Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death – worldwide and here in Brooklyn — accounting for more than a quarter of all deaths in the borough. Expanding comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services to meet both urgent and non-urgent patient care needs is a necessity in responding to this enduring health threat.
Maimonides Health is introducing new cardiovascular services at Maimonides Midwood Community Hospital (MMCH), expanding the expertise of its world-class Heart & Vascular Institute to Midwood and surrounding Southern Brooklyn communities. This marks another significant milestone in our ability to provide timely, comprehensive care in Brooklyn, saving more lives from cardiovascular disease.
Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics Backed by Brooklyn’s Most Experienced Heart Team
Developed in collaboration between leaders of MMCH and Maimonides Heart & Vascular Institute, the new cardiac services combine the expertise of Maimonides cardiologists with an extensive suite of diagnostic tools and facilities for cutting-edge therapeutic interventions, including a state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab with the latest advanced imaging technology.
The program, led by Robert Frankel, MD, Director of Interventional Cardiology, and Jacob Shani, MD, Chair of Cardiology, features cutting-edge equipment and services, including:
- Combination Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) & Electrophysiology Studies (EP) Lab
- 128-Slice CT Scan with Cardiac Package
- Nuclear and Echocardiogram Stress Testing Lab
- Coronary Angiography Lab
- Peripheral vascular intervention and vascular procedures
- Cardiac Sonography office
- Cardiac physician offices
“This new cardiac facility brings the most advanced, most experienced heart team together with the most high-end technology to serve Midwood,” said Dr. Frankel. “This is something that this community has never had before.”
These technological assets assist clinicians in delivering the most accurate diagnoses. Advanced imaging has the capability to move around the patient 360 degrees, allowing for imaging of all parts of the body in one scan. This imaging technique also significantly reduces radiation compared to traditional scans, just one of the ways MMCH’s cardiac diagnostic technology increases patient safety.
Another safety enhancement is the artery mapping system, a unique system that allows clinicians to reduce the amount of contrast needed for procedures, reducing the impact on patients’ kidneys.
MMCH cardiac services also feature the latest in detection techniques for hemodynamic significance of a blockage, meaning clinicians can use advanced physiologic testing to determine the severity of a blockage and ensure that doctors are treating the most pressing threats as quickly as possible.
Leadership in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Procedures
The new center offers a full spectrum of services, from preventive cardiology and diagnostic imaging, to interventional procedures and rehabilitation. Proximity to cutting-edge care makes a difference for patients with conditions such as:
- Acute coronary syndrome, including myocardial infarction
- Coronary artery disease
- Cardiac arrythmias
- Heart failure
- Heart valve disease
- Small vessel disease
- Congenital heart disease
These technologies allow Maimonides physicians — consistently ranked among the best for cardiac care in Brooklyn and New York State — to provide lifesaving care for patients in and around Midwood, when timely expert care is directly related to outcomes.
Patients at Maimonides Heart & Vascular Institute experience better PCI outcomes than the statewide average, and we’re the only hospital in New York State to achieve that for 11 years in a row (2006–2018). For patients with atherosclerosis, our exceptional outcomes for open heart CABG surgery have earned us the highest score possible — three stars for statistically better CABG outcomes than expected.
Expert, Rapid Care When It Matters Most
This significant expansion of cardiac services makes rapid, expert care more accessible to thousands more Brooklynites. Proximity can significantly reduce the time between onset of symptoms and intervention, which is crucial to preventing permanent heart damage and saving lives.
“For patients, this can save up to 30 minutes from onset of symptoms to treatment. That 30 minutes means we can preserve more of the heart muscle,” said Dr. Frankel. “Every minute that artery is closed during a heart attack, the heart muscle is dying. So the sooner we open the artery, the sooner we stop the heart attack and can save more of the heart muscle. That means patients will have a healthier heart at the end of it, with a better chance of returning to normal function and being back to their families, back to work, and back to a productive life.”
The MMCH cardiac team provides patient-centered care, with each individual receiving personalized attention and treatment efficiently and tailored to their specific needs. For more complex conditions, and for patients in need of urgent cardiothoracic surgery, rapid, simplified transfer to the Heart & Vascular Institute at Maimonides Medical Center is available.
“Along with expanded cardiac services, we recently upgraded our MRI technology, and we offer a full suite of radiology services. These advances are an investment in our community’s health,” said Barry Stern, CEO of Maimonides Midwood Community Hospital. “We are laser-focused on continuing to bring the most advanced technology, combined with a dedicated team of cardiologists, nurses, and support staff, to serve patients dealing with even the most complex conditions in a caring environment.”
Cardiac services at Maimonides Midwood Community Hospital are located at 2525 Kings Highway in Brooklyn. For more information and to refer a patient, call 718-692-8503. To learn more about Maimonides’ Heart & Vascular Institute, visit our webpage.
