Cardiovascular Health

All of our personnel are particularly concerned about cardiac patients. They will help with scheduling appointments and tests, completing insurance forms, and obtaining authorization records. If they can't answer your questions, they'll direct you to the appropriate person. 

Cardiac electrophysiologists evaluate heart-rhythm disturbances and help determine appropriate treatment for them. They may practice in a variety of settings including emergency and operating rooms, intensive care units, and specialty clinics or laboratories.

Cardiac pathologists look for evidence of rejection in heart biopsies performed after
heart transplantation. 

Cardiac surgeons specialize in surgical techniques related to problems of the heart and blood vessels, including repair and replacement of faulty valves, coronary artery bypass grafts, heart transplantation, tumors of the heart, and so forth. The cardiac surgeons at Stanford are pioneering new techniques in minimally invasive heart surgery to improve outcomes and speed patients' recovery times. They are also developing new heart-assist pumps and novel ways to repair aneurysms of the aorta in the chest. 

Cardiologists specialize in treating heart disease. They also manage acute problems such as heart attacks and arrhythmias, perform diagnostic procedures such as cardiac catheterization, and consult with other specialists and surgeons. The cardiologists at Stanford Hospital and Clinics are recognized worldwide for their work.

Cardiothoracic surgeons perform heart transplant and ventricular assist device
implant surgeries. Stanford surgeons were the first to perform a heart transplant in
the U.S., and the first in the world to implant a ventricular assist device.

Case managers coordinate a wide range of services, including assistance with insurance companies, referrals, test scheduling, and home care. 

The clinic manager is responsible for the overall operation of the clinic, and supervises the clinical and administrative staff. 

Interventional cardiology's clinical nurse coordinators play an integral role in the leading edge care you will receive in treatment of your cardiovascular condition. Beyond managing admission and discharge, and assisting families with transportation and lodging, here are other ways clinical coordinators are involved in your care:

• Handle new patient referrals and assist in initial appointment process
• Educate patients and family members on diagnostic and treatment options
• Coordinate Stanford's mulit-disciplinary approach to state-of-the-art treatment for coronary artery disease
• Participate in ongoing research for the treatment of coronary artery disease
• Support multiple aspects of interventional cardiology's clinical work

Dieticians help heart patients learn about and maintain a healthful, enjoyable, heart-healthy diet that may prevent or delay surgery, or help the heart stay healthy after surgery. 

Dieticians provide nutritional counseling and education to patients and their families, and often work closely with diabetes educators. The Transplant Diabetes Program at Stanford Hospital & Clinics is a national and local award-winning program that addresses diabetes through a multidisciplinary approach.

Echosonographers at Stanford perform a variety of diagnostic procedures including stress echo, 3-D echo, and Doppler sonography. The information provided by such assessments is vital for the diagnosis and treatment of many heart problems. 

Heart failure cardiologists diagnose and treat heart failure. These physicians discuss which treatment options are appropriate based upon a thorough evaluation of a patient's medical history, severity of heart failure, and personal preferences.

Immunologists supervise a group of highly trained laboratory technologists who perform the complex tests that help determine recipient and donor organ compatibility. 

Infectious diseases doctors specialize in the prevention, detection, and treatment of
opportunistic infections for organ transplant recipients. 

Medical assistants help physicians by measuring patients' weight, blood pressure, and temperature, and maintaining daily patient records.

Specially trained nurse coordinators work closely with all members of the transplant team to coordinate care throughout the entire transplant process. These nurses also provide extensive education and support to patients and their family members.

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses (RNs) who have advanced education and
clinical training in a health care specialty area; most have also received national certification in that specialty. Our nurse practitioners have extensive training in caring for cardiac patients and are an extremely important resource. They work closely with attending physicians to assure coordination of care and help meet the unique needs of individual patients. They also provide useful information for patients and families and communicate with referring physicians. 

Clinic nurses are specially trained and experienced in caring for cardiac patients, and provide a wide range of services at each clinic. They also provide patient education essential to the treatment plan. In some clinics, highly qualified nursing personnel, in consultation with your doctor, provide advice by phone. 

Before and after transplant, patients and their families receive continuous support to help make the changes they need to while adjusting to a new life. 

Patient care coordinators arrange evaluation appointments, medical studies, and consultations. They track test results performed outside of Stanford and manage medication refill requests. They work closely with the nurse coordinators and physicians to support patients.

Pharmacists review and monitor patient's medications and provide detailed medication education and training to patients and their families prior to discharge from the hospital. 

The pre-transplant coordinator manages tests, procedures, and medical appointments during the evaluation period and continues to coordinate care while patients are on the transplant waiting list. 

Pre-transplant nurses work closely with heart failure cardiologists to provide care to heart failure patients seen at Stanford Hospital & Clinics. They also facilitate the transplant evaluation process for potential heart transplant candidates.

Transplant psychiatrists work closely with all of the organ transplant programs
at Stanford in managing depression and other psychiatric conditions that may develop or worsen as a result of the medications used to prevent rejection.
 

Research Nurse Coordinators screen, educate and gain informed consent from candidates and recipients who are eligible and willing to participate in clinical research studies.

Transplant social workers conduct a formal psychosocial evaluation as part of the evaluation process for transplant candidacy. They assist with relocation and adjustment issues before and after transplant and also provide ongoing support, counseling and referral services as needed to patients and their families.

Echosonographers at Stanford perform a variety of diagnostic procedures including stress echo, 3-D echo, and Doppler sonography. The information provided by such assessments is vital for the diagnosis and treatment of many heart problems. 

Financial coordinators work closely with patients and insurance companies to obtain benefit information for the transplant process. They also serve as a resource to patients and their family members for transplant-related insurance and financial issues. Transplant financial coordinators can help answer all the questions you may have about paying for your heart transplant.