
Houston – 2/9/10
Researchers at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center have shown that a simple, inexpensive test can determine whether it is safe to send home a patient who comes to the emergency room with chest pain.
"It is imperative to accurately diagnose patients who come to the emergency department with chest pain," said Dr. John Mahmarian, cardiologist at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center and principal investigator of the study. "Unfortunately, diagnosing chest pain is often expensive and time-consuming. This new data could save millions of health care dollars and countless hours spent waiting on unnecessary tests."
Houston – 2/1/10
The FDA recently approved the first study of neurostimulation as a treatment for heart failure, a chronic disease that affects nearly six million Americans and is the leading cause of hospitalization in America.
"Despite our best efforts to treat heart failure with current drugs, patients with advanced heart failure continue to deteriorate," said Dr. Guillermo Torre-Amione, heart failure specialist at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center and principal investigator for the study. "There is an urgent need to improve treatment for these patients."
Houston – 1/08/10
Heart disease is the single leading cause of death for American women. Nearly twice as many women in the United States die of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases as from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer.
Dr. Karla Kurrelmeyer, a cardiologist at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center in Houston, focuses on research and treatment of women with heart disease. Kurrelmeyer is somewhat unique among practicing cardiologists, not only because her focus is on female heart health, but also because she is a woman. Less than 20 percent of cardiologists in the U.S. are women.
Houston – 1/08/10
The Methodist Hospital in Houston was recently named one of the "Top Hospitals for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery" by Worth magazine.
"This award is a major recognition for the physicians and staff of the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center. It is an honor that recognizes our dedication to providing excellent care for our patients," said Dr. Alan Lumsden, chair of the department of cardiovascular surgery at The Methodist Hospital and medical director of the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center.
Houston – 1/06/10
The Methodist Hospital is offering a web-based tool to help patients better understand their health care.
The interactive program from Emmi Solutions describes and illustrates upcoming procedures for patients to help educate them on procedures such as cardiac bypass or knee replacement. It also helps patients understand how to manage chronic conditions like diabetes or heart failure.
Houston – 12/21/09
The Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center would like invite senior fellows to participate in the inaugural program, "Optimizing Cardiovascular Patient Care through Innovative Collaboration", onFebruary 4 – 5, 2010, at the Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation and Education (MITIESM) and Hotel ZaZa.
Houston – 12/7/09
Dr. William Zoghbi, the William Winters Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Imaging at The Methodist Hospital, was named vice president of the American College of Cardiology (ACC). His term will go into effect in March of 2010, and he is slated to become president of the ACC in 2012.
Houston – 11/5/09
Houston Texans Quarterback Matt Schaub and his wife Laurie toured the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center this week as part of the hospital’s Leadership Grand Rounds to learn about the inner-workings of the heart center.
Houston – 11/4/09
Vascular surgeons at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center in Houston broadcast six live cases from The Methodist Hospital’s operating rooms and catheterization laboratories directly to the Vascular Interventional Advances (VIVA) 2009 conference in Las Vegas on Oct. 20, 2009.
The Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center has opened a multidisciplinary valve clinic that provides one-stop-shopping for patients with complex diseases of the cardiac valves.
The clinic, which streamlines the process for patients, is headed by national experts in diagnostic cardiac imaging, interventional cardiology, robotic procedures and cardiac surgery to provide the best care possible. The clinic will also host a valve board and maintain a robust clinical database of complex valve disorders to support research and advances in the treatment of cardiac valve disease.
Learn more about the MDHVC Valve Clinic
Dr. Heitham Hassoun joined the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, bringing his expertise in minimally invasive vascular surgery to Houston.
Hassoun´s expertise includes repairing aortic aneurysms, carotid stenosis and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) through small puncture holes rather than incisions, an approach called percutaneous treatment. Hassoun, who came to Methodist from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, also conducts basic and translational research supported with National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding.
Houston – 3/11/10 - 3/13/10
Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center brings: Dialysis Access 1 Symposium to Houston, 3/11/10 - 3/13/10. The course director will be vascular surgeon, Dr. Alan B. Lumsden. The course planning committee will be vascular surgeons, Dr. Jean Bismuth, Dr. Mark Davies, Dr. Hietham Hassoun, Dr. Joseph Naoum & Dr. Eric Peden.
The goal of this conference to identify and provide up-to-date dialysis access information including furthering patient care by discussing evidence-based approaches to solving simple and complex issues.
This conference is designed for cardiovascular surgeons, radiologists, cardiologists, nephrologists, fellows and residents of the above specialties, vascular biologists and their staff, and nurses.
For information call the Office of Continuing Medical Education at 713-441-4971 .
The Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center is proud to offer 64 slice cardiac CT, a revolutionary form of detailed scanning to diagnose conditions of the heart and blood vessels. 64 slice cardiac CT is an innovative alternative to invasive tests such as cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography.
The Methodist Hospital in Houston is the first site in the nation to enroll patients in a new study that uses a patient's own stem cells to treat heart failure.
Surgeons at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center will inject stem cells derived from a patient's own bone marrow directly into the beating heart to treat dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a severe form of chronic heart failure.
Read more about this Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) study
Read about other clinical trials available at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center
The Distinguished Donor Society is a unique organization comprised of individuals who give $1,000 or more annually to the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center. These contributors have a role in selecting and funding promising heart research, prevention and education programs taking place at The Methodist Hospital. The Distinguished Donor Society’s philanthropic investment plays a significant role in advancing treatment for patients suffering from heart disorders and disease.
For more information about the Distinguished Donor Society, please call 832-667-5816.