4 TexasHealthHuguley.org Advanced heart and chest surgery Growing program welcomes new cardiothoracic surgeons Before he became the expert cardiothoracic surgeon he is today, Darien Bradford, MD, considered pursuing other medical specialties. “But nothing made my heart beat quite like cardiothoracic surgery,” he says. Dr. Bradford has been a cardiothoracic surgeon for nearly 25 years and has deep roots within the community. He is the newest member of a team at Texas Health Huguley Hospital that includes Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon Jeffrey Lin, MD, a longtime provider who now operates exclusively at the hospital. Transforming lives through surgical expertise Cardiothoracic surgery encompasses the treatment of the heart, lungs and other vital organs within the chest. It includes both open-heart surgery and innovative, less invasive procedures. For Dr. Bradford, the most rewarding aspect of his work is transforming life-threatening situations into opportunities for healing, when a patient can say, “You helped save my life!” Indeed, cardiothoracic surgeries are often needed in critical moments, such as during a heart attack. “We typically see patients in a more urgent or emergent situation in the hospital,” Dr. Bradford explains. “And with that consultation, we have to make a quick decision in terms of whether an operation is needed.” Some common cardiothoracic procedures are: ● Coronary artery bypass grafting to redirect blood flow around blocked arteries ● Valve surgery to repair or replace malfunctioning heart valves ● Lung cancer resection to remove tumors Pacemakers: Keeping the heart in sync Doctors also perform procedures to diagnose heart disease If you need a pacemaker to help manage a heart problem, Texas Health Huguley Hospital has you covered. A pacemaker is a batterypowered device that can help regulate a heart that beats at the wrong rhythm or rate. Cardiologist and Medical Director of Cardiac Services Alvaro S. Rios, MD, FACC, notes that you might need a pacemaker if you have a slow heartbeat. The device can relieve the symptoms caused by your heart condition, such as feeling tired, light-headed or even passing out, so you can get back to living your life. Most pacemakers connect to the heart with wires. Newer ones are wireless and are no bigger than a pill capsule. They’re all implanted in Texas Health Huguley’s cardiac catheterization laboratory (cath lab). Cardiologists insert traditional pacemakers through a skin incision near the collarbone, while wireless pacemakers are implanted with a catheter inserted through a vein in the groin area. “In general, it’s a very safe procedure, and you should go home the same day,” Dr. Rios says. Pacemakers typically last eight to 10 years before the battery is replaced. They need to be checked
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