Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment call:
713-441-1100 (Texas Medical Center)
713-441-9909 (Pearland & Memorial Village)
Toll-free: 1-888-361-4375
Or contact us online.
Cardiologists at Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates (MDCA) are experts in the diagnosis and treatment in all facets of heart and vascular disease. They share their expertise as needed so that each patient has access to the most advanced therapies regardless of the complexity of their illness. MDCA cardiologists work closely at Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center with some of the best surgeons in the country to offer our patients the most advanced surgical and minimally invasive procedures. Our physicians treat patients in all of the following areas:
- General Consultative Cardiology – Diagnosing any and all heart conditions and planning short- and long-term therapeutic approaches for optimal treatment.
- Heart Disease in Women – Focuses on treatment of heart conditions unique to women or those that present uniquely in women. Some of our services include: strategies to prevent cardiovascular diseases, diagnosis and management of chest pain syndromes and coronary artery disease, diastolic heart failure, palpitations, mitral valve prolapse, and the treatment of heart disorders during pregnancy.
- Heart Failure and Transplantation – MDCA cardiologists specializing in congestive heart failure (CHF) work together to control symptoms including shortness of breath and fluid retention, and to improve the general outcome of patients. Early diagnosis is critical in order to introduce medical therapies that can reduce the odds of disease progression. For patients with advanced CHF, MDCA cardiologists have access to new medical and surgical therapies including bi-ventricular pacing, implantation of assist devices and cardiac transplantation. They are also involved in experimental new treatments such as modulating the response of the immune system to the heart, and stem cell therapy.
- Catheterization-based Procedures – Catheterization-based procedures include angioplasty and stent placement to treat coronary atherosclerosis (plaque buildup causing narrowing or blockage of the arteries), percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty for repairing cardiac valves, insertion of devices to close septal defects, and the use of stents for treating blockages in arteries of the legs, kidneys, arms and neck. These procedures are sometimes classified as minimally invasive.
- Electrophysiology – Abnormal heart rhythms are most often treated with medication such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and antiarrhythmic drugs. Arrhythmias not responding to medication are treated with a variety of procedures including pacemaker implantation, catheter ablation, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators that shock the heart to stop abnormally rapid rhythms. One abnormal rhythm in particular is called atrial fibrillation (Afib) and it is quite common in patients over the age of 65, affecting 1 in 10 individuals over the age of 80. MDCA cardiologists are at the forefront of discoveries of new catheter ablative techniques for this disorder.
- Valvular Heart Disease – Caused by heart valves that do not open or close properly, valvular disease is diagnosed through imaging procedures including echocardiography and Doppler ultrasound, and cardiac MRI. Conditions can be treated as needed with medications, minimally invasive interventional procedures (balloon valvuloplasty) or surgery. MDCA cardiologists have extensive experience in utilizing any of these therapies.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy – Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic disorder resulting in the heart muscle thickening with no apparent cause, sometimes resulting in sudden cardiac death – especially in young athletes. MDCA physicians diagnose this through family member screening, echocardiograms and MRI imaging. In addition to medical therapy, treatment may include alcohol septal ablation—initiated in the USA by physicians in MDCA. This is a catheter-based technique in which alcohol is used to remove the thickened muscle. For those that are not candidates for this procedure, surgical removal of the thickened muscle by surgeons trained by Dr. Michael E. DeBakey is another option.
- Diagnostic Cardiac Imaging – Various imaging tests that are offered include CT scanning for coronary calcium scoring (heart scan) or CT coronary angiography, cardiac MRI, echocardiography and nuclear scans. Stress testing with nuclear techniques, echocardiography and MRI is also provided, and individually tailored depending on the condition. MDCA cardiologists are nationally and internationally recognized for their expertise in these imaging procedures.
