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METHODIST HOSPITAL | METROPOLITAN ANNOUNCES NEW TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR PATIENTS WITH HEART ISSUES

During American Heart Month, Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan announced two minimally-invasive cardiovascular treatments they offer patients thanks to new and innovative technologies. The first new treatment is an alternative to blood thinners for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Because AF causes the heart to beat very fast and irregularly, blood can collect in the heart’s upper heart chamber. This collection of blood can form clots that could travel to the brain, causing a stroke. Many patients do not want to be on blood thinners, as they may affect their health and lifestyle, requiring extra precautions to avoid falls or injuries for fear of bleeding. Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan can now treat patients using this alternative to blood thinners by performing minimally-invasive left atrial appendage closure (LAA) procedures to close off their LAA. Doing so removes the ability for clots to form, thus reducing the fear of stroke. This new advancement in cardiovascular care enables the hospital to serve more patients by offering an effective and safe treatment option in place of blood thinners. Another major benefit for patients who receive this onetime procedure is that it lasts a lifetime; future surgeries or replacement devices are unnecessary. Additionally, the hospital now offers a new form of Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) to treat patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD). As patients with CAD age and their disease progresses, the plaque evolves into tough calcium deposits, narrowing the artery and impacting proper blood flow. This new technology allows physicians to fracture the calcium first using sonic pressure waves so that when a stent procedure is done, the stent can expand fully and restore normal blood flow. “We are very proud of our cardiovascular team at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan,” shared Greg Seiler, Chief Executive Officer. “These two new cardiovascular advancements prove our dedication to offering our patients the latest and most revolutionary innovations. For some, these treatments are their only hope. We’re improving and saving many lives thanks to our highly skilled interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists.”

NEW BRAUNFELS WILL SOON HAVE ACCESS TO METHODIST HEALTHCARE QUALITY SERVICES

Methodist Hospital | Northeast will soon extend their presence along North I-35 as they open a new freestanding ER this summer. The new facility will be located on State Highway 46 near Loop 337 in Comal County. Methodist ER - New Braunfels is a 7,007 square foot facility that will serve as a fully-functioning emergency department with seven private ED rooms, laboratory and radiology department. The grand opening is slated for June 28, 2022.