health pros Leesburg Regional Medical Center

The Beat Goes On

Cardiac catheterization is extremely beneficial in helping physicians detect problems such as narrowed arteries. For patients, however, it is a tedious recovery. They have to lie flat for six hours to prevent bleeding.

Not anymore.

Leesburg Regional Medical Center’s Heart Institute performs cardiac catheterizations using a radial access approach. The radial artery, which is located in the wrist, is closer to the surface and easier to access. And instead of lying flat for six hours, patients can sit upright immediately following the procedure.

“According to the Journal of American College of Cardiology, the complication rate through the radial approach is near zero percent,” says Eugene Claudio, manager of the Heart Institute. “Patients love being able to sit up and drink coffee as opposed to having to lie flat several hours. This is a safe alternative to accessing the femoral artery, and we want the radial approach to become the primary approach.”

Another procedure is accessing the pedal artery in the ankle to treat peripheral artery disease. This approach is extremely beneficial for patients who may have been told their limb is unsalvageable.

“The pedal approach allows us to open up arteries so their wounds can heal in some cases,” Claudio says. “We have started working closely with our Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center to identify such patients.”

Utilizing cutting-edge techniques such as these is why Leesburg Regional Medical Center does not miss a beat when it comes to cardiovascular care.

“Surprisingly, most patients who undergo cardiac catheterization are candidates for a transradial artery procedure,” says Claudio. “In fact, transradial procedures make it possible in some cases for patients to go home the same day of their angioplasty a few hours later. Instead of spending the night in the hospital, you can sleep in your own bed!”

To find a board-certified interventional cardiologist at Leesburg Regional Medical Center, visit www.LeesburgRegional.org and click “Find a Physician” or call 352.323.1000.