Cardiology Services
College Station Medical Center is committed to offering high quality cardiac care with advanced technology and a team of experienced cardiologists, nurses and technicians.
A heart attack (also called an acute myocardial infarction) happens when the arteries leading to the heart become blocked and the blood supply is slowed or stopped. When the heart muscle can’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs, the part of the heart tissue that is affected may die. A severe heart attack called ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is caused by a prolonged period of blocked blood supply that affects a large area of the heart. These attacks carry a substantial risk of death and disability and call for a quick response by many individuals. The preferred means of treating a STEMI heart attack patient is called a PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention). The PCI procedures open blocked vessels and help prevent further damage to the heart. It can increase a patient’s chance of surviving a heart attack. The earlier the PCI is performed, the more effective it is in improving patient outcomes. Heart attack patients who receive a PCI within 90 minutes of their arrival to the hospital substantially increase the patient’s chance of survival. The earlier PCI is performed, the more effective it is in improving patient outcomes.
The national standard for PCI time is 90 minutes. At College Station Medical Center, PCI median time is 52 minutes. The CSMC Cath Lab, Emergency Room, Cardiologists and ER physicians have been instrumental in making College Station Medical Center’s PCI time less than an hour. We are very proud of our employee’s dedication and their hard work to provide such good care for our patients.
What does all of this mean to you? In the event of a heart attack, College Station Medical Center is standing by with advanced technology and a knowledgeable staff.
Cardiac Catheterization Procedures
A cardiac catheterization determines if you have coronary artery disease and pinpoints where plaque (fat and calcium deposits) may be located. In cardiac catheterization (often abbreviated as "cath"), a very small catheter (hollow tube) is advanced from an artery or vein in the groin through the aorta into the heart.
Cardiac Scans
Our 64-slice CT scanner uses advanced imaging technology to help doctors diagnose cardiac disease and determine which patients require additional medical intervention.
Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) is a noninvasive diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called slices), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than standard x-rays.