Nacogdoches Medical Center Adds Critical Cardiac Care for East Texas

Nacogdoches, Texas – Nacogdoches Medical Center (NMC) has added enhanced technology to the hospital’s suite of heart care services, which will benefit people in need of cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology procedures to improve their heart function. The additions represent an investment of $1.6 million and includes enhanced cardiac catheterization equipment and electrophysiology technology.

“Heart disease continues to be a major cause of death and disability in our area so this enhanced technology will help us provide the best care possible for the treatment and prevention of a wide variety of cardiac issues,” said Jeff Patterson, NMC CEO.

Cath Lab Enhancements

The Cath Lab at NMC is one area where investments have been made. For people who may be suffering from chest pain or a heart attack, a stent is used to open an artery that is narrowed by a buildup of plaque. This narrowing can reduce blood flow to the heart and body. Stents can keep these arteries open and help prevent or remedy a heart attack.

“The hospital’s new C-ARM, which is a specialized X-Ray system, allows for higher quality imaging with reduced radiation and contrast use,” said Dr. Vijay Pokala, Medical Director of Nacogdoches Medical Center Cardiovascular Services “In addition, it provides for more accurate sizing and placement of stents.”

Electrophysiology Technology

Electrophysiology (EP) capabilities added at NMC include mapping and ablation equipment that allows physicians to diagnosis and treat a multitude of cardiac arrhythmias. The new electrophysiology equipment will help people who are experiencing irregular heartbeats.

“When the heart doesn’t beat normally, we can conduct Electrophysiology (EP) studies to find out what is causing the problem,” said Pokala. “Once diagnosed, we can perform a variety of procedures or implant a pacemaker to correct the problem.”

The EP system includes an Intracardiac Echocardiogram that can make procedures safer and faster. NMC has also added diagnostic equipment that allows physicians to diagnose reduction of flow across a vessel without having to give additional medications that can cause discomfort and exacerbate cardiac symptoms. The system also allows imaging within a vessel to determine size and diameter with extreme precision while also facilitating the ability to visualize stents to ensure proper sizing and patency.

Experienced and Compassionate Staff

Technology is only as good as the people using it, and NMC Cath Lab staff are highly trained and experienced in all aspects of the new equipment and treatment of their cardiac patients. In addition, NMC employees care for their patients like they are family.

“This is not just our workplace, but a place for us to treat our neighbors and potentially our own moms, dads, siblings, or grandparents,” said Tony Ronzello, Cath Lab Supervisor.

For more information about the heart care services provided by Nacogdoches Medical Center, click here.