Every second counts in cardiovascular emergencies. Our Emergency Department
collaborates closely with our Stead Heart and Vascular Center to provide
rapid evaluation, diagnosis and treatment for patients.
STEMI Receiving Center
An ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), represents a severe type
of heart attack that demands immediate, specialized care. PVHMC's emergency
and cardiac teams respond swiftly to STEMI alerts, initiating lifesaving
measures. Patients are promptly assessed, stabilized and transported to
the Cardiac Catheterization (CATH) Lab for an angioplasty. This procedure
crushes blockages, opens arteries and saves lives.
Comprehensive Stroke Center
PVHMC has achieved Comprehensive Stroke Center status, the highest level
of stroke certification recognized by
The Joint Commission and
American Heart Association. Similar to STEMI heart attacks, stroke care requires an immediate response.
Timely medical attention within the first 4.5 hours of stroke symptoms
significantly improves outcomes. Rapid treatment is critical, and PVHMC
has specific protocols in place for the swift management of stroke patients.
Therapeutic Temperature Management
Patients who experience cardiac arrest need emergency care. Our Emergency
Department and Cardiac Services offer Therapeutic Temperature Management
(TTM), a unique treatment for cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, patients are
assessed for this treatment. If necessary, they are sedated and their
core body temperature is internally lowered to reduce pressure on the
brain and body, which facilitates healing over several days. Recent studies
show that keeping a normal body temperature (normothermia) may work as
well as cooling the body (hypothermia) to help people survive and recover
better after a heart attack(American College of Cardiology) (MDPI). Many patients can leave the hospital within a week without complications
and return to active, healthy lives.
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