Merging the Art and Science of Treating Heart Disease
Penn's Coronary Artery Disease Program treats patients who may be at risk for, or those who have already had a heart attack.
Diagnosis and choice of treatment for coronary artery disease (CAD) are not as straightforward as might be imagined. That's where the vast experience of Penn physicians makes a difference. Their expert clinical judgment and knowledge of the latest in heart disease technology and techniques are why the toughest cases in the region are routinely referred to Penn Medicine.
Experience patients can rely on
Patients can rely on excellent care at Penn because:
- Interventional cardiologists at Penn have the experience, expertise and advanced technology to perform percutaneous (catheter-based) coronary interventions in the highest risk patients, including those with complex or left main disease and those not suitable for surgery.
- Penn cardiovascular surgeons are noted nationally for expertise in arterial grafting and arterial conduits. They treat many complex cases that cannot be treated at other medical institutions.
Results that improve longevity and quality of life
Penn ranks among the best cardiovascular centers in the nation with:
- An angioplasty/stent success rate of more than 95 percent and a complication rate below 3 percent.
- High success rates for re-operative coronary artery bypass grafting (Re-operations account for up to 10 percent of all coronary artery procedures and the success rate is in the 97 percent range when these re-operations are performed electively).
Cardiovascular surgeons and dedicated cardiovascular anesthesiologists at Penn have developed advanced perfusion techniques that reduce the risk of stroke while a patient is on a heart-lung machine.
"Firsts" that open new options for patients
Penn was one of the first medical centers in the United States to:
- Perform coronary stenting, and, more recently, to use drug-eluting stents to reduce restenosis.
- Use a hybrid approach, a combination of surgical and catheter-based intervention, to coronary artery revascularization.
- Develop advanced robotic procedures to perform minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
- Use the TandemHeart® and Impella® left ventricular-assist devices to perform high-risk angioplasty procedures more safely.
Physicians with credentials that translate to the best in quality care
Penn physicians are able to provide quality care because:
- Penn's coronary artery disease specialists are board certified in cardiovascular disease.
- They provide consultation and training for other medical professionals around the world.
- They are regularly acknowledged for their talent by both peers and consumers and have been recognized by Best Doctors in America, Philadelphia magazine's “Top Docs” and America's Top Doctors.
Integrated and coordinated care that maximizes quality and convenience
As a tertiary care medical center, Penn offers patients the full range of possible medical, interventional and surgical options for the management of their heart disease.
Unique capabilities and expertise
You can expect to benefit from Penn's unique capabilities and expertise because:
- Penn interventional cardiologists use the latest technological advances in stents and catheter-based devices.
- The largest LDL apheresis program in the country serves the unique population of patients with unusually high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) who are unresponsive to drug treatment.
Personalized, Informed Recommendations and Care Plans
A multispecialty team performs an extensive risk/benefit analysis for each patient. The goal is to find the lowest risk and least invasive treatment option that can still deliver the best in long-term survival and quality of life.
Patients can expect a supportive environment with medical professionals who understand what their concerns. Each care plan is individually tailored to the needs of the individual.