The Cardiac Center is an academic setting, with cardiologists teaching future cardiologists and constantly keeping abreast of current research and treatments. For patients, this translates into the advantages of immediate second opinions and educational conferences at which patient conditions are confidentially discussed in the presence of cardiologists who are encouraged to share their thoughts regarding treatment plans.

The Cardiac Center of Creighton University has a 60,000 square foot outpatient facility located just west of Creighton University Medical Center . The center's outpatient services include physician evaluation and management, patient education about disease processes and medications, electrocardiography, phlebotomy and specimen collection, x-ray, exercise testing, echocardiography (including transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), carotid and peripheral vascular ultrasound, Holter and event recorder monitoring, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) and pacemaker management, tilt table testing, cardiac catheterization, therapeutic monitoring, risk reduction, congestive heart failure management and weight management clinics. The Cardiac Center's inpatient services include all of the above as well as exercise testing, electrophysiology testing, ablation, balloon angioplasty, coronary stent placement, atherectomy and rotoblader. In addition to the on-site services, the Cardiac Center has satellite offices in Columbus, NE and another Omaha location.

Creighton University Medical Center's cardiac team includes cardiologists, cardiology fellows (internal medicine physicians in a three-year training program to become cardiologists), registered nurses, pharmacists, exercise specialists, nutritionists, cardiac sonographers and technicians. In addition, the hospital employs three eletrophysiologists -- cardiologists who specialize in the management of heart rhythm disorders and congestive heart failure.

The Cardiac Center was one of the first facilities in Omaha:

• To do radial heart catheterizations and interventions (balloon angioplasty and stents). This procedure involves passing the catheter through an artery in the wrist instead of an artery in the groin. Patients may be able to sit up in bed and/or walk immediately after the procedure rather than lying flat for several hours.
• To implant a single device which contained both a pacemaker and defibrillator instead of two separate devices.
• To insert stents in coronary arteries.
• To utilize a computer assisted arrhythmia monitoring system.
• To introduce new pharmacological (drug) based methods of diagnosis and treatment.

The Cardiac Center is continuously involved in both pharmaceutical and device clinical trials, making some of the latest advances available to patients when traditional care is not successful. Trials are for diseases such as congestive heart failure, hypertension, heart attack, coronary artery disease and others.

Medical research and technological advances have resulted in more cardiac patients being treated on an outpatient basis. For example, patients with congestive heart failure may be treated with intravenous diuretics in the office setting at the first sign of heart failure, possibly avoiding hospitalization. Similarly, while patients were hospitalized 10 years ago for heart catheterization or transesophageal echocardiography, today's patients may have these procedures on an outpatient basis.

The cardiovascular rehabilitation facility features an elevated walking/jogging track and a large, monitored exercise area. Prevention services include nutrition education, stress management, cooking classes, weight management, smoking cessation and exercise.

For more information on Cardiac Center services, call (402) 280-4566.