Services
Cardiac Catheterization Lab
Pikes Peak Cardiology leases catheterization laboratories from Memorial Hospital for outpatient procedures. Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography are diagnostic heart tests to obtain information about the heart and/or blood vessels to help decide a course of treatment. Peripheral angiography is done to obtain information about other blood vessels in the body such as vessels to the neck, head, and legs. These studies are available in a comfortable, convenient, patient oriented setting.
Coumadin (anti-coagulation) Management Program
As a service of Pikes Peak Cardiology, those receiving anti-coagulation therapy are able to have the Protime test in a comfortable, convenient, professional setting. With dedicated nursing staff, we are able to test anti-coagulation effects, as well as regulate each individual coumadin dosage. Instant results of the test are possible by using the CoaguChek® fingerstick. It is our goal that all patients receiving anti-coagulation therapy maintain safe medication blood ranges.
Cardiac Implant Device Program
In keeping with its reputation as the most innovative Adult Cardiology Practice in Southern Colorado, Pikes Peak Cardiology is the first practice in Colorado to introduce internet technology to evaluate patients with implantable cardiac devices without requiring the patients to leave home. PPC is providing a unique service to device patients allowing its clinicians to view data about their patients’ implantable device on an Internet website while the patients are at home or traveling. The Medtronic Paceart System manages the rhythms for our clinic enabling our physicians to follow more cardiac device patients than ever before. The Clinic Management System incorporates in-clinic follow-up data, merging it with previous patient history and instantly updating and reporting the data. The innovative technology, the Medtronic CareLink Network, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the use with the following devices made by Medtronic, Inc.
- An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) to treat a potentially lethal heart rhythm
- A cardiac resynchronization therapy ICD system to treat heart failure
- A pacemaker to treat a slow heart rhythm
The Medtronic CareLink Network is comprised of a patient monitor, a website for clinicians, and a website for patients and their loved ones. The monitor is a small easy-to-use device that allows patients to collect information by holding a small computer mouse-like “antenna” over their implanted device. The monitor automatically downloads data about the patient’s heart rhythm and the device, and sends it through a standard phone line directly to a secure server. Clinicians then review the patient’s data by logging onto the physician website and can make immediate decisions about the patients’ care needs.
Paceart brings together implantable cardiac devices with a database system for pacemakers, implantable defibrillators and arrhythmia management systems.
The Paceart System is a major component in Pikes Peak Cardiology's strategy to provide post-implant solutions to help physicians better and more efficiently manage patients with cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure.
Pacemaker Follow-Up Program
Utilizing state-of-the-art computerized follow-up methods, Pikes Peak Cardiology offers specially trained nursing staff to provide all levels of Pacemaker maintenance, both by telephone and in the clinic. All routine maintenance, diagnostics, and necessary reprogramming are performed conveniently in the professional office setting.
Heart Health Identification Card
Pikes Peak Cardiology offers a personal heart health card. The Pocket EKG card provides vital information about your condition for emergency situations to include your base line EKG. This card provides vital information to medical personnel in the event a patient requires urgent or emergent care. The card is exclusively offered by Pikes Peak Cardiology in the Pikes Peak region. Contact our office to learn more and get your card from Pikes Peak Cardiology.
Clinical Research Program
Pikes Peak Cardiology has been conducting clinical research trials since 1998. These trials are sponsored by national teaching institutions, pharmaceutical and medical device companies which allow development of important new treatment protocols involving every aspect of heart disease. Patients often benefit with new treatment modalities and free pharmaceuticals and diagnostic testing. The Research Program has been a leading registration site for a number of international clinical and device trials.
Enhanced External CounterPulsation (EECP)
It is now possible to provide sustained relief and improve profusion defects to patients with chronic angina using noninvasive treatment known as Enhanced External CounterPulsation (EECP). A clinical study has demonstrated that 80% of patients who experienced relief of symptoms and improvement of myocardial perfusion immediately after a course of EECP Therapy sustained those benefits after 3 years. Angina patients may expect reduction or elimination of angina episodes, less dependence upon anti-coagulation medication and improved exercise tolerance. It is well-suited for patients who are not candidates for invasive procedures or coronary surgery. EECP Therapy is administered in outpatient sessions, carries little or no risk and is relatively comfortable. This therapy is available at the Pikes Peak Cardiovascular Laboratory in a comfortable, convenient, patient oriented setting.
Diagnostic Testing
Pikes Peak Cardiology collaborates with Cardiodiagnostics of Colorado Springs in providing state of the art diagnostic testing of echocardiography, peripheral and vascular ultrasound, nuclear imaging, holter monitors, Tilt Table Testing and Trans-esophageal Echocardiography (TEE). The Diagnostic Lab is one of the few national labs that is certified by the Intersocietal Commission for Accreditation in Echocardiography, Vascular and Nuclear Laboratories. The lab is serviced by five board certified nuclear cardiologists.