Baylor Scott & White Heart & Vascular Institute – Greater Austin Region

Atrial septal defect closure

An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the wall (septum) between the two upper chambers of the heart present at birth. This hole is typically closed by cardiac catheterization using a device inserted into the opening to plug the hole caused by the atrial septal defect.

Calcium score cleaning

This noninvasive test checks for a buildup of cholesterol in the heart’s artery walls and may identify the risk of a heart attack even before symptoms appear. Minimum requirements for this screening include males between the ages of 40-65 years, females between the ages of 45-70 years of age or have one of the following risk factors for heart disease: diabetes, current/former smoker, obesity, family history of heart disease, history of high cholesterol or history of high blood pressure. A physician referral is required for this screening.

Please call 512.509.9100 to schedule.

Cardiac MRI

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is a non-invasive test that uses radio waves, magnets and a computer to create a series of images of the heart and its surrounding blood vessels. Cardiac MRIs are the most accurate test for measuring the percentage of blood that is pumped out of the heart every time it contracts and can show if heart muscle is dead or alive.

Cardiac stress test

A cardiac stress test (sometimes called a heart stress test) is a physical exam designed to measure how well the heart handles work. The patient typically walks on a treadmill or rides a stationary bike while their heart rhythm, blood pressure and breathing are monitored. A cardiac stress test can reveal problems with blood flow within your heart.

Clinical research trials

Patients have the opportunity to participate in clinical research trials.

Coronary angiography

A coronary angiogram is a procedure in which dye is injected to the heart’s blood vessels while an X-ray machine takes a series of images of the heart. This procedure can detect clogged arteries in the heart that may need to be treated with a stent placement or a balloon angioplasty.

Coronary artery disease management

Patients with stable coronary artery disease require medical therapy to prevent disease progression and recurrent cardiovascular events, including a heart attack. Three classes of medication are essential to therapy for coronary artery disease management include lipid-lowering, antihypertensive and antiplatelet agents.

Coronary computed tomography angiography

A computerized tomography (CT) coronary angiogram uses an X-ray machine to examine the arteries that supply blood to the heart and determine if they have a buildup of plaque, which can cause blood clots.

Coronary CTA program

A coronary computed tomography angiogram (CTA) uses advanced CT technology, along with intravenous (IV) contrast material (dye), to obtain high-resolution, 3D pictures of the moving heart and great vessels. CTA is used to examine the health of blood vessels in the body, can be used to identify weakened sections of arteries or veins, visualize blood flow and detect fatty or calcium deposits (plaques) in the coronary arteries. A physician referral is required for this screening.

Please call 512.509.9100 to schedule.

Disease prevention

Prevention for cardio metabolic, lipid and cardiovascular disease.

Echocardiogram and transesophageal echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. A transesophageal echo (TEE) is a type of echocardiogram in which an ultrasound transducer is guided down the esophagus to get a clearer image of the heart without the ribs or lungs in the way.

Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram (often called an EKG) is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat. An EKG measures the electric impulses that travel through the heart as it beats and the timing of the top and lower chambers of the heart.

Foramen ovale closure

A foramen ovale is a hole in the wall between the left and right atria of every human fetus. If the hole must be closed by a heart specialist, a closure device is placed by a catheter, threaded from the heart patient’s groin through the veins to the heart.

Heart rhythm disorders

Heart rhythm disorders (often called arrhythmias) cover a range of conditions in which there is any deviation from the normal sequence of electrical impulses in the heart.

Heart valve disease

Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the heart’s four valves do not function properly.

HeartFlow analysis

This non-invasive heart test provides a personalized 3D model of the coronary arteries that shows how each blockage impacts blood flow to the heart. This detailed information, which was previously only available through an invasive procedure, helps doctors determine the next step in a treatment plan.

Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of the blood against the heart’s artery walls is too high.

Peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral arterial disease (also called peripheral artery disease) is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs (arms or legs), which may result in leg pain while walking. Peripheral arterial disease can also result in a condition called atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm stent grafting

Endovascular stent grafting is a less invasive treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment. It uses an endovascular stent graft to reinforce the wall of the aorta and to help keep the damaged area of the heart from rupturing.

Carotid stenting

Carotid artery stenting is a minimally invasive interventional cardiology procedure in which a slender, metal-mesh tube, called a stent, is inserted and into the carotid artery and expands to increase blood flow to the heart in areas blocked by plaque.

Chronic limb ischemia stenting

Chronic limb ischemia is an advanced stage of peripheral artery disease, resulting in ischemic rest pain, arterial insufficiency ulcers and gangrene. Stent placement restores blood flow to the affected regions.

Complex high-risk coronary stenting and chronic total occlusion

Chronic coronary total occlusion occurs when either the left main or right coronary artery—one of the arteries that delivers oxygen-rich blood to your heart—has become completely blocked (occluded) for three months or longer. Treatment may involve stent placement in the artery.

Coronary atherectomy

This minimally invasive heart procedure opens a coronary artery that is blocked or narrowed by plaque.

Coronary stenting

Coronary stenting is when a stent, a small, expandable wire and mesh tube, is placed inside a clogged artery to help widen the artery and restore normal blood flow.

Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL)

Calcium makes the artery rigid and more difficult to treat with current technologies, which can result in complications for patients who are undergoing stent procedures. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) allows physicians to safely fracture problematic calcium using sonic pressure waves so that the artery can be expanded, and blood flow is restored with the placement of a stent and without unnecessary complications.

Mechanical circulatory devices – Impella®

The Impella^® heart pump temporarily assists the pumping function of the heart during stent placement to ensure blood flow is maintained to critical organs.

Peripheral vascular angiogram

Cardiologists perform this heart procedure with angioplasty, stents and thrombectomy to open blocked or narrowed arteries in the legs.

Renal denervation

Renal denervation is a minimally invasive option for patients with hypertension, or high blood pressure. An interventional cardiologist modifies the patient's renal nerves which run along the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys. This procedure allows access without damaging the arteries, complementing medication and lifestyle changes to treat hypertension.

Ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis

This minimally invasive heart treatment that dissolves dangerous blood clots in vessels is conducted using a catheter and an ultrasound to locate the site of the blood clot.

Vena cava filter placement/removal

An inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is a small, wiry device that interventional cardiologists in our hospital use to stop blood clots from going up into the lungs. The filter catches blood clots and stops them from moving up to the heart and lungs to prevent a pulmonary embolism.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm stent grafting and surgical repair

Abdominal aortic aneurysm stent grafting is the process in which a heart doctor places an endovascular stent inside of the abdominal aorta to prevent an aneurysm from rupturing.

Aortic valve replacement

An aortic valve replacement involves removing a faulty or damaged heart valve and replacing it with a new valve made from synthetic materials or animal tissue to improve blood flow to the heart.

Arterial bypass grafting

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the process of connecting, or grafting, a healthy artery or vein from the body to the blocked coronary artery. The grafted artery or vein bypasses the blocked portion of the coronary artery. This surgery is used for people with severe coronary heart disease and is used to improve blood flow to the heart.

Arteriovenous fistula placement

An arteriovenous fistula (AV) is a connection made between an artery and a vein. A heart doctor typically places the arteriovenous fistula in the forearm, which can help the vein grow stronger by causing extra pressure and blood flow into it.

Ascending aortic aneurysm repair

This heart procedure, in which a bulge in the aorta, the largest artery in the human body running from the left ventricle of the heart down to the abdomen, is repaired.

Carotid endarterectomy

A carotid endarterectomy is a surgery that removes plaque buildup from inside a carotid artery in the neck to restore normal blood flow to the brain and prevent a stroke.

Coronary artery bypassing grafting

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is a procedure used to treat coronary artery disease. In the procedure, the blocked portion of the coronary artery is bypassed with a piece of a healthy blood vessel from elsewhere in the body to improve blood flow to the heart.

Deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more deep veins in the body, typically the legs.

Left atrial appendage resection

If a patient is at risk of developing blood clots in the left atrium, a heart procedure is performed that closes or removes the left atrium appendage to reduce the risk of stroke.

Limb-salvage surgery

Limb-salvage surgery, also called limb-sparing surgery, is the most common type of surgery for a primary bone cancer or a soft tissue sarcoma in an arm or leg. The surgeon removes the tumor and an area of healthy tissue around it, while preserving as much of the limb as possible.

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery

Heart specialists use this treatment method to access the heart through a small incision, removing the need for traditional open-heart surgery. During the heart procedure, an endoscope—a thin telescopic lens, light source and camera—is passed through a small incision in the chest, providing heart surgeons a magnified view of the inside of the body. Surgical instruments are also passed through the incision, allowing surgeons to operate on the heart.

Mitral valve repair/replacement

A mitral valve replacement is a minimally invasive heart procedure to replace a mitral valve that isn't working properly.

Noninvasive vascular testing

Procedures that examine blood vessels throughout the body that feed major organs and tissue help diagnose and treat many vascular conditions, including peripheral arterial disease (PAD), stroke, aneurysms and thoracic outlet syndrome.

Pulmonary vein isolation

Pulmonary vein isolation is a procedure that creates scar tissue in the part of the left upper chamber of the heart where each of the four pulmonary veins connects. The heart surgeons here in Round Rock perform this operation to stop abnormal electrical signals in the heart that cause heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias).

Septal myectomy

A septal myectomy is a heart treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which entails removing a portion of the septum that is obstructing the flow of blood from the left ventricle to the aorta.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm stent grafting and surgical repair

Thoracic aortic aneurysm stent grafting is the process in which a heart doctor places an endovascular stent inside of the thoracic aorta to prevent an aneurysm from rupturing.

Thoracic outlet syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a group of disorders that can cause pain in the shoulders and neck, as well as numbness in the fingers. These disorders occur when blood vessels or nerves in the space between the collarbone and the first rib (thoracic outlet) are compressed.

Tricuspid valve repair/replacement

Tricuspid valve repair and tricuspid valve replacement are heart procedures that treat diseases affecting the tricuspid valve, one of four valves that control blood flow through the heart.

Venous ablations

Venous ablation is a minimally invasive heart treatment that uses radiofrequency to cauterize or burn and close abnormally enlarged veins in the legs.

Video assisted thoracoscopic decortication/pleurodesis

A thoracoscopic decortication is a surgical procedure done to free a fibrous capsule that has formed around the lung secondary to an inflammatory process, such as an infection.

Video assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy

A thoracoscopic lobectomy is the resection of an entire lobe of the lung, using a videoscope and an access incision, without the use of a mechanical retractor and without rib spreading.

Video assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy

A thoracoscopic lung biopsy is when a doctor inserts an endoscope through the chest wall into the chest cavity to obtain lung tissue for examination.