Coronary Artery Disease & Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition that involves the narrowing or blocking of the coronary arteries. When fatty substances and calcium, called plaque, build up in the coronary arteries the flow rate of blood to the heart muscle starts to slow down, and coronary artery disease begins. If this build up continues, blood flow to the heart muscle is severely decreased, and less oxygen is brought to the heart. This lack of oxygen to the heart muscle may cause chest pain (angina pectoris). A heart attack (myocardial infarction) may occur if the blood flow is completely blocked by a blood clot in the narrowed artery.

Screenings

Diagnosis

Speed is critical when chest pain strikes. Rapid diagnosis and treatment significantly reduce the onset of life-threatening cardiac events and heart attacks. Long Beach Memorial and Saddleback Memorial emergency departments are one of only a few designated cardiac receiving centers in Los Angeles and Orange County. Our 24-hour chest pain centers located in our emergency departments were developed with rapid response in mind. MemorialCare's highly trained cardiac nurses treat patients with chest pain as soon as they arrive. Patients with chest pain typically receive EKGs within five minutes after they arrive at our emergency rooms.

• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Coronary Angiography
• Cardiac Nuclear Study
• Computed Tomography (CT Scan)
• Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound
• Stress Test

Treatments

Lifestyle Changes

• If you smoke, quit.
• Regular exercise.
• Control high cholesterol.
• Control high blood pressure.
• Control diabetes.
• Limit alcohol use.

Minimally Invasive Interventions
MemorialCare's cardiovascular catheterization laboratories are open 24-hours-a-day and staffed with expert cardiologists to provide immediate treatments in state-of-the-art facilities. Patients with heart attacks are taken to the cardiovascular catheterization laboratory—normally within 90 minutes—for treatments to re-establish blood flow in blocked cardiac vessels. Rapid response and innovative treatments minimize cardiac damage, ensuring the best possible outcome.

• Coronary Angioplasty & Stenting

Robotic Assisted Heart Surgery
We provide breakthrough minimally invasive surgical capabilities utilizing robotic computer technology.

• Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive Direct CAB (MIDCAB) Surgery

Surgery
When angioplasty and other noninvasive methods of clearing blocked arteries are no longer an option, or if multiple vessels are blocked, a heart care physician may recommend surgery as the best course for treatment.

• Coronary Artery Bypass (CABG) Surgery
• Beating Heart CABG (BHCABG) / Off-Pump CABG (OPCAB) Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Direct CAB (MIDCAB) Surgery

Noninvasive Therapy
External cardiac counterpulsation is a noninvasive technique ideal for those who are considered inoperable or who are at high risk for complications from more invasive treatments.

• External Cardiac Counterpulsation

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Following minimally invasive interventions or surgery, cardiac rehabilitation is provided in stages, to help reduce risk for future heart problems and to make the recovery process quick.

Research

Our heart research program involves studies for the future treatment of coronary artery disease.