Cardiology

Our Accredited Chest Pain Center is proud to offer the subcutaneous implantable cardiac defibrillator (S-ICD). This is a newer alternative to a traditional ICD device for ventricular fibrillation, which can result in heart attack. The S-ICD helps prevent heart attack and monitors your heart rhythm, bringing it back to normal when a fast or abnormal heart beat is detected.

We provide outstanding care for heart attacks, which is why we have received The Joint Commission Gold Seal Certificate of Distinction for Myocardial Infarction. This means our program meets clinical performance standards for targeted metrics as well as other compliance standards.

Patients diagnosed with aortic stenosis have a less invasive way to replace a failing heart valve without the need for traditional open-heart surgery. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), sometimes called TAVI, is an option for patients with these symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain (angina)
• Fatigue or fainting
• Heart palpitations

TAVR is a minimally invasive option that may help some patients recover with less discomfort and a shorter hospital stay than traditional open-heart valve surgery. Your care team will discuss whether you’re a candidate and what recovery may look like for you.

The TAVR procedure is done in these steps:

• A small incision is typically made in the groin (femoral artery).
• Using advanced X-ray imaging, a cardiologist guides a catheter through blood vessels until it reaches the heart.
• The new biological valve — which is collapsed to fit inside the tube — is placed inside the old, narrowed valve.
• A balloon is inflated (or the valve self-expands), pushing the old valve flaps out of the way and securely taking over the job of regulating blood flow.
• The catheter is removed and the incision is closed.

Chippenham Hospital features a team approach where interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons work together to create a personalized plan for every patient.

Chippenham Hospital offers pulsed field ablation (PFA) for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) to restore a normal heart rhythm.

When the heart beats irregularly, it’s usually because a small group of cells is sending out "rogue" electrical signals. An ablation neutralizes those specific cells to stop the interference.

Instead of using extreme heat or cold to destroy tissue, PFA uses ultra-rapid electrical pulses. A device sends high-energy electrical fields that only affect specific types of cells.

PFA uses ultra-rapid electrical pulses designed to more selectively affect heart tissue involved in AFib, which may help reduce impact on nearby structures compared to thermal ablation methods. Your electrophysiologist will review potential benefits and risks.

Advantages of PFA include:

• The procedure is "tissue-selective," meaning it targets the heart cells while ignoring the delicate structures right next to them.
• In some cases, PFA may reduce time in the procedure room compared with some other ablation approaches, depending on your treatment plan.
• Many patients can resume light activities within a few days, but recovery time varies. Your care team will provide personalized guidance.

When heart disease becomes advanced, sometimes a "re-route" is the best way to ensure your heart gets the oxygen it needs. Coronary artery bypass grafting, commonly known as CABG (pronounced "cabbage"), restores blood flow to the heart muscle.

A cardiovascular surgeon takes a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body —usually the leg, arm, or chest — and attaches it to the blocked artery. This new vessel "bypasses" the blockage, creating a brand-new path for oxygen-rich blood to reach your heart. The two main types of this procedure are:

• On-Pump CABG: The heart is temporarily stopped, and a heart-lung machine does the work of breathing and circulating blood during the surgery.
• Off-Pump ("Beating Heart") CABG: The surgeon operates while the heart is still beating, using specialized equipment to stabilize the specific area being treated.

For some patients — such as those with multiple blockages or left main disease — CABG may lower the chance of needing another procedure compared with other options. Your care team will recommend the approach that best fits your condition.

Because CABG is a major surgery, the recovery process includes these steps:

• Most patients stay in the hospital for 4 to 7 days.
• Patients will likely participate in a supervised cardiac exercise and education program.
• Most people return to their normal routines within 6 to 12 weeks.

For the fourth year in a row, Chippenham Hospital earned the highest possible 3-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for patient care and outcomes in bypass surgery.

The three-star rating, which is only awarded to approximately 20% of survey participants, places the hospital among the elite for heart bypass surgery in the U.S. and Canada.

The hospital offers:

• Multidisciplinary teams, including surgeons, cardiologists and specialized nurses.
• Advanced recovery protocols to help patients recover quickly.
• Support from nutritionists and physical therapists who guide patients through each step.

Electrophysiology (EP) focuses on the heart’s electrical system. Your heart relies on timed impulses to tell it when to beat and how to pump blood efficiently.

When these electrical signals get crossed, or move too fast or slow, it results in an arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat). An Electrophysiologist is a specialized cardiologist who diagnoses and "rewires" these electrical issues to get your heart back in sync.

Chippenham’s EP Lab offers specialized treatments for patients with arrhythmias or atrial fibrillation. They include:

• EP study: A diagnostic test where tiny sensors are used to "map" the heart's electrical paths to find exactly where a problem starts.
• Ablation: Using cold (cryo) or heat (radiofrequency) energy to neutralize the tiny area of heart tissue causing the irregular rhythm.
• Pacemaker/ICD placement: Installing small, smart devices under the skin to regulate the heartbeat or provide a life-saving shock if the heart stops.
• Cardioversion: Using a controlled electrical shock to "reset" the heart back into a normal rhythm.
• Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) implant: This is a small, permanent device designed to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation who cannot tolerate long-term blood thinners.

Many heart rhythm procedures are minimally invasive, meaning they use small catheters and require only a tiny nick in the skin — allowing patients to return home the very same day.

Patients experiencing these symptoms should see an electrophysiologist:

• Palpitations
• Racing heartbeat
• Fainting or near-fainting
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure
• Slow heartbeat

Interventional cardiac catheterization at Chippenham Hospital is a way to fix heart problems without performing major surgery.

A cardiologist threads thin, flexible tube through a tiny puncture in the wrist or groin and navigate it through your blood vessels directly to your heart. Specialized tools — like tiny balloons or stents — are used to clear blockages or repair damage.

Advantages of interventional cardiac catheterization include:

• Compared with open surgery, minimally invasive catheter-based procedures can involve smaller incisions and may reduce discomfort and infection risk for some patients.
• Many patients can go home the same day or the next day, depending on the procedure and their overall health.
• In the event of a heart attack, every second counts. Rapid treatment can restore blood flow and may help reduce damage to the heart muscle.

Interventional catheterization is also used to manage chronic heart issues, including:

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart valve problems
• Congenital heart defects

We are committed to providing you with the cardiac care you deserve to aid in a fast recovery after a heart attack or surgery. Our dedicated team of nurses, exercise physiologists and dietitians will help you and your family adjust to changes in your life after a cardiac event. We provide you the cardiac rehabilitation services and resources you need to get back to your active lifestyle.