Technology and Your Heart

People with a weak heart muscle or certain types of blockages, as well as those who are having a heart attack or are in cardiogenic shock, can greatly benefit from the assistance of a heart pump. The tiny Impella pump is implanted during high-risk, lifesaving procedures to help maintain blood flow.

The minimally invasive Impella device is usually removed within days, once your heart begins to heal. Patients who receive Impella show improved survival rates and better heart recovery.

AdventHealth was one of the first hospitals in the country to perform a mitral valve clip with the innovative technology available through the MitraClip® procedure. That was more than 6 years ago, and we’ve used that time to refine and perfect our process — and we’ll never stop looking for opportunities to improve.

MitraClip is an innovative, minimally invasive treatment approach to mitral valve regurgitation. As an alternative to open-heart surgery, you’ll likely experience less pain, less scarring and a faster recovery. At AdventHealth, we perform more MitraClip procedures than any other hospital in Florida, giving you confidence in the extraordinary care available close to home.

We specialize in transcatheter aortic valve replacement — and were one of the first in the country to perform it. Today, those who aren’t good candidates for open-heart surgery can utilize our experienced surgeons who perform more TAVR procedures than any other hospital in Florida.

If you suffer from heart failure, the Heartmate III may help you breathe easier. This innovative left ventricular assist device (LVAD) helps pump blood through your body, which ultimately helps increase the flow of oxygen to your organs. We’re honored to be one of the top 10 locations in the country for the Heartmate III trial in 2016, which has translated to improved experience and understanding for you.

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) are at higher risk of developing blood clots and experiencing a stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AFib causes about 1 in 7 strokes.

But now, the minimally invasive Watchman device can help reduce that risk. The Watchman is placed in the left atrial appendage (a small, ear-shaped sac in the left atrium muscle wall) through a vein in your leg. The left atrial appendage is the source of 90% of stroke-causing blood clots. It is designed to keep harmful blood clots from entering the bloodstream, which could lead to a stroke.

This proven alternative to long-term Warfarin therapy helps patients avoid the risks of blood thinners, including heavy bleeding, medication interactions and frequent blood tests.

Your doctor can discuss if the Watchman is an appropriate treatment plan for your AFib.

This next generation of innovation, the WATCHMAN FLX™, now expands to fit a wider range of patient valves, benefiting even more AFib patients. WATCHMAN FLX is a permanent implant that closes off a part of the heart where blood clots most commonly form and can cause strokes.

This device effectively lowers the risk of bleeding associated with the long-term use of blood thinners. The procedure is completed within an hour and patients commonly stay in the hospital overnight and leave the next day. The latest Watchman FLX device allows us to offer this treatment more effectively and safely to more patients than ever before.

Three out of four of my most recent patients would not have been candidates for this procedure with the original technology so we’re excited to expand care to ensure everyone who needs the treatment receive it. This updated device allows us to safely provide AFiB patients with exceptional stroke prevention. We are always happy to provide our patients with effective treatment options that help our patients regain a higher quality of life without the use of long-term medication.

Nearly 6 million people in the U.S. are estimated to be affected by atrial fibrillation. People with AFib have a five times greater risk of stroke than those with normal heart rhythms.