The first cardiac catheterization lab in Brownsville opened at the hospital in 1988, followed in 1993 by the first open heart surgical suite. The only Electrophysiology Lab in Brownsville can also be found in the hospital, where an Electrophysiologist treats patients with irregular heartbeats. The “COPA”, or Cardiac Out Patient Area, the only one in Brownsville, is dedicated to patients’ post-catheterization or following other procedures such as angioplasty. This unit increases convenience for both patients and physicians.

Valley Baptist Medical Center offers a wide range of cardiovascular diagnostic and surgical services:

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a procedure where a slender catheter, or tube, is inserted through a blood vessel and guided through to the heart so that coronary arteries can be visualized with the use of a “contrast dye”. This allows the Cardiologist to see any blockages or narrowing present, and determine the best method to correct the problem.

Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville opened a new Cath Lab in December, 2005. This new lab, which is the second cath lab room at VBMC-Brownsville, is a Cardiac and Peripheral Combo Lab used for procedures involving blood vessels outside the heart area, such as those involving the renal (kidneys) area, legs, arm grafts, etc., as well as for procedures involving arteries close to the heart. It will also be used for electrophysiological studies.

In addition, VBMC-Brownsville’s Cath Lab has added the “Spectranetics” Excimer Laser, which ablates or vaporizes blockages in the blood vessels. Bill Robertson, LVN, CVT, with the Cath Lab, said the laser “burns out” the plaque, removing the problem. Tony Ashley, RN, of the Cath Lab, said the laser can be used in both coronary and peripheral blood vessels, adding another tool to the physicians’ choice of treatment. The new devices are of particular benefit to diabetic patients, since diabetes is such a contributing factor to heart disease in the Valley. “The inner lining of the blood vessels is more irritated in diabetes patients,” Mr. Ashley said. Additionally, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to amputations of the feet or legs. Amputation of a foot or leg diminishes a person’s mobility and lifestyle. Many limb amputations could be prevented in the Valley and throughout the United States through better management and care of diabetes.

Cath lab services also include:

• Pacemaker placement
• Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization
• Percutaneous Transluminal Coronry Angioplsty (PTCA)
• Coronary Stenting
• Rotoblator
• Directional Coronary Atherectomy (DCA)
• Cardioversion
• Internal Automatic Cardiac Defibrilator

Cardiology Testing

Electrocardiograms and exercise stress tests are performed in the Cardiology Department of the hospital. This latter test allows the Cardiologist to see the effect of exercise on your heart, a way to measure its reaction to an increased demand for oxygen.

Open Heart Service

Valley Baptist-Brownsville has a dedicated “Heart Room” in the surgery department, where open heart, or coronary bypass surgery, is performed. A “Heart Team” of specially trained nurses and technicians work with cardiovascular surgeons to offer this important surgical procedure in Brownsville.