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PROVIDED BY CHILTON HOSPITAL
Heart disease is the leading cause ofdeath in the United States , accounting for more than 695,000 lives lost each year . And for more than 15 years , the Chilton cardiac catheterization team has fought to reduce that statistic by performing alife-saving procedure on critically ill emergency patients who are suffering aheart attack . Called percutaneous coronary intervention ( PCI ), it is aminimally invasive procedure inwhich asmall balloon is inserted in ablocked artery so it can supply blood to the heart muscle ; frequently , ametal stent is left in place to stabilize the vessel . This procedure is also frequently performed on patients exhibiting symptoms of coronary
CHILTONHOSPITAL LIFE-SAVING PROCEDURE AVAILABLE TO MORE PATIENTS
disease , such as difficulty breathing orchest pain with activity .
In April , Chilton started offering the procedure to elective and non-emergency patients with coronary disease in its newly enhanced cardiac catheterization lab as well . When more advanced care isneeded , Chilton patients can be treated at the affiliated Morristown Medical Center . “ Being able to offer elective PCI to our patients without need for transport to another facility is asignificant medical advancement for the communities weserve ,” says Dr . Lawrence Blitz , interventional cardiologist and medical director ofthe Chilton Medical Center Catheterization Lab .
@ 201magazine ( 201 ) HEALTH 2024 EDITION
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