Scott Merrick, M.D., director of Cardiothoracic Surgery, looks at new treatments in cardiovascular medicine as well as new technologies being developed at the UCSF Heart & Vascular Center.
UCSF physicians are encouraging referring physicians to refer heart failure patients earlier than they may have in the past. Early referral for advanced treatments can improve quality of life, as well as lead to more successful heart transplantation if needed, they say.
The electrophysiology (EP) lab at UCSF's Heart and Vascular Center is the only facility in California to offer radiofrequency catheter ablation using a leading-edge magnetic navigation system for patients with cardiac arrhythmias. Since the lab opened one year ago, UCSF electrophysiologists have seen hundreds of patients from around the world.
Patients who need more than drug therapy to treat their coronary artery disease have two choices: 1) performing coronary artery balloon angioplasty or stenting to hold open the arteries, or 2) getting coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Picking the right path for treatment requires the combined knowledge of many experts who know the strengths and weaknesses of each approach for any given patient, UCSF heart physicians say.
Clinicians at UCSF, led by Linda Reilly, M.D., and Timothy Chuter, M.D., have recently completed a multiyear study demonstrating that multi-branched stent grafts for throacoabdominal aortic aneurysm are safe and versatile.
Vikram Viswanathan was in the United States for only six months when he learned his life was in peril. He contracted what he thought was just a cold and respiratory infection, but the 22 year old had a rare myocarditis that led to heart failure.
See information on upcoming continuing medical education courses.
The UCSF Physician Liaison Service provides assistance and information to referring physicians, medical groups and health plans. Please call the Physician Liaison Service or visit www.ucsfhealth.org/health_professionals.
Phone: (800) 444-2559
Fax: (415) 353-4395
Email: referral.center@ucsfmedctr.org
The UCSF Transfer Center is open 24 hours daily to coordinate the transfer of your patients to UCSF Medical Center from hospitals throughout the region.
Phone: (415) 353-9166
Fax: (415) 353-9172
