The cardiovascular programs of NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia are among the top in the country, with experts in every aspect of cardiovascular medicine, from heart failure and heart transplantation to interventional cardiology, cardiovascular imaging, and heart disease prevention. These include one of the world's largest and most renowned heart failure and transplant programs, and leading-edge interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, molecular cardiology, and atherosclerosis programs-many of which will be housed in the Heart Center.
Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Imaging Program
Our Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Imaging Program incorporates state-of-the-art imaging tools such as MRI, CT angiography and 3-D echocardiography to pinpoint diseased vessels and areas of damage after a heart attack. Cardiac valvular functions are accuarately assessed using these modalitities, and some are used effectively to guide percutaneous valve procedures. We also have an active cardiac PET (positron emission tomography) program, which uses advanced nuclear imaging technology to measure blood flow and metabolic activities of the heart.
Electrophysiology Service
The Electrophysiology Service provides treatment for arrhythmias with catheter ablation, using heat introduced to the heart by way of a catheter to burn away and correct small patches of tissue that are causing the irregularity. The service also manages implantable devices, such as biventricular pacers and internal cardiac defibrillators, which have substantially reduced the risk of sudden cardiac death for many patients with arrhythmias, heart failure, and other cardiac conditions.
Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy (CIVT)
The Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy (CIVT) has long been a leader in advancing the treatment of coronary disease and is one of the world's leading tertiary referral centers for complex cardiovascular and endovascular disease. With more than 20 interventional cardiologists and other medical experts in minimally invasive cardiac care, CIVT takes care of the most challenging cases involving complex multivessel disease, technically challenging anatomy, or patients with multiple comorbidities. CIVT's cardiologists play pioneering roles in clinical interventional trials in such areas as revascularization, cardiac stents and percutaneous valves. They are also developing new and improved catheter delivery systems to navigate more complex areas of the coronary system.
The Cardiac Surgery program
The Cardiac Surgery program is among the best in the world, performing over 1,600 open-heart procedures a year. In addition to on- and off-pump coronary bypass surgery (CABG), our cardiothoracic surgeons are recognized for their innovation and skill in valve repair, including combined bypass and valve repair or replacement procedures, for complex and challenging cases. They also provide expertise in the management of acute and chronic aortic problems, including aneurysms, Type A and Type B dissection, and aortic root reconstruction. Our pediatric cardiac surgeons are recognized leaders in congenital heart defects, mechanical circulatory support devices, pediatric heart transplantation, and the Ross procedure for aortic valve failure.
The Surgical Atrial Fibrillation Program
The Surgical Atrial Fibrillation Program offers a variety of surgical solutions to atrial fibrillation, including the Maze procedure, surgical atrial fibrillation ablation, and totally endoscopic beating heart atrial fibrillation ablation.
Cardiac Transplantation Program
Our Cardiac Transplantation Program, with over 25 years of experience, brings together renowned physicians and surgeons in heart failure and transplant. The program has a transplant volume that is among the highest in the country, with our surgeons performing between 70 and 100 heart transplants a year.
The Mechanical Circulatory Support Program
Our physicians have played a major role in the research and development of cardiac assist devices. The Mechanical Circulatory Support Program at NewYork Presbyterian/Columbia, founded in 1990 to advance the use of cardiac assist devices as a bridge-to-transplantation, now also offers assist devices as a destination therapy for patients with end stage heart failure who are not eligible for a transplant. Most recently, surgeons here were active in the development of the HeartMate II (Thoratec), a left ventricular assist device designed to provide as much as a decade of circulatory support, which has recently received FDA approval.
The Minimally Invasive and Robotic Cardiac Surgery Program
In the Minimally Invasive and Robotic Cardiac Surgery Program, patients are surgically treated through smaller incisions, resulting in a faster recovery with less discomfort. Our surgeons are among the most experienced in the country inminimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgeries.
In the first quarter of 2010 the Heart Center will open its doors to the public and will expand the number of operating rooms on the Columbia campus by eight to a total of thirty two. The Heart Center operating rooms will offer a state of the art surgical experience for both patients and surgical staff. Patients will arrive to a registration facility virtually surrounded by glass that offers breath-taking views of the New York City skyline and Hudson River landscape. The eight operating rooms will be fully equipped with the STORZ OR1™ system for minimally invasive surgery; this system fully integrates and streamlines surgical processes in a centrally monitored and controlled fashion.
Many of our most advanced endoscopic and robotic procedures will be performed in these rooms. In order to help fulfill our academic mission, the rooms are also equipped with advanced networking and telecommunication equipment that will allow live surgeries to be televised to conference rooms across the globe. The technologic highlight will be our two Artis zeego multi axis imaging systems that will enhance our ability to perform the most complex angiographic, neuroradiologic, and cardiothoracic procedures. Its unique design utilizes precision-engineered robot technology to optimize the radiographic 3D imaging of anatomy in the often-limited space of an OR. Truly Amazing Things Will Be Happening in the new Heart Center operating rooms!
With the opening of the Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center-complete with a new diagnostic center, twenty new ICU beds, two new cath labs, and eight new operating rooms equipped with the most advanced minimally invasive technologies available-NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center is forging ahead with new breakthroughs in medicine. Within the striking new, six-level, 140,000 square foot facility, connected to the Milstein Hospital Building and the Herbert Irving Pavilion, comprehensive, seamless, and interdisciplinary care is provided for our patients. The thoughtful design behind the Heart Center focuses on comfort, convenience, and safety.
Under the leadership of Allan Schwartz, MD, Chief of Cardiology, and Craig R. Smith, MD, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, our exceptional clinical cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, and cardiothoracic surgeons care for patients with all levels of heart disease, including the highest-risk cases. With the latest technology and equipment available in the world of cardiac care today, the Heart Center enables the physicians and surgeons of NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia to provide patients with access to the most current approaches for diagnosing and treating heart disease. These include:
- Electrophysiology laboratories for the management of complex atrial and ventricular arrhythmias
- Interventional cardiology laboratories where less invasive procedures are performed for the diagnosis
and treatment of coronary artery disease - State-of-the-art non-invasive imaging modalities
- Surgical and non-surgical treatments for heart failure, including heart transplantation
Our physicians continue to advance the field of cardiovascular medicine through research and innovative techniques including:
- Spearheading the international effort to develop and implement cardiac assist devices,
which provide mechanical support to failing hearts - Applying robotic technology to open heart surgery
- Replacing heart valves using a catheter-based approach inpatients who are considered high risk
or ineligible for conventional open-heart valve surgery - 3-D imaging of cardiovascular structures using ultrasound
A View from Within
The Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center features:
Lower Level
A Diagnostic Center on the lower level houses radiology, ultrasound and phlebotomy services, making it easy for patients to have their blood work, EKGs, and radiologic studies completed.
First Floor
On the first floor, patients will be welcomed into a beautiful atrium- an open-air space withmajestic Hudson River views and a comfortable and well-appointed reception area. In addition, a Spacious Education and Conference Center equipped with the latest inmulti-media technology will foster our teachingmission and enhance training available for cardiac specialists.
Second Floor
On the second floor, our interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists performlesser invasive procedures in greatly expanded state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology laboratories.
Third Floor
The third floor is entirely dedicated to Ambulatory Surgery and includes six rooms for ambulatory surgery procedures, two rooms for angiography/fluoroscopic procedures, and a recovery suite with 20 post-procedure recovery beds.
Fourth Floor
On the fourth floor patients can see their physicians in a new cardiology group practice suite.They can also undergo testing, such as echocardiography and vascular ultrasound, in a state-of-the-art non-invasive cardiology suite located on the floor.
Fifth Floor
The fifth floor houses two additional Cardiac Intensive Care Units and links directly to the cardiac inpatient facility in the Milstein Hospital Building, providing a seamless transition between the two units.
