Surgical Options & Implantations
Electrophysiology and Pacemakers
End-Stage Heart Disease Treatment Program staff work in close collaboration with Albany Med’s board-certified cardiac electrophysiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons to effectively manage cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
Clinical services include:
- Implantation of cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) and
pacemakers - Cardiac resynchronization (biventricular pacing)
- Use of implantable physiological and hemodynamic
monitoring systems - Use of implantable cardiac rhythm monitors
- Sophisticated electromechanical mapping
- Performance of percutaneous atrial and ventricular
arrhythmia ablation - Pacemaker and ICD lead extraction procedures
- MAZE procedures
High-tech Imaging and Surgical Options
Patients with advanced and complex heart disease are evaluated in Albany Med’s new cardiac and diagnostic radiology suites that offer state-of-the-art technology.
Patients may undergo cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cardiac computed tomography/angiography (cardiac CT/A) using a 64-slice CT machine, cardiac
catheterization, intravascular ultrasound, endomyocardial biopsy, transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography, contrast echo or nuclear imaging.
Albany Med offers a full range of surgical options including minimally invasive cardiac surgery, robotic surgery, offpump coronary revascularization, and mitral and aortic valve repair and replacement in patients with cardiac dysfunction, as well as a host of percutaneous treatments for complex coronary artery disease.
Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Therapy
Albany Med offers ventricular assist device surgery as treatment for acute cardiogenic shock and as a treatment bridge to heart transplantation. The Center’s cardiothoracic surgeons are expert in implantation of left ventricular assist (LVAD), right ventricular assist (RVAD) and biventricular assist (BiVAD) devices.
Devices utilized include:
- HeartMate
- Thoratec
- Abiomed
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO)
