Comprehensive Heart Care
Innovative heart care for our community
At Christian Hospital, we have an established history of providing world-class heart and vascular care to the community. In fact, in 1983, we were the first community hospital to offer heart surgery in the St. Louis area. Thirty-five years later, we’re performing some of the most advanced procedures, including minimally invasive options only available at a handful of hospitals in the country.
Whether you need preventive care, cardiac diagnostics or emergency surgery after a heart attack, we’re here for you. Our team includes Washington University cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons, cardiologists and radiologists, as well as specially trained cardiovascular nurses. Our experienced team has everything you need to keep your heart healthy — right where you live.
Christian Hospital’s heart and vascular experts are an integrated team of specialists with advanced training in a variety of heart conditions. With services that range from medical intervention, traditional surgery and minimally invasive procedures, it’s world-class heart care that’s close to home.
Beyond preventive and rehabilitative heart treatments, we’re also equipped for advanced procedures.
Some of these include transcathether aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), which are performed in our hybrid room, a modern facility that enables advanced cardiac therapies.
What is TAVR?
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, is a minimally invasive procedure to replace the aortic valve of the heart. TAVR is best for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve opening) who are not candidates for traditional open chest surgery or are high-risk.
The first TAVR at Christian Hospital was performed in April 2016. TAVR is performed by threading a new valve, via a catheter, through the groin. A balloon expands the replacement valve inside the damaged valve, allowing it to begin immediate, healthy functions.
In August 2017, Christian Hospital successfully completed its 50th TAVR case. Cardiothoracic surgeon Nabil Munfakh, MD, and interventional cardiologist Saad Bitar, MD, performed the complex procedure in the hybrid room, which combines capabilities of a cardiac cath lab with a surgical operating room.
About the cardiac catheterization lab
If narrowed blood vessels are found or if other diagnostic tests are inconclusive, cardiac catheterization might be necessary to help physicians determine the best course of treatment. Our cardiac catheterization lab operates 24/7, performing diagnostic procedures to find the extent of disease in the vascular system.
Heart attack intervention
If someone you know suffers a heart attack, getting treatment quickly is vitally important. Christian Hospital’s EMS team coordinates directly with our emergency departments to expedite potentially lifesaving care, provided by our world-class heart specialists.
Through our HeartWatch program, a multidisciplinary team of physicians, cardiologists, nurses and technicians are activated to prepare for immediate treatment when a heart attack patient is on the way. Our advanced ambulances are equipped to transmit diagnostic information to one of Christian Hospital’s two emergency departments before a patient arrives allowing for faster care.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a BJC HealthCare cardiologist at Christian Hospital, call 314.747.WELL (9355) or check out our Find A Doctor online tool.
Christian Hospital and Northwest HealthCare, members of BJC HealthCare, provide world-class medical care to the communities of North County, Greater St. Louis County and Southern Illinois.