Advanced Technologies at the Alex G. Spanos Heart & Vascular Center
Advanced Heart Disease Care
The Dignity Health Heart and Vascular Institute at Mercy General Hospital offers physicians and their patients access to the latest technological advances modern medicine offers.
da Vinci Surgical System
With the da Vinci® Surgical System, high definition 3D views of areas of the heart and robotic arms allow for smaller incisions, minimal scarring, shorter recovery times and reduced pain. Mercy General Hospital is one of the only facilities in Northern California to offer this procedure.
Epicardial/ Endocardial Ablation Combination Procedures
For patients who have permanent, persistent Atrial Fibrillation (AF) with structural heart disease, Mercy General is among a few providers to offer a staged treatment approach utilizing Epicardial (minimally invasive surgical) ablation and, if that does not resolve the AF, Endocardial (catheter) ablation six weeks later.
Hybrid Cath/Surgical Suite
The hybrid cardiovascular catheterization/surgical suite offers the most advanced treatment environment available by combining the high definition imaging capabilities of a cath lab with the surgical capabilities and equipment of a full cardiovascular operating room.
Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
LVAD is a mechanical pump implanted in a patient with advanced heart failure to dramatically improve their quality of life. A LVAD can be used while the patient awaits a heart transplant or to improve symptoms for patients who are not transplant candidates. Mercy General has received the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission for their LVAD program.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure for patients too high risk to undergo traditional open-chest valve replacement. Mercy General Hospital is among a small number of select centers in the U.S. performing this complex procedure.
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (TMVR)
TMVR is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat moderate-severe mitral valve regurgitation, without requiring open heart surgery. The procedure is performed in the hybrid cath/surgical suite and involves a device called the MitraClip®. TMVR can restore patients’ quality of life while providing a faster recovery time with less pain, compared to traditional open heart surgery.
Watchman™ Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Closure Technology
Watchman™ is currently the only FDA-approved LAA closure device that effectively reduces stroke risk due to thromboembolism from the LAA in patients with Atrial Fibrillation. Watchman is an umbrella-like device that is placed via catheter.