Electrophysiology Studies What are Electrophysiology Studies? These tests look at your heart's electrical function and locate places inside your heart that may be causing abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). The studies are performed in a special lab by an electrophysiologist (a cardiologist who specializes in studying and treating the electrical system of the heart), who works with a team of nurses and technologists. What happens during an electrophysiology study? Electrical signals make the muscles in your heart contract. Those contractions pump blood through your body. Serious problems can

Enhanced External Counterpulsation Therapy What is EECP? EECP therapy is an outpatient treatment for angina and heart failure. During this noninvasive procedure, inflatable bags are wrapped around the legs (like a blood pressure cuff around the arm) and inflated and deflated in rhythm with your heartbeat. This treatment may be able to decrease the symptoms of angina and improve oxygen flow. How is it done? Treatments are usually for one hour each day, five days a week, up to seven weeks, for a total of 35 hours. During the treatment, you will lie on a comfortable table with large blood

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator What is a defibrillator? This tiny battery-powered device can be surgically implanted in your chest to monitor your heart rhythm. If a dangerous arrhythmia (irregular beat) is detected, the device automatically sends a small electrical impulse in an attempt to return the heartbeat to normal. The process of implanting an ICD is similar to implanting a pacemaker. An ICD typically includes electrode wire(s) that pass through a vein to the right chambers of the heart. Pacemakers are more often temporary and are generally designed to correct a slow heartbeat

Pacemaker What is a pacemaker? A pacemaker is a small electronic device that takes over the job of providing the electrical impulses needed to establish an appropriate heart rhythm. It keeps track of your normal heartbeat, and can sense when it becomes too slow. When that happens, the pacemaker generates a small electrical impulse, very similar to the heart's natural impulse. This keeps your heart beating at a normal pace. How is a pacemaker implanted? The generator may be implanted under your skin through a small incision. The generator is connected to your heart through tiny wires that are

Therapeutic Hypothermia What is therapeutic hypothermia? Therapeutic hypothermia is controlled, temporary cooling of a patient’s body temperature. Munson Medical Center began performing the procedure in 2009. About 90 percent of the 300,000 Americans who suffer a heart attack outside of a hospital die each year. For decades, conventional wisdom has been that if the heart stops beating longer than six to 10 minutes, the brain is dead. Mounting evidence of survival with little to no brain damage prompted hospitals around the country – including Munson Medical Center – to add therapeutic

Transesophageal Echocardiography What is transesophageal echocardiography? Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to make detailed pictures of your heart and the arteries that lead to and from it. An echo transducer that produces sound waves is attached to a thin tube that passes through your mouth, down your throat and into your esophagus. The sound waves sent to your heart by the probe in your esophagus are translated into pictures on a video screen. Because the esophagus is so close to the upper chambers of the heart, very clear images of those

Cardiology Research and Clinical Trials in Your Community Our cardiovascular research program brings the newest and most promising research trials to our community with cutting-edge therapies otherwise not locally available to patients. We have been involved in cardiovascular research since 2007 and have enrolled over 500 people from all over northern Michigan in 21 industry- or government-sponsored studies. Importance of Research Research studies – sometimes called clinical trials or clinical research – are an important part of the process of developing new treatments in health care

Structural Heart Clinic The team at Munson Medical Center’s Structural Heart Clinic care for patients from across northern Michigan who in years past would not have an option for getting better. Now through technology and medical expertise, these patients – such as an 86-year-old who experienced a catheter-based heart valve procedure – enjoy immediately getting back to a more active life. The six-member Structural Heart Clinic team and their Medical Director Nicklaus Slocum, MD, FACC, FSCAI, work with cardiothoracic surgeons and other departments throughout the hospital to give patients with

For Providers Referrals To refer a patient, call Traverse Heart & Vascular at 800-637-4033. Our Specialties Cardiology Our team of cardiologists, each board certified, provides consultations, treatment plans, and follow-up for most heart conditions. They also provide second opinions for those who wish to receive another viewpoint. If there is a clinical trial available, our providers discuss these opportunities with patients who may be eligible. In addition to seeing patients at their Sixth Street office in Traverse City, many of our cardiologists travel to locations across northern Michigan

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