Columbus Regional Health's Heart & Vascular Center is the area's only hospital to offer comprehensive heart care services including heart surgery, cardiac intervention and catheterization, electrophysiology, vein treatment and cardiac rehabilitation.
Having advanced cardiac care available in our community makes it easier on heart care patients and families. It's also important in cardiac emergencies when every minute counts. As part of the clinical affiliation with the IU Health Cardiovascular team Columbus Regional Health is the only hospital in the area equipped to perform heart surgery and non-surgical intervention 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Heart & Vascular Center welcomes Dr. Sorin Pusca, Lead Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Columbus Regional Health. Dr. Pusca is part of the Indiana University Health Cardiovascular team and specializes in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.
A specialized cardiac intensive care unit for those who require hospitalization is offered at The Heart & Vascular Center; two state-of-the-art cardiac operating rooms; three cardiac catheterization labs, including the first all digital cardiac catheterization lab in Indiana; and an electrophysiology laboratory.
Cardiac Care
In addition to heart surgery, The Heart & Vascular Center provides emergency heart care and non-invasive testing, such as EKG, Holter monitoring, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology stress testing and vascular screening, along with cardiac catheterization and cardiac rehabilitation. The center offers interventional cardiology procedures such as angioplasty and stenting, as well as the implantation of pacemakers and defibrillators, electrophysiology studies and ablation.
The Heart Failure Clinic
At the Heart Failure Clinic, specially trained nurses, dietitians, social workers, pharmacists, and doctors help congestive heart failure patients through monitoring and education.
Columbus Regional Health’s Heart & Vascular Center has been designated as an Accredited Heart Failure Center by The Healthcare Accreditation Colloquium (THAC), a nationally recognized organization dedicated to improving care and survival rates for heart failure patients.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Services
Comprehensive heart care at the Heart & Vascular Center includes cardiac rehabilitation. Our extensive cardiac rehabilitation program is provided by trained nurses and exercise physiologists who are certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). Our cardiac rehabilitation program uses education, exercise and nutrition to improve cardiovascular fitness.
Vein Treatment
The Heart & Vascular Center offers minimally invasive laser vein treatment for those suffering from venous insufficiency. Laser vein treatment is an advanced procedure that is provided by a trained physician and typically lasts approximately 45 minutes to one hour.
What do heart experts do?
There are many kinds of doctors who specialize in the medical care and treatment of the heart. If you or a loved one is facing a cardiac problem, you may be treated by one or more of the following doctors:
General Cardiologist:
A physician who has special training and experience in diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Treatment by a cardiologist typically involves medication and lifestyle changes. If a procedure or surgery is necessary, a general cardiologist will refer the patient to a specialist and serve as a consultant on the cardiovascular team.
Interventional Cardiologist:
Specialized cardiologist who evaluates and treats heart problems without opening the chest. These doctors use catheter-based techniques to perform tests and procedures. This involves the use of tiny instruments and cameras that are guided to the heart through catheters inserted via small incisions.
Electrophysiologist:
A cardiologist who has extra training and experience in diagnosing and treating abnormal heart rhythms, also called arrhythmias. An electrophysiologist may use different types of testing to study the heart's electrical system and identify these dangerous arrhythmias, which may be treated with surgery, pacemakers or implantable defibrillators.
Cardiothoracic / Cardiovascular Surgeon:
Specializing in surgery of the heart and lungs. A cardiovascular surgeon also performs surgery, but focuses only on the heart and its major vessels. Common problems treated by a cardiothoracic or cardiovascular surgeon include coronary artery disease, blockages in one of the heart valves, leaking heart valves and more.