Baptist Health Paducah offers the latest progressive approach to heart care

(PADUCAH, KY) March 28, 2024 - Baptist Health Paducah is proud to provide the latest and most advanced heart care procedures with the recent expansion of its heart care services with the introduction of two minimally invasive procedures: MitraClip™ and robotic-assisted heart bypass surgery. These procedures, performed by the hospital’s skilled structural heart team and cardiothoracic surgeons, bring big-city services to the residents of western Kentucky and surrounding region.

Baptist Health Paducah has been at the forefront of providing the latest and most advanced procedures to its patients since the region's first open-heart surgery in 1985. The hospital has continued to advance its skills and expertise to the community by providing exceptional cardiac care.

“Though we've always been the regional leader in cardiac care, we've made advancements in the last 5 years that have expanded our service to the point of being able to confidently tell patients that, with very rare exceptions, any of your cardiac needs can be well treated by top-of-the-line specialists with top-of-the-line technology, right here,” said interventional cardiologist Martin Rains, MD. “We will continue to grow and stay on the leading edge so that it's obvious to all providers and patients in this region that there really is only one choice for your cardiac care.”

Heart care advancements

• Mitraclip procedure™ - The structural heart team successfully performed their first MitraClip™ procedure, making them the only team in town to offer this minimally invasive option to patients.
  
  The MitraClip™ procedure is specifically designed for individuals with a leaky heart valve who may be at high risk, advanced in age, or too frail to undergo open-heart surgery. This alternative option effectively addresses mitral valve regurgitation and allows patients to return home after just one night in the hospital.

• Cardiothoracic surgeon Austin Ward, MD, successfully performed his first robotic-assisted heart bypass surgery using the Da Vinci Xi system on February 2. 
  
  The robotic coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure is a minimally invasive technique that enables surgeons to work through small keyhole-sized incisions using precision-guided instruments. Compared to traditional open-heart surgery, this approach offers patients a quicker and easier recovery.
“You can have full access to all the skills and technologies of a bigger city right here in Paducah,” said Rains. “If your doctor suggests you might need a heart specialist, as a patient you should know that all these advanced treatment options are available right here and there's no need for you to go out of town for top notch care.”

A comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to heart care

• From prevention to treatment, Baptist Health Paducah’s highly skilled cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons offer a progressive approach to heart care that no longer requires patients to travel to major cities. 
  
  Advanced services provided include:
  
  
• A full range of specialists and complex therapeutic procedural treatment options typically only found in bigger cities - including structural heart procedures (TAVR, MitraClip, Watchman, PFO/ASD closure)
• Electrophysiology (ablations of all types)
• Leadless pacemakers
• Resynchronization devices for patients with heart failure
• Interventional cardiology (complex stent procedures including chronic total occlusions)
• Cardiac surgery (traditional CABG, complex aorta surgeries, valve replacements, and minimally invasive/robotic options)
• Heart Failure Clinic
• Advanced vascular procedures to remove blood clots, surgical repair for blockages in the arteries in the legs, vein stripping, surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms and more
• Advanced cardiac imaging options

“Many things set us apart from competitors,” said Dr. Rains. “The fact that we provide 24-7, 365 days of cardiology and CT surgery coverage is huge. We have an extensive aortic surgery program with outcomes that rival the best centers in the country. Our team approach provides optimal care for patients tailored to their individual needs.”

Baptist Health Paducah is committed to providing exceptional cardiac care. To learn more or to request a referral to Baptist Health Medical Group Cardiology, visit BaptistHealth.com/Paducah.