Specialties
The Division of Cardiology specializes in preventing, detecting and treating heart disease.
We realize the importance of timely evaluation and early diagnosis of individuals at risk for complex cardiac problems.
We use the most sophisticated diagnostic techniques available to make it as easy and efficient as possible for our patients to obtain a thorough cardiology assessment.
After clarifying a disorder's nature, extent and cause, we develop an individualized treatment plan. We focus on helping each patient manage all facets of their condition, with recovery as the ultimate goal.
Disorders and diseases that we help our patients manage
Patients benefit from our approximately 20 board-certified cardiologists' skill in specialties such as echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology.
They are expert in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart illnesses including:
• Adult congenital heart disease
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Congestive heart failure
• Coronary artery disease
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Vascular disease
• Valvular heart disease
• Cardiomyopathy
We work closely with other specialists to develop the most effective treatment plan for each patient.
Procedures we perform to maintain our patients' health
Medical cardiology and noninvasive procedures
Considered our first line of defense against cardiac disease, medical cardiology encompasses prevention regimens, medications and rehabilitation programs.
We also apply various noninvasive diagnostic and test procedures and technology including:
• Stress tests
• Echocardiography
• Electrocardiography
• Nuclear cardiology
• Pacemaker and defibrillator follow-up
Interventional cardiology
For cardiac patients requiring the next level of testing and treatment, we provide a vast range of interventional procedures, from diagnostic evaluations to intricate techniques for the treatment of coronary disease. These procedures include:
• Ablation
• Angioplasty
• Atrial septal defect (ASD) closure
• Cardiac catheterization
• Coronary angiography
• Coronary stent placement
• Implantation of defibrillators
• Implantation of permanent pacemakers
• Myocardial revascularization
Advanced services, skills and areas of expertise that benefit our patients
The medical community recognizes our cardiac specialists nationally and internationally for their overall diagnostic and treatment skills, and particularly for their capabilities in treating these illnesses and disorders:
• Arrhythmia
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Heart failure
• Coronary artery disease
Arrhythmia treatment
The heart's basic rhythm is a precisely regulated phenomenon that provides maximum efficiency and optimum performance. This dynamic phenomenon changes according to our bodies' metabolic needs.
Any condition that affects the structure of the heart muscle or its valves, or alters electrical activity within the heart, is likely to cause an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia.
Arrhythmias may be benign, symptomatic, life threatening or even fatal.
Severe coronary heart disease frequently triggers arrhythmias. Congenital heart defects, congestive heart failure, heart muscle disease, heart valve disorders and other diseases such as lung conditions or hyperthyroidism may also cause arrhythmias.
External forces such as an electric shock or severe chest injury can also trigger an arrhythmia.
Our specialists perform a variety of minimally invasive and noninvasive procedures to diagnose and understand abnormal heart rhythms.
Test results provide us with important information about an arrhythmia, the patient's risk of serious disease and their probable response to treatment.
In addition to diagnostic procedures, we offer various methods to restore the heart's normal, regular rhythm. One of the most effective and frequently used is cardiac ablation.
During this nonsurgical procedure, after locating the precise source of an arrhythmia, we apply radiofrequency energy through a catheter to eradicate the small amount of abnormal heart tissue causing the problem.
Other arrhythmia-related procedures and services our cardiologists provide include implanting cardiac defibrillators, pacemaker insertions and pacemaker and cardiac defibrillator follow-up evaluations.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy treatment
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a complex disease marked by thickening of the heart muscle. It is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes and in people under 30.
The disease does not affect everyone the same way. Patients may have shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, chest pressure or pain, fainting or no symptoms at all.
Proper therapy begins with an accurate diagnosis. We make the initial diagnosis with echocardiography, a noninvasive imaging technique that focuses sound waves to picture the heart and measure the heart wall thickness. We often perform other follow-up tests to confirm our diagnosis and assess risk.
We base each patient's treatment on the nature and severity of symptoms, the amount of thickening within the heart, and the presence of obstructive or non-obstructive HCM. Patients with an obstruction have a blockage inside the heart that causes this muscle to overwork as it pumps blood throughout the body.
HCM treatment options include medications, surgery or implanting a defibrillator -- a device that shocks the heart back to a normal rhythm if a life-threatening irregular heartbeat occurs.
Heart failure treatment
Congestive heart failure is a progressive condition in which the heart's function gradually deteriorates, resulting in diminished cardiac performance.
Ultimately, reduced blood flow to vital organs leads to a variety of symptoms including shortness of breath, lack of energy and swelling.
The mission of our heart failure program is to improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of death for patients with congestive heart failure.
Heart failure begins when a heart attack or long-standing high blood pressure damages or weakens a person's heart. Consequently, the heart loses its ability to pump blood efficiently.
Over time, this condition becomes more severe.
Our strategy is to focus on the entire spectrum of a patient's illness, and strive toward improving the long-term outcome of this serious disease. We work closely with other specialists to develop the most effective individualized treatment plans.
Our heart failure treatment program applies leading-edge scientific and clinical advances to benefit each patient and provide services such as:
• Biventricular pacing system implantation
• Case management
• Counseling to assist with lifestyle changes
• Defibrillator implantation
• Diagnostic techniques and technology
• Exercise programs
• Heart transplant evaluations
• Nutritional assessments
• Information on clinical studies
• Patient education and disease management
We make all diagnostic and therapeutic decisions jointly with each patient's referring physician.
Coronary artery disease treatment
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease and the number one cause of death of both men and women in the United States.
This condition occurs when plaque deposits gradually narrow or block the coronary arteries -- the vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart.
This degenerative process is called hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. It decreases the space through which blood can flow. Poor blood flow can "starve" the heart and lead to chest pains or a heart attack.
In many people, atherosclerosis begins in childhood and develops gradually over a lifetime. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity and smoking contribute to this condition.
Detection may include a cholesterol test to determine the level of fatty acids in the blood. We can detect arteries narrowed by plaque through cardiac catheterization or a CT scan.
In many cases, the disease goes undiagnosed until severe complications occur, such as stroke or a heart attack.
We treat early-stage atherosclerosis with oral prescriptions to reduce high levels of blood cholesterol. When the condition has progressed to a point where it severely blocks an artery, we turn to minimally invasive procedures including balloon dilation or stenting. Cardiovascular surgery also may be necessary.
In all cases, we strongly advise patients to make lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, following a heart-friendly diet and exercising.
Research is an important element of improving patient care
Members of the Division of Cardiology are also on the faculty of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and members of St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center's Department of Medicine. They are committed to participating in leading-edge research involving both institutions.
Members of the division are actively involved in the design and implementation of nationally funded clinical trials, in addition to regularly participating in such trials themselves.
Links where you can obtain important medical information
The Arrhythmia Service
The American Heart Association
The American College of Cardiology
Cardiology Online
St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program
Contact the division for information, an appointment or consultation
