Internationally reputed state-of-the-art cardiovascular research is at the heart of our practice. Services include:

Invasive and Interventional Cardiology

To ensure quality patient care, we operate our own cardiac catheterization General Electric laboratories for cardiac and vascular interventions in an outpatient setting at the following locations:

ü Mesa General Hospital – our Outpatient Treatment Center (OTC) with three cardiovascular catheterization laboratories, featuring highly advanced bi-plane technology

ü Phoenix St. Luke’s Medical Center - features bi-plane technology

ü Apache Junction office – Diagnostic Outpatient Treatment Center

ü Tempe St. Luke’s Medical Center – Diagnostic Outpatient Treatment Center catheterization lab.

Innovations and Leading-edge Research in Cardiac & Vascular Care. This includes:

Atrial Fibrillation: LAA (Left Atrial Appendage) occlusion device versus Coumadin therapy. The LAA occluder device is being used in FDA-monitored clinical trials in select sites across the country. Advanced Cardiac Specialists was the first research site for this device in Arizona and one of six in the southwestern U.S. (This device is available only as a research/investigational device and is not availed routinely at other Cardiology clinics or hospitals.)

Evaluation of newer Drug-eluting Stents

Non-surgical PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale) closure, using Amplatzer device, to prevent unexplained strokes

Use of ICE (Intracardiac Echo) in the cath lab during non-surgical PFO/ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) closures

Carotid Stenting with embolic protection

Biventricular/Multisite Pacing in the treatment of Heart Failure: Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy using A-V & V-V synchrony

Early Endovascular treatment of AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm)

GORE TAGä device, a "minimally invasive" alternative to open surgery, for thoracic aortic aneurysms

3-Dimensional Electrophysiology Mapping System for diagnosis and treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders, including ablation of atrial fibrillation

VO2 max testing.

Additional Innovations in Heart Care:

Pacemaker lead extraction using laser technology to remove old pacemaker leads. Such "chronic" leads that have become embedded in scar tissue, can adversely affect heart function and remain in the heart like "space junk".

Transradial approach in cardiac catheterization procedures

Non-invasive Cardiology with nuclear cardiology and digital ultrasound that is ICAEL-accredited for all modalities of adult cardiac testing:

ü Digital ultrasound facilities for on-site testing in all modalities of adult cardiac and vascular testing. These include:

o Echocardiography

o Stress testing – exercise, pharmacological, Doppler stress, and stress testing with myocardial perfusion imaging (ultrasound)

o Multiplane Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) (accredited at Gilbert/Mesa, Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, Mesa and Phoenix locations

o Carotid duplex scans

o Peripheral arterial and venous imaging of extremities

o Imaging of the thoracic aorta and great vessels

o Renal artery and abdominal aorta imaging

o Imaging for vein reflux disease

o Transcranial Doppler imaging.

ü Nuclear Myocardial Perfusion Scans and MUGA scans at our Apache Junction and Gilbert/Mesa offices.

Cardiac Electrophysiology

Heart Rhythm Disorders services include:

Evaluation and management of cardiac arrhythmias

Diagnostic cardiac electrophysiology

Radiofrequency ablation of supraventricular arrhythmias

Radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation

Implantation of Automatic Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators (AICD)

Implantation of dual-chamber pacemakers

Implantation and optimization of biventricular pacemaker/defibrillator in heart failure

Implantable loop monitors

Tilt-table testing

Holter monitoring

Pacemaker clinics

3-Dimensional electrophysiology mapping system for ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Vascular Surgery through our Advanced Vein & Vascular Institute

All aspects of Vascular Surgery are provided including consultations, diagnostic testing and interventional treatment:

Consultations for both arterial and venous diseases

Simple and complex vascular diagnostics

Complex operative procedures including: carotid endarterectomy, carotid angioplasty and stenting, open aortic aneurysm repair, peripheral bypass surgery and arteriovenous access for hemodialysis

Endovascular (stent graft) repair of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms

Peripheral angioplasty and stenting in lieu of conventional peripheral bypass surgery when applicable

Total vein care including VNUS Closuresâ , phlebectomy, sclerotherapy, and treatment of spider veins.

General Surgery

All aspects of general surgery are provided including consultations, diagnostic testing and treatment. Services include:

Incision & Drainage

Gall bladder surgery – laparoscopic and abdominal

Appendectomy, etc.

24/7 Hospitalist Services at Mesa General Hospital

Patients may be referred to our Hospitalist Service at Mesa General Hospital. They receive quality care during their hospitalization and are referred back to their physician when they are discharged from the hospital. All hospitalists are Advanced Cardiac Specialists physicians and interact with multiple sub-specialty physicians to provide "seamless" in-hospital patient care.

Urology at Gilbert/Mesa and Globe locations

Office procedures include:

Cystoscopy

Prostate biopsy

Vasectomy

Transurethral microwave therapy in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).

Additional Specialized Cardiovascular Services through our Research Program and Gilbert/Mesa Heart Failure Clinic include:

Heart transplant work-ups and referrals to TMC Tucson and Mayo Clinic Scottsdale.

EECP (Enhanced External Counterpulsation) – for refractory Congestive Heart Failure and refractory angina at our Apache Junction and Gilbert/Mesa offices

Indications for EECP:

- Patients with NYHA Class III – IV angina maximized medical therapy

- Not a candidate for mechanical revascularization by CABG or PCI.

Outpatient Natrecor infusions for eligible Heart Failure patients at our Gilbert/Mesa and Apache Junction locations.

64-Slice CT Scanner 

In addition to calcium scoring and virtual colonoscopies, this test assists in diagnosis of a vast array of anatomical areas including abdomen, spine, head, and chest with detailed imaging of the heart:

Cardiac and coronary vessel analysis

Coronary artery calcification scoring

Angiography studies

Stroke assessment

Pulmonary emboli

Inner ear ailments

Spinal injuries

Abdominal studies

Kidney exams

Liver exams

Lung exams.

Additional Specialized Services include:

Pre-operative Risk Stratification and Clearance for non-cardiac surgery

Acupuncture at our Gilbert/Mesa office

Pacemaker/ICD (Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator) Clinic at Apache Junction, Casa Grande, Gilbert/Mesa, Gold Canyon, Goodyear, Mesa, and Phoenix locations

Cardiac Risk Stratification and Risk Factor Modification

Coumadin Clinics – statewide Coumadin Clinics, at select locations, that allow finger-prick testing and immediate test results

Hypertension/diabetes treatment

Cardiac rehabilitation

Phase I (in-hospital), II and III

PFTs (Pulmonary Function Testing) at Gilbert/Mesa and Apache Junction offices

o To help diagnose suspected lung conditions or diseases such as asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis

o To assess side-effect of medications (e.g., amiodarone)

o To determine effectiveness of medication given for a known lung condition

o To evaluate a patient’s pulmonary status before surgery.

Bone DEXA Scan (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) at Apache Junction and Gilbert/Mesa offices

o Osteoporosis is preventable and treatable in most diagnosed cases

o By measuring bone density, this test is currently the most reliable means of assessing bone strength and predicting risk of fracture

o The test is used to monitor the effects of treatment.

Tilt Table Testing at Apache Junction, Gilbert/Mesa, Goodyear, Phoenix and Prescott offices (supervised by qualified Electrophysiologist)

o For the evaluation of syncope in patients in whom the diagnosis of vasovagal or neurocardiogenic syncope is entertained.

MTWA (Microvolt T-wave Alternans) Test, for early detection of patients at risk for Sudden Cardiac Death requiring automatic implanted defibrillator, at our Gilbert/Mesa office

o "At-risk" patients, who test MTWA-negative, will likely live event-free for 12 to 24 months after their initial test

o Highest risk patients MTWA-positive should be referred for Electrophysiology consult +/- ICD implantation

o The test is FDA and Medicare-approved for its ability to predict ventricular tachyarrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death.

X-ray

Botox.

 

If your Pro-time is not within range, we may need to schedule an appointment with your physician. Otherwise, we will schedule a Coumadin Clinic appointment for you. (You will need to see one of our physicians once a year to participate in the Coumadin Clinic.)

If you are a patient and would like a flu shot, we will take your name and number to call you, when the vaccine is available, to schedule an appointment for our Flu Shot Clinic.

If you are having surgery, especially elective surgery, please notify us at least a month in advance so we have the time necessary to arrange for any surgical clearances or testing that is required. (An appointment as well as testing may be needed.)