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Cardiovascular Interventional Lab at Chilton
Chilton's new Cardiovascular Interventional Lab (CVIL) has been completely renovated to accommodate a wider range of heart, vascular and interventional procedures while creating a more patient-friendly experience. First opened in 1997, the facility has kept pace with ongoing advances in heart care, including radiology, vascular techniques, and interventional modalities. Most recently, it was redesigned to improve patient flow and privacy - establishing a waiting room for visitors and doubling the size of the pre-procedure/recovery area. The CVIL is also equipped with enhanced, state-of-the-art digital imaging technology.
Chilton's CVIL is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for such procedures as cardiac catheterizations, primary angioplasty, peripheral vascular procedures, interventional radiology procedures and pacemaker implantation.
- Cardiac Catheterization (Angiography) - The "gold standard" for diagnosing coronary artery disease, this test provides live, detailed information about the heart's blood vessels, arteries, valves and chambers, allowing physicians to immediately detect blockages or abnormalities. Many patients undergo same-day procedures and many can be discharged after just one hour of recovery.
- Primary Angioplasty - Chilton is among a select group of community hospitals licensed for primary angioplasty, an emergency intervention for patients suffering from heart attacks. Approximately 25 percent more effective than traditional medications, this minimally invasive procedure enables our interventional cardiologists to open blocked arteries and minimize heart damage, while eliminating the need for patients to be transferred to a heart surgery center. Chilton far exceeds State requirements by completing most angioplasties within 68 minutes of a patient's arrival. Click here to read an amazing heart attack survival story at Chilton.
- Peripheral Vascular Procedures - Numerous interventions are available to treat peripheral arterial disease. Minimally invasive techniques, such as angioplasty, atherectomy and stenting, offer an effective alternative to surgical bypass, relieving symptoms and preventing tissue loss. Many of these procedures can be performed in an outpatient setting with minimal recovery time. Chilton is also at the forefront of interventional therapies for deep venous thrombosis, a major cause of death and disability in this country. Innovative new procedures can remove blood clots from the veins and improve quality of life.
- Interventional Radiology - Interventional radiologists perform various image-guided, minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat cancer, kidney disease, bladder disease and other conditions. This approach involves less risk and less pain than open surgery while promoting faster recovery.
- Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) - A tiny, flexible probe is passed into the patient's esophagus and stomach to capture detailed images of the heart. Performed under IV sedation, the procedure allows physicians to evaluate the heart's chambers and valves for abnormalities.
- Cardioversion - This common procedure is used to correct an abnormal heart rhythm and may be combined with a TEE, as explained above, to identify blood clots in the heart.
- Pacemaker Implantation - Your cardiologist may recommend a pacemaker to keep your heart beating properly. These devices are surgically implanted in our CVIL and subsequently monitored by our Pacemaker Center.
Call 1-888-CHILTON for more information about Chilton's Heart and Vascular Care or referral to a skilled Chilton physician.
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