CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – Corpus Christi Medical Center is the first hospital in South Texas to install the CARTO 3 ®System, the most advanced technology available for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, commonly known as irregular heart rhythms. Approved by the FDA, the CARTO 3® imaging system is for patients who need to undergo an electrophysiology procedure that involves a complex mapping process. The new technology uses high frequency sound waves that reflect off tissue to produce 3-D view of the patient’s cardiac anatomy.
“Corpus Christi Medical Center is committed to providing life-saving healthcare to the community; the utilization of advanced technology is vital to our Heart Program”, said Kathleen Rubano, Chief Nursing Officer at Corpus Christi Medical Center. “This three-dimensional imaging system allows our physicians to quickly and accurately visualize cardiac anatomy to determine the best treatment option for patients with atrial fibrillation, or AFIB.”
According to the Texas Heart Institute, any irregularity in your heart's natural rhythm is called an arrhythmia. Almost everyone's heart skips or flutters at one time or another and these mild, one-time palpitations are harmless. Currently, there are about 4 million Americans who have recurrent arrhythmias, and these people should be under the care of a doctor. In addition, coronary artery disease as a whole is the number one killer in America, affecting more than 13 million Americans.
“Imaging with the new CARTO 3® System reinforces our commitment to helping the growing pool of arrhythmia patients get fast, effective treatment. This advanced technology places Corpus Christi Medical Center at the forefront of being able to visualize and treat nearly every type of arrhythmia,” says Wassim K. Choucair, M.D., F.A.C.C., Cardiologist at Corpus Christi Medical Center. “Patients in need of an AFIB ablation procedure or with palpitations and an irregular heart beat can get cutting-edge cardiac care locally every day of the week and not have to wait for specialists from Austin or elsewhere.”
The Cardiovascular Services at the Heart Hospital and Doctors Regional provide nationally recognized care to thousands of residents in the Coastal Bend. Our unparalleled team, innovative technologies and specialized programs are all aimed at preventing, diagnosing, and treating cardiovascular diseases to ensure the best possible outcome for our patients.
Christi Medical Center provides ongoing and interventional Cardiology Care in the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmia, which includes: interventional and electrophysiology procedures, ablation, internal cardiac defibrillation, and therapeutic procedures.
About Corpus Christi Medical Center
As a sign of commitment of quality improvement and efficiency, Corpus Christi Medical Center has received the Texas Health Care Quality Achievement Award. Committed to the care and improvement of human life, Corpus Christi Medical Center has been a growing part of South Texas since 1962. What began as a 26-bed facility in the early 60s has grown into a 583-bed system offering a full range of health care services with outstanding clinical care, superior technological care and comforting and reassuring personal care. Corpus Christi Medical Center includes four hospitals: Doctors Regional, Bay Area, The Heart Hospital and Northwest. Visit www.ccmedicalcenter.com .
About HCA Gulf Coast Division
HCA Gulf Coast Division is a comprehensive network of hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, emergency centers, cancer centers and diagnostic imaging facilities. It offers a complete continuum of specialized health programs and services that meet the needs of Greater Houston and South Texas residents and businesses. HCA affiliated facilities in the Gulf Coast Division include 12 hospitals, 6 ambulatory surgery centers, 4 free standing emergency centers, 5 imaging centers, 5 cancer care programs and a Regional Transfer Center. The Regional Transfer Center provides ground and air patient transportation to and from any HCA Houston Affiliated Hospital and any other healthcare facilities.
About Biosense Webster, Inc
Biosense Webster, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, pioneered electrophysiology diagnostic catheters more than 30 years ago and continues to lead the industry as an innovative provider of advanced diagnostic, therapeutic and mapping tools. As the leader in navigation systems and ablation therapy, Biosense Webster, Inc.'s technology includes the largest installed base of navigation systems worldwide in leading hospitals and teaching institutions. With proprietary products such as the CARTO® 3 System, the CARTOSOUND™ Image Integration Software Module, the THERMOCOOL® Irrigated Tip Catheter and the LASSO® Circular Variable Mapping Catheter, the company is changing the way electrophysiologists diagnose and treat arrhythmias.
For more information about Biosense Webster and its products, please visit: www.biosensewebster.com.