Joshi , MD , a Marshall Health hepatologist and assistant professor at the school of medicine , determine the degree of fibrosis or scarring that may be present on the liver .
“ This is an innovative , painless modality that can detect with high accuracy potential liver damage or presence of disease ,” Joshi said . “ Standard imaging such as ultrasounds , computerized tomography scans , and magnetic resonance imaging are unable to detect fibrosis . Fibroscan uses the technique of transient elastography to detect liver stiffness via shear wave velocities . It can both complement the need and reduce the number of liver biopsies required to monitor the progression , stagnation , or regression of a liver disease state .”
Marshall Health , Mountain Health Network perform state ’ s first cardioneuroablation
Cardiologists at Marshall Health performed a cardioneuroablation for vasovagal syncope and bradycardia at St . Mary ’ s Medical Center , a member of Mountain Health Network . This is the first time this procedure has been performed in West Virginia .
The ablation , which treats a sudden drop in heart rate , may reduce the need for a pacemaker among patients 60 and younger who suffer from recurrent dizzy spells or fainting episodes despite continued medical treatment and care .
During the two-hour procedure , performed by Khalid Abozguia , MD , PhD , Marshall Health electrophysiologist and associate professor at the school of medicine , catheters are advanced into the heart . An ablation catheter then deploys radiofrequency lesions to destroy neurons located within the heart that are responsible for slowing the heart rate , thus eliminating fainting spells related to sudden drops in heart rate .
The patient spent one night in the hospital following her surgery and was released the next day .
Image : Marshall Health , Mountain Health Network cardioneuroablation team , 2022 .
Marshall Health offers non-invasive testing for liver disease using latest FibroScan technology
Marshall Health now offers patients a non-invasive procedure to effectively screen for fibrosis and cirrhosis . Using a small probe on the skin to transmit vibrations , FibroScan helps experts like Tejas
Patients who will benefit most from the procedure are those at greatest risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD ), a condition in which excess fat builds up in the liver , and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis , an advanced form of NAFLD . Risk factors include type 2 diabetes ; an obesity BMI of 30 or higher and at least one metabolic risk factor ( e . g . hypertension or dyslipidemia ); image finding of fatty liver or steatosis ; or elevated aminotransferases . For some patients , the FibroScan could replace the need for a liver biopsy .
Image : Tejas Joshi , MD , administers the ultrasound-like tests at Marshall Health ’ s Teays Valley location .
West Virginia Medical Journal • September 2022 • 17