainsHealth Magazine, as is ensuring thatyour doctor has the experiencenecessary to perform whateverprocedure you may require. Studiesshow that patients whose doctorshave had more experience implantingcardiac defibrillators have fewercomplications.And with MACI nearby, patients neednot travel to distant metropolitancenters for top-notch care. MACIcardiologists also serve part time atsatellite branches in LaPorte, Elkhartand Plymouth.“We want to be where patients needus,” says Dr. Mitra, who is assigned parttimeto the Plymouth branch.In 2009, the main offices of MACIwere renovated with the patient inmind. The entryway offers a serene,relaxing environment. The patientrooms are spacious and well-lit. Andthe nursing pods facilitate moreefficient care.IntroducingMemorialAdvancedCardiovascularInstituteAreas of Consultation:• Cardiac risk assessment• Chest pain evaluation• Cardiac causes of dyspnea• Acute and chronic coronaryartery disease• Assessment of cardiovascular risksfor TIA/stroke or claudication• Management of dyslipidemia• Atrial fibrillation management• Palpitations• Dizziness or syncope• Congestive heart failure includingreferral for cardiac transplantationand ambulatory ventricular assistdevices• Assessment for pacemaker anddefibrillator implantationInpatient andOutpatient HospitalServices Include:• Cardiac catheterization• Angioplasty and stenting• Transesophageal, intravascular andintracardiac echocardiography• Electrophysiology study• Catheter ablation forsupraventricular tachycardia• Catheter ablation for ventriculartachycardia• Catheter ablation for atrialfibrillation• Implantation of pacemakersand defibrillators• Laser lead extraction• Tilt testing• Coronary CT imaging andinterpretation• Cardiac magnetic resonanceTo learn more about MemorialAdvanced Cardiovascular Institute,visit www.MemorialMedicalGroup.org.012