Cardiology at Swedish Medical Center

Award-winning cardiac care in Denver, CO

Swedish Medical Center offers comprehensive cardiovascular services from general cardiology to the latest minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery. Swedish is dedicated to providing the very best technology and techniques better serve patients with advanced cardiac specialties such as structural heart, electrophysiology, peripheral vascular disease, vascular surgery, pulmonary hypertension, and the only cardiothoracic robot-assisted surgical program in Colorado.

With all this, it’s easy to see why Swedish is a leading cardiac referral center for the Rocky Mountain region.

If you or a loved one is experiencing chest pain, call 911.

Our cardiovascular program has received several notable accolades for our commitment to excellence, including:

• The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) distinguished three-star rating for patient care and outcomes in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure
• American Heart Association (AHA) recognition for our commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients, improving the survival and care of our ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients
• Get with the Guidelines® recognition from the AHA for providing excellent care for heart failure
• Joint Commission certification in coronary artery disease, open heart surgeries (such as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)) and heart failure

Heart related conditions we treat

The Heart Center provides care for:

Our low-risk chest pain program

If a patient is experiencing unexplained chest pain, they are typically admitted to the ER. Upon admission, there is observation, monitoring and a stress test—a process taking 18 to 24 hours to complete, including an overnight stay in the hospital. At Swedish, our progressive process can be completed in only eight hours and does not require you to leave the ED. Our program is only used when initial assessment tests rule out that a heart attack is causing a patient’s chest pain and/or other symptoms.

We know that chest pain and the symptoms of discomfort can cause high anxiety for our patients. Symptoms can be hard to diagnose without a series of tests. Our nurse practitioners (NP) see patients and use a holistic approach to determine if the symptoms indicate cardiac stress of any kind. Chest pain NPs have increased availability with expanded hours, covering both the main campus and the Southwest ER in Littleton. NPs at Swedish are on campus more hours (7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) than any other facility in the city.

Coronary Calcium Score Screening

Coronary calcium score screening is a painless, non-invasive test that can help identify if you have or might be developing coronary artery disease (CAD). This simple CT scan can help determine the health of your heart, even before symptoms develop. Images from the scan reveal details of the heart and its vessels that a conventional X-ray cannot. If you are at risk for developing CAD, coronary calcium CT screening can help you and your doctor be proactive about your heart health. Those at the high risk have:

• High blood cholesterol levels
• Family history of heart disease
• Excess weight
• Sedentary lifestyle
• History of smoking cigarettes or are currently smoking
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure

Many insurance companies cover the cost of a Coronary Calcium CT Scan. Talk to your insurance provider for details. Self-pay options are available for less than $200.

Call 844-801-9319 to learn more and to schedule this important screening.

Cardio-Oncology

While cancer treatments can be lifesaving, they often negatively affect the heart and vascular system. Many times, while patients are reeling from a difficult diagnosis and trying to manage treatment side-effects, heart issues present. In the past, patients have coordinated their own heart care while having to put their oncology care on hold. However, at Swedish Medical Center, we take a proactive and coordinated approach to cardio-oncology. As part of our comprehensive oncology and heart and vascular programs, we help coordinate cardio-oncology care.

Our program includes:

• Assessment of cardiovascular risk
• Identifying treatments that have cardiovascular risk
• Follow patient to prevent and manage continued cardiovascular treatment and cardiac issues
• Co-managing patients with oncology and primary care
• Pre-operative evaluation of oncology patients
• Manage patients that have survived cancer long-term, managing cardiovascular health

Learn more about the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at Swedish Medical Center

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Our surgeons are experts in treating heart and vascular conditions with minimally invasive techniques, including robot-assisted surgery. These techniques often allow patients to recover more quickly, as there is reduced blood loss and lessened trauma to the body. We offer a full range of surgeries, including:

• Aortic Valve Replacement
• Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
• Mitral Valve Repair
• Open Heart Surgery

Learn more about heart and vascular surgery

Robotic-Assisted Cardiac Surgery

When it comes to the heart and lungs, precision counts. That’s why the team at Swedish Medical Center’s Surgical Robotics Institute is dedicated to offering the most cutting-edge procedures.

Swedish Medical Center is the only hospital in the region offering this comprehensive range of complex cardiothoracic surgeries with the aid of a surgical robot.

Procedures offered with the assistance of the surgical robot include:

• Mitral Valve Repair & Replacement
• Maze Procedure
• Tricuspid Valve Repair & Replacement
• Left Atrial Myxoma
• Lobectomy
• Mediastinal Masses (Chest Tumor)
• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

Learn more about our Surgical Robotics Institute

Cardiac catheterization lab

In our cardiac catheterization lab, we offer heart screening, cardiac caths and electrophysiology (EP) procedures. Electrophysiology procedures or studies, like angiograms, are performed to examine the electrical system of your heart. Our outpatient cath lab team provides excellent care and takes pride in superior cardiac skills. Outpatient procedures generally do not require an overnight stay at the hospital.

To learn more about our outpatient cath lab services, call (303) 788-4130.

Cath lab procedures

Diagnostic procedures

• 3D mapping
• Heart biopsy
• Intra-vascular ultrasound
• Nitric oxide study for pulmonary hypertension
• Peripheral angiogram
• Pressure wire
• Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)

Learn more about heart screening and imaging

Coronary intervention

• Bare metal
• Biventricular leads
• Nationally recognized Cardiac Alert^® program
• Cardioversion
• Cutting balloon
• Drug-eluting stents
• High-risk coronary stenting with advanced therapies (Impella)
• Implantable defibrillator
• Pacemaker
• Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)/stents
• Rotablator
• Tilt table

Peripheral intervention

• Renal PTCA/stent
• Peripheral PTCA/stent

Additional services

• Alcohol ablation
• ASD/PFO repair
• Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
• Atrial flutter
• Atrial septal defect (ASD) closure
• Cardiac ablation
• Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure
• Pericardiocentesis
• SVT ablation
• Valvuloplasty
• Vascular surgery
• Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) Device
• Convergent Procedure
• Micra
• Ventricular tachycardia

Early Heart Attack Care (EHAC) resources

Did you know that heart attacks have “beginnings” that can occur weeks before the actual event? EHAC and early recognition of acute coronary symptoms can help prevent acute myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest. We provide resources via the links below to promote public awareness and increase education.

• EHAC Handout (8.5x11)
• EHAC CPR Poster (18x24)
• EHAC Course
• EHAC Course (Spanish)
• Community Health Assessment Survey
• Community Health Plan
• Hospital Transformation Program Community and Health Neighborhood Engagement Report