St. David's HealthCare

St. David's HealthCare is one of the largest health systems in Texas and Austin's
third-largest private employer, with more than 60 sites throughout Central Texas,
including seven hospitals, four urgent care centers, four ambulatory surgery centers,
and two freestanding emergency departments, with a third set to open in Bastrop this summer.

St. David's HealthCare has a long history of serving the residents of Central Texas
with exceptional medical care. Our 7,500 employees touch over 858,000 lives each
year with a spirit of warmth, friendliness and personal pride.

Visit our main website at www.StDavids.com
St. David's Medical Center (512) 476-7111
St. David's North Austin (512) 901-1000
St. David's South Austin (512) 447-2211
St. David's Round Rock (512) 341-1000
St. David's Georgetown (512) 943-3000
St. David's Rehabilitation (512) 544-5100
Heart Hospital of Austin (512) 407-7000

News

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Heart Hospital of Austin First in Austin To Use Live 3D Transesophageal Echo Imaging During Cardiac Procedures

3D Transesophageal Echo Provides Accurate Image of the Heart
In Real Time, Improving Accuracy and Patient Outcomes

AUSTIN, Texas-Heart Hospital of Austin has become the first facility in Austin to use the next generation of cardiac imagining. With Live 3D Transesophageal Echo (TEE), physicians can see cardiac structure and function, as well as real-time displays of the beating heart, from new perspectives. This allows surgeons to more accurately perform corrective cardiac procedures.

"With a 3D image of the heart, surgeons and anesthesiologists can see the complete valve from multiple perspectives while it is beating, allowing us to have a comprehensive plan in place even before the first incision," Daniel Berson, D.O., an anesthesiologist at Heart Hospital of Austin, said. "This also enables the surgeon to assess procedure outcomes and function before closing the chest and, if needed, further repairs can be done immediately."

The new 3D TEE provides visualization and function never before seen in real time when compared to the gold-standard MRI scan. Three-dimensional views are also easier to understand, allowing for more effective communication with patients and families.

"These visualizations give us amazingly clear pictures of the heart and on-the-spot evaluation," Stephen J. Dewan, M.D., F.AC.S., a surgeon with Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons, said. "With a live 3D picture, we can more effectively determine the best treatment plan for patients, as well as more accurately repair the heart. This significantly lowers the chances a patient will need to be readmitted later on for further repairs."

The Live 3D TEE can also display images of the heart after the procedure, allowing surgeons to visualize repairs and devices with a whole new level of clarity. It is currently being used to perform valve repair surgery, specifically for tricuspid and mitral valve repair procedures. It will also be used to perform trans arterial valve replacement surgeries.


Heart Hospital of Austin

Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, Heart Hospital of Austin is a shared vision of local cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons. Working with hospital leadership, the physicians created an atmosphere of quality, resulting in the leading cardiac program in Texas for six consecutive years as ranked by HealthGrades®-a leading independent health ratings organization. In July 2009, a study funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services revealed that Heart Hospital of Austin was the leading hospital in the United States for treatment of a heart attack. Heart Hospital of Austin is also a five-time recipient of the Thomson Reuter's 100 Top Hospitals® Cardiovascular Benchmarks Award. In addition to providing a full range of cardiovascular services and an advanced Executive Wellness Program, Heart Hospital of Austin has a comprehensive 24/7 emergency department. For more information, please visit HeartHospitalofAustin.com.

HealthGrades 2012

Thomas Reuters 50 Top Cardio Hospitals 2012

Awards & Recognition


Heart Hospital of Austin Named One of the Nation's 100 Top Hospitals® for Cardiovascular Care by Thomson Reuters

 

Heart Hospital of Austin Named by Thomson Reuters as a Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospital in the Nation for the 5th Time

 

Ranked #1 in Texas for Cardiology Services

 

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