0ne outstanding strength of the MedCath system is the benefit of sister hospitals. Two particular heart hospitals have been working together to further their knowledge of ongoing advances in technology. Arizona Heart Hospital and the Heart Hospital of Austin have seen proven success with the implementation of the new ELGTM (Endoluminal Graft) procedure.
On March 21, 2000 Dr. John Politz, vascular surgeon at the Heart Hospital of Austin, implanted Austin's first Endoluminal Graft for aneurysm exclusion. The ELG is a new technology available for the exclusion of some abdominal aortic aneurysms. This was the first procedure of its kind done in Austin. Dr. Politz credits Dr. Edward B. Diethrich, his staff, and the training he received at the Arizona Heart Hospital for the success of the program.
(L to R) Lonnie Bonilla, CVT; Allan Wong, Surgery Technician; Dr. John Politz, Vascular Surgeon; Dr. Robert Bridges, Vascular Surgeon; Dr. Greg Karnaze, Vascular Intervention Radiologist.
The new procedure involves deployment of the Endoluminal Graft to exclude the aneurysm using only catheters and wires under fleuroscopy. This requires only small incisions in the groin rather than a large abdominal incision.
Dr. Politz is a member of Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeons (CTVS) in Austin. He is one of seven Vascular surgeons in this 19 Cardiothoriacic and Vascular surgery group. Together they provide cardiac and vascular surgery services to over 18 counties in central Texas. To be credentialed to provide this new technology, interested specialists need advanced training and hands-on experience, "It was natural to look to Dr. Diethrich and the Arizona Heart Institute for the training given their tremendous volume and experience" Dr. Politz states.
Dr. Diethrich is world renowned for his experience in endovascular surgery. He is one of the world's pioneers in non-invasive treatment of heart and blood vessel disease using endoluminal modalities. In 1971, Dr. Diethrich founded the Arizona Heart Institute (AHI), the nation's first freestanding outpatient clinic devoted solely to the diagnosis and treatment of heart and blood vessel diseases. He established the nation's first outpatient cardiac catheterization laboratory at AHI. Dr. Diethrich is medical director and surgery-in-chief of the Arizona Heart Institute and Hospital. Early in his career he developed the sternal saw, used routinely for open chest surgery.
First ELG Procedure at the Heart Hospital of Austin. (L to R) Alan Wong,
Surgery Technician; Dr. John Politz, Vascular Surgeon; Dr. Mark Goldstein, Cardiovascular Anesthesiologist; Dr. Greg Karnaze, Vascular Intervention Radiologist
Dr. Politz attended two physician training programs at the Arizona Heart Hospital, one four-day combination hands on and didactic course, the second a five-week endovascular fellowship that offered extensive experience in endovascular procedures including the Endoluminal Graft for aneurysm exclusion.
"There are few centers in the country where physicians can get that kind of experience," states Dr. Politz. "Having the relationship with a sister Heart Hospital (Arizona Heart Hospital) has been extremely beneficial. Any physician can get into trouble performing ELGs, but only an expert can get out of trouble. That is part of what Dr. Diethrich teaches."
Austin Heart Hospital is only the second MedCath hospital to do the ELG procedure with Arizona Heart Hospital being the first.
