Under its plan to expand cardiovascular services, Henry Mayo has outfitted the hospital’s catheterization (cath) lab to perform electrophysiology (EP) studies which are used to diagnose and ultimately treat heart arrhythmias, ranging from mild to life threatening. By expanding its cath lab capabilities, Henry Mayo is able to provide patients access to improved treatments for cardiovascular diseases right here in the Santa Clarita Valley. 

One of the most common uses for electrophysiology is the treatment of atrial flutter, which can affect people of all ages, even those who are physically fit. Through EP studies, heart experts can use advanced mapping to perform minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat abnormal heart rhythms. 

Henry Mayo’s specially-trained cardiovascular and electrophysiology team, which is comprised of cardiologists, nurses and electrophysiologists, uses heart mapping and navigational technologies along with medical advances in arrhythmia therapy, the hospital is working to continually improve the programs and outcomes for our patients.

Henry Mayo currently offers diagnostic heart catheterization and pacemaker insertion procedures in our cath lab. Early next year the cardiovascular program will be expanded to include interventions such as percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI’s) which involve angioplasty. We will have the ability to implant stents which are used to prevent a re-closure of the blockage (known as restenosis).  Important for our patients, we will soon have the ability to perform both the diagnostic and intervention catheterization in the same procedure. 

Another important expansion of our cardiovascular services planned for early 2012 is the addition of open heart surgery. The recently completed state-of-the-art OR expansion was designed to accommodate those procedures.