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Heart & Vascular Services

Most of us don't think about our heart and the incredible job it does each day. Over an average lifetime, the heart beats 2.5 billion times - that's one beat per second of every minute of every day. Although the heart is a strong, powerful organ, it is susceptible to disease and trauma. In some cases, people are born with defects of the heart, while others develop problems over a lifetime. Being aware of the associated risks and services available to prevent and treat heart disease is essential to living an active and healthy lifestyle. We rely on advanced technology, experienced cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, vascular surgeons and nurse specialists that work in teams to address the full scope of heart problems, whether common or complex.

Services offered for the treatment of cardiovascular disease at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital have repeatedly been recognized among the best in the nation by numerous independent research organizations. Our emphasis is on offering a comprehensive cardiovascular program that includes general, non-invasive and interventional diagnostics, treatment and surgical services to patients with diseases or disorders of the heart and vascular system. Surgical procedures include adult cardiac and general thoracic surgery, off-pump heart surgery, valve repair and replacement, as well as vascular surgery. Our cardiologists, cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons work as experienced teams of specialists to assure expert and personalized care. In addition, our patients benefit from the most recent and advanced diagnostic services, nurses with advanced training, patient education and a comprehensive rehabilitation program.

As a patient, you can expect the highest level of clinical and scientific excellence, coupled with an old-fashioned approach to medicine - what we like to think of as genuine caring from the heart.

Two new cardiac catheterization labs came on-line at BMH in 2007. Cath labs are the heart of a hospital's cardiovascular activities. They enable physicians to view and treat potential coronary artery blockages that could cause heart attacks or other serious cardiovascular damage. The data and images acquired during these procedures flow beyond the walls of the cath lab and are used in future cardiac diagnostics and procedures. The addition of new cath labs enables Bakersfield Memorial to utilize the latest state-of-the-art equipment to provide high quality cardiac services for our patients.

These cath labs are using the new iLab Ultrasound Imaging System to provide improved diagnosis and treatment of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) -- the number one killer in America. This new technology uses high frequency sound waves to provide the physicians with a cross-sectional view from inside the patient's artery showing them where the normal arterial wall ends and the plaque begins. Combining IVUS with traditional angiography provides a more complete picture of the diseased artery and enables the cardiologist to determine the best treatment option. BMH is the first and only hospital in this area -- and the third in California, behind Stanford and Scrips -- to utilize this next-generation IVUS technology in its cardiac cath labs.