UW Medicine Regional Heart Center (RHC) is a multidisciplinary source of care and treatment of heart disease.

Specialty programs

Cardiovascular diseases

Acute coronary syndromes
Around-the-clock angiography, angioplasty, and mechanical hemodynamic support are available for acute coronary syndromes, which includes:

• A team approach with invasive cardiologists
• Medical heart failure services
• Aggressive therapy with conventional heart failure medications
• Electrophysiology evaluation
• Bivertricular pacing for congestive heart failure
• New heart failure drug trials
• Evaluation for cardiac transplantation and post-transplant care.

Arrhythmia services
In our full, newly remodeled state-of-the-art electrophysiology lab and arrhythmia operating suites, patients may receive:

• Implantation and monitoring of pacemakers and internal defibrillators
• Radiofrequency catheter ablation
• Holter/event monitors
• Laser pacemaker lead extraction.

Diagnostic and invasive cardiac services
The RHC has several catheterization labs where our technicians use state-of-the-art digital imaging equipment for:

• Chest pain evaluation
• Percutaneous coronary intervention (PTCA/stenting/atherectomy/radiation therapy)
• Valvuloplasty
• Intravascular ultrasound
• Intravascular coronary flow measures
• Alcohol septal ablation for IHSS
• Percutaneous closure of PFO and ASD and
• Intracoronary brachytherapy for coronary restenosis.

Cardiology consultation
At the request of your primary care physician, cardiology consultations include:

• Chest pain evaluation
• Second opinions
• Exercise testing with stress echocardiography and nuclear imaging
• Cardiac ultrasound imaging

Consultation is also provided for :

• Advanced heart failure and
• Adult congenital heart disease.

Cardiothoracic anesthesia
Major heart surgery involves being put under general anesthesia. The anesthesiologists at the RHC are some of the best in the world. With your care at the Heart Center comes:

• Advanced monitoring equipment
• Coagulation management with thromboelastography
• Early extubation protocols
• Routine use of transesophageal echocardiography.

Heart failure
According to the American Heart Association, heart failure means that the heart isn’t pumping as well as it should be. When the body's cells are nourished properly, the body can function normally. With heart failure, the weakened heart can’t supply the cells with enough blood. This results in fatigue and shortness of breath. Everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or carrying groceries can become very difficult.

Heart failure is a serious condition, and there’s usually no cure. But many people with heart failure lead a full, enjoyable life when the condition is managed with medications and healthy lifestyle changes. It’s also helpful to have the support of family and friends who understand your condition.