Cardiac Critical Care
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Aortic Coarctation Balloon Angioplasty
This nonsurgical procedure widens a narrowed aorta. During the procedure, a balloon is inflated inside the narrowed aorta to expand the blood vessel. Widening the aorta will improve blood flow to the body.
Our program highlights a team-based approach to care. Intensivists lead a multidisciplinary team of experienced professionals, which includes surgeons, cardiologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists, and nurses. Intensivists also work closely with doctors from many specialties, including anesthesiologists, electrophysiologists, hospitalists and palliative medicine. Because the experience of being critically ill affects entire families, we work closely with social workers, spiritual care, and patient advocacy to address the needs of all affected by the critical illness of a loved one.
Conditions
Cardiogenic shock: A serious condition that happens when your heart is not able to pump enough blood and oxygen to the brain, kidneys and other vital organs. Heart attack is the most common cause of cardiogenic shock, although heart failure, chest injuries, side effects from medications and blood clots in the lungs may also cause it. Cardiac critical care support frequently includes intravenous vasoactive medications to support the heart pump function.
Treatments
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): ECMO stands for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The ECMO machine is similar to the heart-lung bypass machine used in open-heart surgery. It pumps and oxygenates a patient's blood outside the body, allowing the heart and lungs to rest. When you are connected to an ECMO, blood flows through tubing to an artificial lung in the machine that adds oxygen and takes out carbon dioxide; then the blood is warmed to body temperature and pumped back into your body.
Impella: A non-surgical heart pump that temporarily assists with the heart’s pumping function during stent placement.
Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP): A thin balloon used to help maintain heart function on a short-term basis. The IABP is inserted into an artery, usually in the leg, then maneuvered into the main artery that leaves the heart. An IABP is used when patients are awaiting more advanced devices.