Heart and Vascular Center

The Manatee Heart and Vascular Center and the Valve Institute at Manatee Memorial Hospital provide patients with an individualized approach to heart care that includes assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluation.

Cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons coordinate care with other members of the healthcare team, such as emergency care physicians, to help put patients on the road to recovery. The faster a heart attack patient receives artery-clearing intervention, the better the chance of survival and recovery.

Award-Winning Care

Received the Chest Pain, MI Registry, Platinum Performance Achievement Award from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry/American College of Cardiology, 2021

Mission: Lifeline STEMI Receiving Center Gold Quality Achievement Award, American Heart Association® for the seventh year in a row, 2021

Awarded Transcatheter Valve Certification from the American College of Cardiology, 2021

Accredited Chest Pain Center with PCI and Resuscitation, awarded by the American College of Cardiology

Accredited in Adult Transthoracic Echocardiography and Adult Transesophageal Echocardiography by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission

Advanced Cardiovascular Procedures and Services

Advanced cardiovascular procedures and services available from the Heart and Vascular Center are described in more detail below.

Cardiac Diagnostic and Interventional Procedures

One of the best ways to reduce the chance of heart damage is to discover the problem early and begin treatment as soon as possible. Advanced cardiac diagnostic and interventional capabilities at Manatee Memorial Hospital include the following:

• WATCHMAN FLX™ left atrial appendage implant
• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
• Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR)
• MitraClip
• Cardiac catheterization
• Angioplasty
• Stenting
• Atherectomy
• Laser therapy
• Thrombectomy and thrombolysis therapy
• Intracoronary ultrasound
• Valvoplasty
• Stress testing

Echocardiography and Diagnostics

These noninvasive studies can provide doctors with information about heart valves, heart muscle and the coronary arteries, as well as possible congenital heart abnormalities. They include:

• 2D and 3D echocardiography
• 2D and 3D transesophageal echocardiography
• Stress echocardiography
• Pediatric echo
• MitraClip work-up

Electrophysiology Diagnostic and Interventional Procedures

Electrophysiology diagnostic and interventional procedures at the Manatee Heart and Vascular Center help give electrophysiologists precision and accuracy. They can target and treat the heart tissue responsible for electrical disturbances and leave normal heart muscle intact. Procedures include:

• 3D mapping
• Intracardiac ultrasound
• Tilt table testing
• Implantables:
  • Pacemakers
  • Loop recorders
  • Defibrillators
  • Heart failure devices
  • Cardiac resynchronization
• Simple and complex radiofrequency ablations:
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Atrial flutter
  • Ventricular tachycardia
  • Supra ventricular tachycardia

Peripheral Vascular Diagnostic and Interventional Procedures

Peripheral vascular disease results from the obstruction of large arteries in the arms and legs. This condition can cause leg pain and limited mobility. Manatee Heart and Vascular Center is involved in research and teaching of peripheral vascular disease. The center uses advanced technology for limb salvage and to treat all vascular diseases. Procedures include:

• Angioplasty
• Atherectomy
• Carotid artery stenting
• Endovascular stent grafting of abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Laser therapy
• Limb salvage
• Stenting
• Thrombectomy and thrombolysis therapy

The Valve Institute

The Valve Institute at Manatee Memorial Hospital provides advanced treatment to patients with heart valve disease, including heart valve repair and heart valve replacement.

Coronary Bypass Surgery

This procedure gives blood a new pathway to the heart. Surgeons attach a vein or artery from the patient's leg to the coronary artery, on either side of a blockage to redirect blood flow around the blockage. Some patients may have multiple blockages that need to be bypassed.

Atrial Fibrillation

Manatee Memorial Hospital offers advanced treatment for this heart rhythm disorder. We are one of the few hospitals to offer the Epicor™ Cardiac Ablation System that uses high-intensity focused ultrasound energy to help correct this problem.

Endoscopic Vein Harvesting

In the past, when surgeons needed a vein or artery to use for coronary bypass surgery, they had to make a long incision in the patient's leg. Now, endoscopic vein harvesting requires one to three small incisions, each less than an inch in length. This can ease pain and provide a quicker recovery.

Know the Warning Signs of a Possible Heart Attack

Act quickly if you see or experience any of these symptoms below and don't wait! Call 9-1-1 immediately.

• Chest discomfort or pain
• Pain in the shoulders, arms, back or jaw
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness or fatigue
• Sweating