Cardiac procedures available at SRMC

WAYNESBURG – Dr. Michael Brown, who is affiliated with Washington Health Systems, is now performing two new procedures at Southwest Regional Medical Center.
The first is venous ablation, a procedure used to treat venous insufficiency, and the second is pacemaker insertion.
Venous ablation is a minimally invasive outpatient treatment uses to treat venous insufficiency. The procedure is performed using ultrasound guidance and is often covered by insurance plans.
Venous insufficiency often causes varicose veins. The condition is caused by damage to the veins and valves, which leads to improper blood flow to the legs. The result is often blue, sometimes bulging, veins. Patients may also experience swelling in the lower leg and ankle, dull pain, restless legs and, in the most severe cases, ulcers.
Chronic venous disorders of the legs are quite common. Varicose veins affect one out of two people age 50 and older, and 20 to 25 percent of all adults. Varicose veins can be caused by many factors including age, genetics, leg injury, lifestyle, occupation, obesity or prolonged sitting. Venous ablation is performed on an outpatient basis at the cardiovascular care center on the third floor of Southwest Regional Medical Center.
The second procedure now offered by Brown is pacemaker insertion. Pacemaker insertion is recommended by doctors for a number of reasons. The most common reasons are bradycardia and heart block. Bradycardia is a slower than normal heartbeat, while heart block is a problem with the heart’s electrical system. Placing a pacemaker requires minor surgery.
The surgery will be performed on the fifth floor of the hospital’s surgical services department.
Follow up services for pacemakers are also offered at the SRMC Cardiovascular Care Center on the third floor of the hospital.
The SRMC Cardiovascular Care Center also offers enhanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities to aid in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Cardiology services encompass stress testing, complete pacemaker insertion and follow-up, coronary CT angiograms, holter monitor application and analysis, EKGs, stress echo testing, echocardiograms, venous ablation, carotid dopplers, arterial dopplers and venous dopplers.
Anyone who would like to learn more about these procedures can call 724-627-2605.