In addition to traditional non-invasive screenings, the UMC Heart Center offers outstanding cardiac treatment for patients of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. Our multidisciplinary approach allows patients and their family members to have access to innovative systems only available at UMC.

Some of these include:

• Bioabsorbable Stent: UMC has a revolutionary stent option for patients with blocked arteries. Placed in the artery during an angioplasty procedure, the bioabsorbable stent plays a vital role in supporting the vessel after the blocked artery has been opened, restoring blood flow. After that, the artery can remain open on its own; for this reason the stent dissolves, leaving just the natural blood vessel behind. Our bioabsorbable stent is considered to be as safe as most stents used today!

• Watchman LAAC Implant: Atrial fibrillation can cause blood to stick together and clot in an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA). Blood clots can break loose from the LAA and travel to the brain, lungs, and other parts of the body, causing a stroke. The WATCHMAN implant is designed to keep these harmful clots from escaping the LAA.

• Laser Atherectomy: Atherectomy is a great treatment option in peripheral artery disease (PAD). The laser system operates over a guide wire and is used to ablate and destroy plaque buildup in arteries.

• Chronic Total Occlusion (intervention of coronary arteries): A complete blockage in a coronary artery that has been present for over three months is called a chronic total occlusion. Cardiac interventionists are now using special guide wires and catheters that are gently steered across the total blockages to treat them.

• Carotid Artery Disease: Carotid Artery Disease is a form of Peripheral Artery Disease that affects blood flow through the carotid arteries, the two large vessels on each side of your neck that supply blood to the brain. When you feel your pulse on your neck under your jaw, you are feeling blood move through the carotid artery.