Saint Mary’s Expands Heart Services

Grand Rapids, Michigan, June 29, 2004: Saint Mary’s Health Care has received approval from the State of Michigan Department of Community Health to perform emergency coronary angioplasty. Commenting on the decision, Chief of Cardiology at Saint Mary’s, Michael Vredenburg, D.O., said, “With the ability to perform emergency angioplasty on-site, Saint Mary’s is changing the scope of cardiac care delivery in our community.”

Traditionally the State has required angioplasty only be performed at acute care hospitals that have open-heart surgery services on-site. However, recent clinical trials have suggested that patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction have better outcomes with intervention, rather than drug therapies such as thrombolytic agents alone. Currently 28 states allow primary PCI at sites without open-heart services.

“Many of our patients come to Saint Mary’s presenting with a heart attack are transferred to another hospital. This may mean delays in treatment and outcomes that may be less than optimal,” stated Dr. Vredenburg. “This approval is definitely in the best interest of our patients.”

In order to qualify to perform emergency coronary angioplasty without on-site open-heart surgical services, a hospital must meet certain standards such as experience of cardiologists and a written agreement with another facility that has an open-heart surgery program. Saint Mary’s and Spectrum Health are collaborating on training of staff and transfers of patients that require open-heart surgery.

Dr. Vredenburg described coronary angioplasty as, “a procedure for the treatment of narrowed arteries. A balloon tip catheter is inserted into the artery to press plaque back against the vessel wall. This widens or unblocks the artery to restore blood flow. Once the balloon has opened the artery a small expandable wire mesh tube called a stent is inserted. The purpose of the stent is to help hold the newly treated artery open, reducing the risk of the artery re-closing over time.” Angioplasty with stenting typically leaves less than 10 percent of the original blockage in the artery.

“Patients experiencing chest pain can be confident knowing Saint Mary’s will provide state-of-the-art cardiology services instead of the extra stress of being transferred to another facility. This capability will also allow Saint Mary’s affiliated physicians the opportunity to stay actively involved in their care of their patients.” Dr. Vredenburg concluded.