Arrhythmia Management and Electrophysiology
Arrhythmia Management and Electrophysiology
Arrhythmias are electrical problems within the heart that affect millions of patients each year. Either in following patients with established arrhythmias or evaluating patients who have symptoms concerning for an arrhythmia such as palpitations, the arrhythmia monitoring program at CAFC provides comprehensive care to those in our community. Early detection and management are the keys to a successful outcome in patients who suffer from arrhythmia. The electrophysiology team at CAFC is comprised of board-certified cardiologists who focus on the treatment of these conditions. They provide a range of treatments from consultative assessments to medical therapy, pacemakers, defibrillators, and ablation. The CAFC electrophysiologists are supported by physician assistants in the office and hospital to expedite care and provide support for patients and their families.
Atrial Fibrillation Management
Atrial Fibrillation Management
All CAFC providers are expert in the management of atrial fibrillation and work closely with the electrophysiology team to tailor a regimen specific to each patient. Most patients with AF will take blood thinners (anticoagulants) to prevent the blood clots that cause strokes. Outpatient AF management is conveniently offered at all CAFC offices. AF ablation is performed by the CAFC electrophysiology team at St. Vincent’s Medical Center and Stamford Hospital.
Cardiac Genetics
Cardiac Genetics
Like most conditions, there is a genetic component to many cardiovascular diseases. Some conditions have a very strong genetic pattern like cholesterol disorders or structural conditions of the heart muscle. In other diseases such as hypertension or coronary artery disease, your genetic background might be a part of the cause of your condition. Understanding the genetics of heart disease can be complicated but important in creating an optimal treatment plan. The team at CAFC works with a cardiac geneticist to better understand the genetic component of heart disease so we can help ensure you receive the most comprehensive care possible.
Cardio-Oncology
Cardio-Oncology
With rapid advances in both cardiac and cancer care, people are living longer after their diagnoses increasing the likelihood that a person with cancer might suffer from a cardiac event. Specific populations, particularly older women, are at much higher risk for such a complication. In addition, certain oncological treatments - which are life-saving therapies for cancer - can trigger or worsen a cardiovascular condition. Using advanced imaging techniques, our cardio-oncology team will work with your oncologist to monitor your cardiovascular condition during your cancer treatments to help ensure a successful outcome.
Congestive Heart Failure Management
Congestive Heart Failure Management
We provide the most up-to-date treatments to manage CHF and avoid complications. Using a combination of office-based drug therapy, a heart failure clinic, arrhythmia device management, invasive pressure monitoring, and coordination with heart transplantation experts, CAFC can help you manage this chronic condition and improve both your quality and quantity of life.
Coronary Artery Disease Treatment
Coronary Artery Disease Treatment
Treatment of CAD focuses on the primary cause but often involves a combination of medical therapy, lifestyle changes, exercise, and interventional restoration of flow when needed. Your cardiologist at CAFC will create a unique treatment plan in line with the most updated guidelines and recommendations to prevent progression of CAD and the complications it can cause.
High Cholesterol Management
High Cholesterol Management
As part of a comprehensive treatment plan, our team at CAFC can help you modify this risk factor and help avoid new or recurrent cardiovascular events. CAFC has been on the forefront of research expanding our knowledge of high cholesterol and its treatments. You can also view a video here.
Hypertension Management
Hypertension Management
If left untreated, high blood pressure can result in serious complications including strokes, kidney failure, heart failure, or heart attack. When treated correctly, those complications can be avoided. Our team at CAFC are experts in the diagnosis and management of your high blood pressure and work in concert with your primary care provider to help you achieve your ideal blood pressure goals.
Pacemaker Interrogation
Pacemaker Interrogation
The electrophysiology team at CAFC are experts in diagnosing and managing conditions that warrant the insertion of pacemakers and are highly skilled in the implantation and management of whatever device is required. These devices can, in part, be monitored from your home as part of the CAFC remote monitoring program. Pacemakers can be inserted by the CAFC electrophysiology team in all our affiliated hospitals and device management is conveniently performed in most of our outpatient locations.
Preventive Cardiology
Preventive Cardiology
Avoiding a cardiovascular problem is the ultimate goal for patients, families, and providers. Preventive cardiology assesses a patient’s risks for future cardiac events and creates a plan to lower those risks. Using an interdisciplinary approach including clinical evaluations, lipid assessments, and coronary calcium scoring, a treatment plan can be created to prevent a cardiac condition. Watch a video here.
Valvular Heart Disease Treatment
Valvular Heart Disease Treatment
At times, medications or valvular interventions with surgery or catheters may be required. Catheter-based treatment of valvular heart disease is one of the most dynamic and exciting areas in cardiology. The physicians at CAFC are all experienced in the management of complex valvular heart disease and will create a diagnostic and treatment plan to improve your quality of life and ensure your best outcomes.
Vascular Interventional Services
Vascular Interventional Services
Unfortunately, Peripheral Arterial Disease is often asymptomatic or it can mimic the symptoms of several other conditions. As a result, it can be underdiagnosed which can lead to delayed or missed diagnoses. Thankfully, with proper clinical evaluations and testing, PAD does not need to lead to complications. The team at CAFC is adept at the evaluation and treatment of PAD. Often, an initial evaluation includes a history of symptoms and a physical examination. If needed, several tests can be performed to determine the presence and extent of PAD. Usually, these include blood pressure tests of the arms and legs, ultrasounds of the arteries involved, and CT scans or MRIs. Frequently, mild or moderate PAD can be treated with a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and exercise. If necessary, more severe cases may require more intensive therapies. All clinicians at CAFC are expert in the assessment and treatment of PAD. The interventional team can perform peripheral angiograms and other such procedures at all of our affiliated hospitals.
Vascular Medicine
Vascular Medicine
Cardiovascular disease does not just affect the arteries of the heart. Vascular disease can affect all arteries in the body and can lead to problems including stroke, kidney failure, and amputation. Using a combination of clinical assessments, diagnostic imaging such as ultrasound and CT, and interventional (angioplasty) therapies, the team at CAFC can help you manage all aspects of your vascular condition, improve symptoms, and avoid complications.
Women’s Heart Disease
Women’s Heart Disease
Historically, heart disease was felt to be a condition that predominantly affected men. Women who suffered from cardiac conditions were either misdiagnosed or diagnosed far too late, in part because women's symptoms of heart disease are different than those that men feel. We now understand that heart disease affects both women and men and, in some age groups, can affect women at a greater rate than their male counterparts. In fact, while one in seventeen women will tragically die from breast cancer, one in three will die from cardiovascular causes over the course of her life. Understanding the differences in the presentation of heart disease in women, how heart disease can affect them after it occurs, and the differences in heart testing between women and men is critical for a successful outcome. The specialists in women's heart disease at CAFC will help you throughout your cardiac process. We have been proud supporters and sponsors of the Women at Heart program since its inception at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in 2012. This program has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help underserved women receive the cardiac care they need.