Every heart has a story

Not all hospitals have the equipment, facilities, and other resources needed to treat severe heart attacks. The  STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarctions) Receiving Center designation recognizes hospitals that:

• Maintain a communication system with EMS agencies to identify heart attacks before the patient arrives at the hospital
• Can administer percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the preferred means of treating patients experiencing a heart attack, within the national standard for “door-to-balloon” time

This critical care system links prehospital and in-hospital care to deliver treatment to STEMI patients who potentially require immediate intervention.

These suites bring the high-definition imaging capabilities of a cardiac catheterization lab together with the advanced surgical equipment of a cardiac operating room in one space. This allows advanced diagnostic imaging and surgical procedures to be performed simultaneously. And, if the situation arises, a minimally invasive procedure can quickly be converted into a traditional surgical procedure without having to move the patient, saving precious time.

By merging these capabilities into one room, surgical procedures that used to require two or more hospital visits can now be performed during a single use of anesthesia, reducing the physical and emotional stress placed on patients and their families.

Our commitment to quality care and patient safety is reflected in the recognition French Hospital Medical Center and Marian Regional Medical Center have received from industry-leading organizations like Healthgrades, The Leapfrog Group, and many others.

French Hospital Medical Center and Marian Regional Medical Center are home to state-of-the-art tools for the diagnosis of cardiac problem, and offer the most advanced therapies as well as interventional and surgical procedures to treat them.  

Some examples of the advanced cardiac technologies available include:

• Micra Transcatheter Pacing System—the world’s smallest pacemaker
• Watchman Device— an implant that offers an alternative to taking blood thinners for those with Afib 
• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)—minimally invasive valve replacement

The cardiac rehabilitation programs at French Hospital Medical Center and Marian Regional Medical Center combine monitored exercise, diet counseling, and health education to help patients learn heart-healthy habits. 

Coronary calcium scoring is a way to detect coronary artery disease in an early stage before symptoms arise using a computed tomography (CT) scan to detect the buildup of calcium on the walls of the arteries of the heart (coronary arteries). The presence of calcium indicates that there may be plaque in the coronary artery that can limit or block blood flow to the heart.  

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