At The Heart Hospital at St. Joseph’s/Candler, our team of board-certified cardiologists offers innovative, minimally invasive procedures designed to restore and support heart health. From clearing blocked arteries to closing congenital heart defects, our specialists utilize state-of-the-art technology and therapeutic techniques to provide highly effective solutions for cardiovascular conditions. Patients benefit from improved blood flow, reduced stroke risks, and an enhanced quality of life — without the need for open surgery or extended hospital stays.
Our experienced cardiologists perform several advanced procedures to clear blocked arteries and improve blood flow to the heart, including balloon angioplasty and coronary stenting. In the cardiac catheterization labs, we use minimally invasive approaches to compress blockages and allow arteries to open, relieving symptoms and reducing health risks.
Angioplasty is a technique designed to widen narrowed arteries. Using a catheter with a deflated balloon at the tip, our specialists insert the device into the narrowed part of the artery. The balloon is then gently inflated, compressing the blockage and restoring blood flow. This targeted approach offers a safer and less invasive way to manage artery blockages compared to traditional surgery.
In many cases, our specialists follow angioplasty with stenting. A stent, sized to fit the patient’s artery, is placed around a deflated balloon on the catheter and inserted into the newly widened artery. Once positioned, the balloon is inflated, expanding the stent against the artery walls. After the catheter is removed, the stent remains in place, keeping the artery open for continuous, improved blood flow.
As the first in the region to offer the St. Jude Amplatzer Septal Occluder, The Heart Hospital at St. Joseph’s/Candler now provides a revolutionary option to close congenital heart defects, such as Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO). These holes in the heart’s upper chambers can cause abnormal blood flow and increase the risk of heart failure or stroke over time. This minimally invasive implant procedure closes the hole in the heart, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery and significantly improving patients’ quality of life.
This innovative implant device is positioned through a catheter inserted in the leg. With advanced imaging techniques, a skilled cardiologist carefully guides the device to the heart, deploying it across the congenital hole. Shaped like two small discs, the implant presses securely against the heart wall, immediately closing the hole for 95% of patients and allowing the heart lining to grow over it within six months. Patients typically return home within one to two days and begin experiencing reduced symptoms as their hearts adjust and function more normally.
Our patients’ experiences underscore the profound impact of these treatments. One 57-year-old woman, initially struggling with shortness of breath due to an untreated congenital hole, avoided a long trip to Atlanta by coming to us for her procedure. After a seamless implant placement, she returned home the next day and now experiences gradual symptom improvement as her heart adjusts to its restored function.
Similarly, a 76-year-old man dealing with recurrent strokes despite blood-thinner therapy benefited from the same implant procedure after discovering a PFO. His overnight stay with us ended in successful treatment, and he reports feeling well and free from stroke risk. Both cases illustrate the life-changing difference our advanced cardiac treatments make for patients with congenital heart defects.
If you or a loved one is in need of advanced cardiac care, we’re here to help. For more information on our services, treatments, and our dedicated team at The Heart Hospital at St. Joseph’s/Candler, call us at 912-819-4100 and ask for The Heart Hospital. Our experts are ready to discuss the latest options in heart care to support a healthier future.
