February 2019: You’ve Gotta Have Heart

February 2019 • Volume 12, No. 2

From the Editor

February is American Heart Month, sponsored by the American Heart Association and even recognized by U.S. Code. It’s probably the easiest health observance month to remember because the heart symbol is ubiquitous around Valentine’s Day.

In 1963, when the observance was first proclaimed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, more than half the deaths in the U.S. were caused by cardiovascular disease. These days, one in every four deaths is due to heart disease, which is an improvement—no doubt partly because of more widespread awareness of the dangers of smoking and sodium intake and the benefits of exercise and healthy eating.

But heart disease is still the leading cause of death for both men and women. Since even small changes in diet and exercise can improve our heart health and lower our risk, let’s take this annual reminder to heart.

For our surgical topic, we bring you Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery. One procedure is known as MICS CABG (Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery/Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) (pronounced “mix cabbage”) or The McGinn Technique. This is a beating-heart procedure performed through several small incisions instead of traditional open-heart surgery that requires cutting through the sternum. The procedure results in less blood loss, reduced post-op discomfort, lowered risk of infection and faster healing times. It may be used in cases of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD); aortic, mitral or tricuspid valve diseases; or previous unsuccessful stenting.

Another minimally invasive procedure is Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), in which a new valve is delivered via a catheter moved through a blood vessel and expanded on top of the diseased valve, in contrast to the more traditional open-heart Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR) process. 

Scroll down for news about valve replacement and videos on minimally invasive cardiac procedures. We also bring you a cardiac crossword puzzle to test your familiarity with terms and procedures.

Our Student in the Spotlight is Sue Matich, CPNP Acute & Primary Care, of Glendale, CA.

And of course you will find jobs we’ve collected for you, along with NIFA’s favorite links.

Enjoy!

 

Julie Lancaster, Editor