MD Insider provides a unique inside look into medical conditions and treatments to uncover ground-breaking advances that are truly transforming healthcare. The series features insight from acclaimed cardiologist, Dean Kereiakes, MD, breaking down exciting innovations and treatments available right here in the Tristate.
In this episode, Dr. Kereiakes and host Clyde Gray are joined by Jarrod Frizzell, MD, Medical Director of the complex coronary therapeutics and CTO program, and Timothy Henry, MD, Medical Director of the Carl and Edyth Lindner Center for Research and Education.
Clyde: Hello, and welcome to MD Insider. Coronary artery disease affects 18 million Americans and 1-in-5 have a completely blocked artery, called a chronic total occlusion—or CTO. The Christ Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute is recognized for its world-class heart programs and with me today are Dr. Dean Kereiakes, President of The Christ Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute, Dr. Jarrod Frizzell, Medical Director of the complex coronary therapeutics and CTO program, and Dr. Timothy Henry, Medical Director of the Carl and Edyth Lindner Center for Research and Education. Dr. Kereiakes, tell us what The Christ Hospital offers patients with chest pain.
Dr. Kereiakes: Thank you, Clyde. Our complex coronary therapeutics and CTO program offers exceptional care, leading-edge research, and a level of expertise found at only a handful of centers in the country. CTOs are the number one reason patients are referred for open heart bypass surgery—rather than a less invasive angioplasty procedure with a coronary stent. A second opinion is critical for any CTO patient who was told they have limited treatment options, or that their only choice is open heart surgery. Dr. Jarrod Frizzell has built our complex coronary therapeutics and CTO program into one of the very best in the country and will tell us more.
Dr. Frizzell: When a CTO blocks blood flow to the heart muscle, it often results in chest pain. With a minimally invasive catheter procedure, we can successfully unblock the artery and restore blood flow to relieve the pain and restore a patient’s quality of life—without open heart surgery. We have the best technology and the greatest expertise in the state and our success rate for opening totally blocked arteries is about 90%. For patients beyond catheter repair, our world-class refractory angina team also offers treatment without open-heart surgery. Dr. Timothy Henry, a pioneer in this field, will tell us about these exciting treatment options.
Dr. Henry: We are experts in the care of patients with ongoing chest pain, despite medication stents, and bypass. We provide unique treatments, including new medications, gene therapy, and stem cell therapy. We are the national leader of a novel implantable device, called a coronary sinus reducer, effective for patients who have no conventional options. And we are the largest center in the United States performing coronary reactivity testing to diagnose microvascular disease—a blockage in the small vessels of the heart present in about 30% of patients with chest pain, most of whom are women. Our goal is to provide unique options for patients with ongoing chest pain or shortness of breath.
If you or a family member suffer from chest pain, call The Christ Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute to see what treatment options are right for you. To find out more, please call 513-935-3060, or visit TheChristHospital.com/second-opinion.