Baylor St. Luke's Medical Group – CommonSpirit Health
Compassionate. Precise. Close to Home.
Woodlands North Houston Heart Center brings together board-certified cardiologists, interventional specialists, cardiac electrophysiologists, and advanced practitioners to deliver comprehensive cardiovascular care across four convenient North Houston locations. As part of Baylor St. Luke's Medical Group, we combine cutting-edge technology with a deeply personalized approach — from cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmia management to disease prevention and rehabilitation.
Our Practice
Housed in a modern, state-of-the-art facility, Woodlands North Houston Heart Center combines caring physicians with cutting-edge advances available in only a select few centers in the United States. Our comprehensive cardiovascular services span advanced cardiac electrophysiology — including ablation, pacemaker implantation, and arrhythmia management — alongside leading-edge vein treatment for conditions such as varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency. Our interventional cardiology and structural heart program delivers minimally invasive, catheter-based therapies — from complex coronary interventions and stenting to advanced structural procedures such as transcatheter valve repair and replacement — restoring heart function with precision and minimal recovery time. Our dedicated heart failure management program offers personalized monitoring, medication optimization, and multidisciplinary support to help patients achieve the highest possible quality of life. From advanced cardiovascular risk assessment to CT coronary artery angiography, every service reflects our commitment to precision, innovation, and compassionate care.
Precision mapping of the four-chamber heart
3D electroanatomic voltage mapping of arrhythmia circuits
High-resolution coronary tree mapping & stent placement
2D/Doppler imaging of cardiac function and valvular disease
Implantable defibrillators & cardiac resynchronization therapy
What We Offer
As North Houston's leaders in cardiology and cardiovascular medicine, our physicians and specialty staff work closely with you — delivering compassionate, personalized care from full-service consultations to diagnostic imaging and comprehensive cardiac testing.
Our interventional cardiologists perform the full spectrum of catheter-based procedures — from diagnostic coronary angiography to complex percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), structural heart repairs, and peripheral vascular interventions — minimizing recovery times while maximizing outcomes.
Our electrophysiology team specializes in the diagnosis and management of cardiac arrhythmias using state-of-the-art 3D electroanatomic mapping, radiofrequency and pulsed field ablation technologies, and the implantation of complex cardiac devices including ICDs, CRT-D, leadless pacemakers, and left atrial appendage occlusion.
Comprehensive cardiac diagnostics without the need for catheters or anesthesia. Our non-invasive suite provides advanced echocardiography, nuclear stress testing, cardiac CT and MRI interpretation, ambulatory monitoring, and preventive cardiology consultations to detect disease early and guide treatment.
Dedicated management programs for patients with heart failure, cardiomyopathies, and valvular disease — combining guideline-directed medical therapy with remote monitoring and a compassionate multidisciplinary team approach.
Our vein specialists offer comprehensive evaluation and minimally invasive treatment of venous disease — including varicose veins, spider veins, and chronic venous insufficiency — using the latest endovenous techniques to relieve symptoms and restore confidence.
Our Team
Our physicians are board-certified cardiologists and cardiac electrophysiologists dedicated to remaining at the forefront of cardiovascular disease management. By applying evidence-based practice guidelines to everyday patient care, we treat each patient as an individual — tailoring care to their specific needs.
A cardiovascular leader serving North Houston since 1985, Dr. Aquino helped build Woodlands North Houston Heart Center into one of Houston's most respected cardiology groups. He earned his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine and completed his cardiovascular fellowship at UT–Houston affiliated hospitals. He served as President of the Houston Cardiology Society, Chief of Staff at Houston Northwest Medical Center, and Chief of Staff at Baylor St. Luke's–The Woodlands from 2003 to 2007. He has been repeatedly named a Houston Top Doctor and currently serves as Director of Cardiovascular Services at Baylor St. Luke's–The Woodlands Hospital.
A Rice University graduate, Dr. Coleman earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and completed his cardiovascular fellowship at UT–Houston affiliated hospitals, including Hermann Hospital and St. Luke's Episcopal. Practicing in The Woodlands since 1990, he was among the inaugural class to receive ABIM board certification in Interventional Cardiology in 2000. He served as Clinical Instructor at UT Houston for 10 years, chaired cardiology and internal medicine departments at two hospitals, and has been named Best Cardiologist in The Woodlands and a Top Doctor honoree. He is also proficient in Spanish.
Dr. Lachterman, F.A.C.C., completed his medical training at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara and UC Irvine School of Medicine, then completed his cardiovascular fellowship at UT–Houston Health Science Center including Hermann Hospital and St. Luke's Texas Heart Institute. Practicing in The Woodlands since 1993, he was a pioneer in bringing endovascular interventions to the region. He has served as Chairman of Cardiology and Internal Medicine at Houston Northwest Medical Center and Baylor St. Luke's–The Woodlands Hospital, Chief of Staff at Lakeside St. Luke's The Woodlands, and Medical Director of the cardiac cath lab at St. Luke's–The Woodlands. He specializes in coronary intervention and peripheral vascular disease.
Dr. De La Guardia earned his medical degree from ITESM in Mexico, ranking second in his graduating class. He pursued research at Baylor College of Medicine, served as Chief Medical Resident at the University of Arizona, then completed cardiovascular and interventional cardiology training at UT Medical School Houston. A Diplomate of ABIM and FACC, he currently serves as Medical Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab at St. Luke's–The Woodlands. He speaks Spanish.
Dr. Alexander, MRCP (UK), FACC, earned his medical degree from Stanley Medical College (University of Madras) and completed his residency at the University of Missouri–Columbia. He served as Chief of Cardiology at Texas Tech University Medical Sciences Center, where he was instrumental in developing the cardiology program, and has been a trusted presence in The Woodlands area for decades. Known for his patient-first philosophy of empathy and shared decision-making, he is fluent in English, Malayalam, and Tamil.
Dr. Vaidya earned his medical degree from Armed Forces Medical College, Poona University, India, and completed his residency and cardiology fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center / Albert Einstein College of Medicine, followed by an interventional cardiology fellowship at Rhode Island Hospital / Brown University. Board certified in Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, and Nuclear Cardiology, he is an FACC and Diplomate of the National Board of Echocardiography, and serves as Medical Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab at Baylor St. Luke's–Lakeside Hospital.
Dr. Aertker graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M, earned his M.D. from UT Houston McGovern Medical School (Alpha Omega Alpha), and trained at Duke University Hospital and the Texas Heart Institute, where he was elected Chief Cardiology Fellow. He specializes in preventive cardiology and structural, coronary, and peripheral vascular intervention, and leads the structural heart team at St. Luke's Woodlands Hospital — home to a CommonSpirit Center of Excellence TAVR program.
Dr. Kuten graduated from the University of Texas at Austin's Plan II Honors Program, earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine, and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He then completed his Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology fellowship at the Texas Heart Institute, where he was honored with the Tauber Award for Outstanding Cardiology Fellow. Board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease, he is an FACC with expertise in coronary interventions and peripheral vascular disease.
Dr. Peerbhai is an interventional and structural cardiologist who completed his residency, cardiology fellowship, and interventional & structural fellowship entirely at UTHealth Houston, serving as Chief at each level. A Baylor University and St. George's University graduate inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha, he is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Adult Echocardiography, and Interventional Cardiology, with expertise in complex coronary interventions, structural heart disease, and cardiovascular imaging.
Dr. Greenberg trained at the University of Colorado, Cornell University - New York Presbyterian, and the Texas Heart Institute - Baylor College of Medicine, where he was elected Chief Cardiology Fellow and Chief EP Fellow. He serves as Medical Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at Baylor St. Luke's–The Woodlands and is the co-chair of Cardiac Electrophysiology for CommonSpirit Health nationally. He is on the Health Policy and Regulatory Affairs Committee for the Heart Rhythm Society and on the Board of Trustees for Heart Rhythm Advocates, Heart Rhythm Society. Board certified in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Cardiovascular Disease.
A Vanderbilt University and UT Health San Antonio graduate, Dr. Brown completed her Internal Medicine residency at UT Health Houston, then trained at the Texas Heart Institute where she was named Most Outstanding Cardiology Fellow and Chief Cardiology Fellow. She completed an Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant fellowship at Houston Methodist, joined the practice in 2016, and is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology, and Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology. A Texas Rising Stars honoree.
Dr. LaVergne attended Baylor University for his undergraduate education, then earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and completed his cardiovascular fellowship at UT–Houston Health Science Center, where he was honored as Chief Cardiology Fellow. Practicing in The Woodlands since 1998, he has authored research published in the New England Journal of Medicine. He specializes in non-invasive cardiology with expertise in nuclear cardiology, echocardiography, and the treatment of vein disease.
Dr. Peabody earned her medical degree from Texas A&M University in College Station, and completed both her Internal Medicine residency and Cardiovascular Disease fellowship at Texas A&M Health Sciences Center, Scott & White in Temple, Texas. Practicing since 1995, she joined the practice in 2002 and specializes in non-invasive and preventive cardiology with a passion for patient education, women's heart disease, and community heart health in The Woodlands. She is an FACC and has served on the board of the American Heart Association of Northwest Harris County.
Dr. Nemeth holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UT Austin and a Master's in Cancer Biology from UT Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. She earned her medical degree from UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, completed her Internal Medicine residency at the University of Virginia, and her cardiology fellowship at the Texas Heart Institute – Baylor College of Medicine. She serves as Medical Director of Noninvasive Cardiology and is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Cardiology, and Echocardiography.
Dr. Kantis earned his medical degree from St. George's University School of Medicine and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Hartford Hospital / University of Connecticut, followed by his cardiovascular fellowship at the University of Connecticut. Board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine, he specializes in echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and non-invasive cardiology, with a practice anchored in clear, compassionate communication. Multilingual in German, English, Greek, and Spanish, he is affiliated with Baylor St. Luke's–The Woodlands Hospital.
Dr. Shum earned her medical degree from the University of Queensland Medical School in Australia and specializes in non-invasive cardiology with particular expertise in adult congenital heart disease, cardio-oncology, and women's cardiovascular health. Board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine, she has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed publications on congenital heart disease management and cardiovascular risk in oncology patients. She is affiliated with Baylor St. Luke's–The Woodlands Hospital and Baylor St. Luke's–Lakeside Hospital.
Practice Administrator with a DNP from UT Health Houston. Board certified in Acute Care and Nurse Executive practice. Clinical focus on heart failure and cardiometabolic disease; active NP student preceptor.
Board-certified PA and BCM Instructor in Cardiology. Sees patients at the Woodlands and Spring locations. Rated 4.8 stars for clear communication and attentive care.
Certified Adult-Gerontology NP specializing in longitudinal cardiac management, with a focus on the aging population. Known for her thorough, attentive approach and the trust she builds with patients.
Family NP specializing in cardiology, credentialed at three St. Luke's hospitals. Known for her data-driven approach and attentive management of coronary artery disease, pacemakers, and cholesterol.
DNP and board-certified AG-ACNP credentialed at St. Luke's Woodlands and Lakeside hospitals. Brings doctoral-level expertise to the acute and chronic management of complex cardiovascular disease.
Certified PA providing cardiovascular care in collaboration with the practice's cardiologists. Bilingual in English and Spanish, with a patient-centered approach to consultations and follow-up.
NP delivering cardiovascular assessments, medication management, and patient education. Works closely with the physician team to provide coordinated care from initial consultation through long-term follow-up.
Board-certified AGACNP currently accepting new patients at the Woodlands location. Advanced training in acute management of cardiovascular conditions including coronary syndromes, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
Dual-certified Critical Care RN and AGACNP. Her intensive care background equips her to manage hemodynamically complex cardiac patients in close partnership with the cardiologist team.
Board-certified AGACNP delivering specialized cardiovascular and cardiac electrophysiology care to adult and elderly patients. Advanced training in acute cardiac management as part of the practice's integrated cardiology team.
Resources
Everything you need to manage your care — from accessing your health records to completing forms before your visit.
Access your health records, test results, and messages with your care team.
Securely view and pay your balance online at your convenience.
Download and complete your new patient paperwork before your first visit.
Review and sign required consent forms and acknowledgment documents.
Complete required authorization and agreement forms prior to your visit.
Securely request copies of your medical records online.
View the insurance plans accepted at our facilities to help plan your visit.
Access clear information about the cost of care at our facilities.
Patient FAQ
Everything you need to know before your first visit — from insurance and referrals to what to bring on appointment day.
Still have questions? Call us at (281) 444-3278 — our team is happy to help.
Most patients do not need a referral to schedule an appointment with our cardiologists. However, some insurance plans — particularly HMOs — require a referral from your primary care physician. We recommend calling your insurance before your visit to confirm your plan’s requirements, and our scheduling team is happy to help clarify.
Yes. We accept traditional Medicare as well as most Medicare Advantage plans. Because prior authorization requirements vary by plan and procedure, our billing team will work with you and your insurance before any elective procedure to verify coverage and manage the authorization process on your behalf.
Routine new patient appointments are typically available within one to two weeks. Urgent referrals from emergency departments or hospitals can often be accommodated within 24–48 hours. Call our main line at (281) 444-3278 or use the online appointment request form below.
We have four locations serving North Houston — The Woodlands, Spring, Willis, and Huntsville. Most general cardiology services are available at all sites. Certain procedures, including EP ablation and structural heart interventions, are performed at our main Woodlands location or at affiliated hospital facilities. Our staff will guide you to the right site when scheduling.
Please bring a valid photo ID, your insurance card(s), a complete list of current medications with dosages, any recent lab results or imaging studies (CDs or reports), and — if referred by another physician — any records they have shared. Arriving 15 minutes early to complete paperwork is appreciated.
Yes. As part of Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Group, we use the MyChart patient portal through CommonSpirit Health. You can view visit summaries, lab and imaging results, request medication refills, and message your care team directly through the portal or app.
Find Us
Serving Greater Houston with four convenient locations — from The Woodlands to Huntsville — each equipped to deliver the same standard of advanced cardiovascular care.
Schedule a consultation at one of our four North Houston locations. We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare. Same-week appointments available for urgent referrals.
Fax: (832) 249-3850
Clinical Services
Comprehensive evaluation and minimally invasive treatment of venous disease — from cosmetic spider veins to medically significant varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency — performed by board-certified cardiologists with specialized expertise in vascular medicine.
What We Treat
Our vein specialists evaluate and treat the full spectrum of venous disorders — from mild cosmetic concerns to debilitating chronic conditions that significantly impact quality of life and limb health.
Enlarged, twisted, rope-like veins visible beneath the skin — most commonly occurring in the legs — caused by faulty valves that allow blood to pool rather than flow efficiently back toward the heart. Varicose veins can cause aching, heaviness, swelling, and skin changes, and carry a risk of progression to chronic venous insufficiency if left untreated.
Small, superficial clusters of dilated capillaries that appear as red, blue, or purple web-like patterns on the skin surface. While primarily a cosmetic concern, spider veins can sometimes cause localized burning or itching. They respond extremely well to sclerotherapy, typically requiring only a few brief treatment sessions.
A progressive condition in which damaged or incompetent venous valves fail to return blood efficiently from the legs to the heart. CVI causes chronic leg swelling, pain, skin discoloration, and — in advanced cases — venous ulceration. Early treatment of the underlying venous reflux is essential to halt disease progression and promote wound healing.
Open wounds on the lower leg or ankle caused by chronically elevated venous pressure and impaired tissue oxygenation — the most severe manifestation of untreated chronic venous insufficiency. Venous ulcers account for the majority of chronic lower limb wounds and require combined wound care and correction of underlying venous reflux for effective healing.
Inflammation and clot formation within a superficial vein — typically a varicose vein — causing localized pain, redness, warmth, and a palpable cord. While usually not dangerous, superficial thrombophlebitis can occasionally extend into the deep venous system, underscoring the importance of timely evaluation and treatment of underlying varicose disease.
Reticular veins are medium-sized, blue-green veins visible just beneath the skin that feed spider vein clusters and contribute to feelings of leg heaviness, fatigue, and restlessness — particularly after prolonged standing. Targeted treatment of the feeder veins reduces symptom burden and prevents recurrence of treated spider veins.
Our Expertise
Our cardiologists offer the full spectrum of modern, minimally invasive vein treatments — tailored to the size, location, and severity of each patient's venous disease — with minimal discomfort and rapid return to normal activity.
The gold standard treatment for great and small saphenous vein reflux. A thin laser fiber is advanced into the diseased vein under ultrasound guidance; laser energy is then delivered along the vein's length as the fiber is withdrawn, causing the vein wall to contract and permanently close. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, takes under an hour, and allows immediate walking and return to normal activity.
An alternative to laser ablation that uses radiofrequency energy to heat and collapse the diseased saphenous vein from within. Delivered via a specially designed catheter under ultrasound guidance, RFA offers equivalent long-term efficacy to laser ablation with a well-established safety profile, and is performed as a comfortable in-office procedure under tumescent local anesthesia.
A sclerosant solution is mixed with air or CO₂ to create a foam that is injected directly into varicose veins under real-time ultrasound visualization. The foam displaces blood within the vein and irritates the vessel wall, causing it to scar and close. Particularly effective for treating residual or recurrent varicose veins, large tributaries, and veins that are not suitable for thermal ablation.
A sclerosant agent — most commonly polidocanol or sodium tetradecyl sulfate — is injected directly into spider veins and small reticular veins using a very fine needle. The chemical damages the inner lining of the vessel, causing it to close and gradually fade over several weeks. Most patients require two to four treatment sessions for optimal cosmetic results.
A non-thermal, non-tumescent technique in which a medical-grade adhesive (cyanoacrylate glue) is delivered into the diseased saphenous vein via catheter, sealing it shut without the need for tumescent anesthesia injections or compression stockings post-procedure. VenaSeal is particularly well-suited for patients with needle sensitivity or those who wish to avoid post-procedure compression requirements.
A minimally invasive in-office surgical technique in which bulging surface varicosities are removed through a series of tiny punctures — so small they require no sutures. Performed under local anesthesia, ambulatory phlebectomy is highly effective for large, superficial varicose tributary veins that are too tortuous or close to the skin surface for thermal ablation, with excellent cosmetic outcomes.
A comprehensive non-invasive study combining B-mode ultrasound with Doppler flow analysis to map the entire superficial and deep venous system of the leg. Venous mapping identifies the precise location and extent of venous reflux, assesses deep venous patency, and guides treatment planning — ensuring the most effective and targeted approach for each individual patient's anatomy.
Minimally invasive catheter-directed therapies for deep venous thrombosis and acute pulmonary embolism — including catheter-directed thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy, and pharmacomechanical techniques. These approaches dissolve or remove dangerous clots directly at the site of obstruction, rapidly restoring venous and pulmonary blood flow and reducing the risk of long-term complications such as post-thrombotic syndrome and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
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Our vein specialists are ready to evaluate your venous disease and recommend the most effective, minimally invasive treatment approach — helping you find relief from symptoms and restore confidence in your legs.
Clinical Services
Specialized, multidisciplinary management of heart failure, cardiomyopathies, and advanced cardiac disease — combining guideline-directed medical therapy, cutting-edge device treatment, and compassionate long-term support to help patients live fuller, healthier lives.
What We Treat
Our advanced heart failure specialists manage the full spectrum of myocardial and cardiac pump dysfunction — from newly diagnosed heart failure to complex, refractory disease requiring advanced therapies.
The most recognized form of heart failure, in which the left ventricle loses its ability to contract effectively — ejection fraction falls below 40%, reducing cardiac output. HFrEF is treated with evidence-based quadruple therapy, device therapy, and close monitoring to slow progression and reduce hospitalizations.
A form of heart failure in which the ejection fraction remains normal but the ventricle becomes stiff and cannot relax properly, impairing filling. HFpEF is strongly associated with hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, and accounts for roughly half of all heart failure cases. Management targets underlying risk factors alongside symptomatic relief.
An enlargement and weakening of the left ventricle — the most common cardiomyopathy — that reduces pumping capacity and leads to heart failure. Causes include genetic mutations, viral myocarditis, alcohol, and chemotherapy. Early diagnosis enables disease-modifying therapy that can partially or fully reverse the condition in some patients.
A genetic condition in which the heart muscle abnormally thickens, particularly in the septum, potentially obstructing blood flow and increasing the risk of sudden cardiac death. Our HCM specialists provide comprehensive risk stratification, septal reduction therapy evaluation, and device therapy for high-risk patients.
An infiltrative disease in which abnormal amyloid protein deposits accumulate within the heart muscle, causing progressive stiffening and heart failure. Once considered rare and untreatable, both wild-type and hereditary ATTR amyloidosis now have approved disease-modifying therapies that halt or slow progression when diagnosed early.
End-stage heart failure in which the heart can no longer maintain adequate circulation despite optimal medical therapy. Our advanced heart failure team evaluates patients for temporary and permanent mechanical circulatory support, coordinates with transplant centers, and guides discussions about goals of care and palliative options.
Elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries places progressive strain on the right ventricle and can lead to right heart failure if untreated. Our specialists offer comprehensive evaluation — including right heart catheterization, ventilation-perfusion scanning, and advanced imaging — to classify pulmonary hypertension and deliver targeted therapies including pulmonary vasodilators, diuresis optimization, and coordinated care with pulmonology.
Comprehensive cardiac care across the full transplant continuum — from pre-transplant workup and candidacy evaluation to post-transplant surveillance, rejection monitoring, and long-term management of transplant vasculopathy and immunosuppression-related complications. Our team works in close coordination with transplant centers to support patients at every stage of their transplant journey.
Our Expertise
Our heart failure specialists deploy the full arsenal of guideline-directed therapies — from evidence-based medications and advanced device therapy to remote monitoring and coordinated multidisciplinary care — to optimize every patient's outcomes and quality of life.
The cornerstone of heart failure management. Evidence-based quadruple therapy — comprising ACE inhibitors or ARNi (sacubitril/valsartan), beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid antagonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors — has been shown to reduce mortality, hospitalizations, and disease progression in HFrEF. Our specialists individualize and optimize each patient's medication regimen at every visit.
Implantable pulmonary artery pressure sensors — such as the CardioMEMS device — transmit daily hemodynamic readings directly to our clinical team, allowing proactive medication adjustments before symptoms worsen or hospitalization becomes necessary. Remote monitoring has been shown to reduce heart failure hospitalizations by over 30% in clinical trials.
A biventricular pacemaker that coordinates the contraction timing of the left and right ventricles in heart failure patients with electrical dyssynchrony (wide QRS or LBBB). CRT improves symptoms, exercise tolerance, and ejection fraction — and in CRT-D form, also provides defibrillation protection against sudden cardiac death.
Patients with severely reduced ejection fraction (EF ≤ 35%) are at elevated risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. An ICD continuously monitors heart rhythm and delivers a therapeutic shock if VT or VF is detected. ICD therapy is a guideline-recommended standard of care for eligible heart failure patients and has dramatically reduced sudden cardiac death rates.
Fluid overload is the most common cause of heart failure hospitalization. Our specialists expertly titrate oral and intravenous diuretic regimens — including loop diuretics, thiazides, and acetazolamide combination strategies — to achieve and maintain optimal dry weight, relieve congestion, and preserve renal function simultaneously.
Secondary mitral and tricuspid regurgitation are common and debilitating complications of heart failure that worsen prognosis. Catheter-based repairs — including MitraClip for mitral regurgitation and TriClip for tricuspid regurgitation — can dramatically reduce valve leakage, improve symptoms, and reduce hospitalizations in heart failure patients who are not candidates for open surgery.
For patients with advanced or refractory heart failure unresponsive to optimal medical therapy, mechanical circulatory support devices — including intra-aortic balloon pumps, Impella, and left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) — can sustain or restore adequate cardiac output. Our team evaluates candidacy and coordinates care with transplant centers for patients who may benefit from durable MCS or heart transplantation.
Supervised cardiac rehabilitation is a guideline Class I recommendation for stable heart failure patients. Our structured programs combine medically supervised exercise training, nutritional counseling, medication education, and psychosocial support — improving functional capacity, quality of life, and reducing re-hospitalization rates in eligible patients.
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Our advanced heart failure specialists are ready to evaluate your condition and build a personalized treatment plan — combining the latest medical, device, and monitoring therapies to help you live better with heart failure.
Clinical Services
Comprehensive cardiac diagnosis and disease management without the need for catheters, contrast, or surgery — using advanced imaging, functional testing, and ambulatory monitoring to detect heart disease early, guide treatment decisions, and keep you ahead of cardiovascular risk.
What We Evaluate
Our non-invasive cardiologists evaluate a broad spectrum of cardiovascular conditions — using the most advanced imaging and monitoring technologies available to detect, characterize, and track heart disease at every stage.
Non-invasive imaging and functional stress testing identify the presence and severity of obstructive coronary artery disease — guiding decisions about medications, lifestyle changes, and whether invasive evaluation is warranted — without exposing patients to catheterization.
Echocardiography provides the definitive non-invasive assessment of all four heart valves — quantifying the severity of stenosis or regurgitation, tracking disease progression over time, and determining the optimal timing for intervention before irreversible cardiac damage occurs.
Echocardiography and cardiac MRI accurately measure ejection fraction, ventricular size, wall motion, and diastolic function — essential for diagnosing heart failure with reduced or preserved EF, characterizing cardiomyopathy subtypes, and monitoring response to treatment over time.
Ambulatory monitoring — from 24-hour Holter monitors to extended 30-day event recorders — captures infrequent heart rhythm disturbances that routine ECGs miss. Essential for evaluating palpitations, dizziness, pre-syncope, and unexplained fatigue with a suspected arrhythmic cause.
Chronic high blood pressure causes progressive structural changes to the heart — including left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, and aortic enlargement. Echocardiography and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring are key tools for detecting target organ damage and guiding blood pressure management.
Advanced prevention imaging — including coronary artery calcium scoring (CAC), carotid intima-media thickness, and ankle-brachial index — identifies subclinical atherosclerosis in patients who appear low-risk by standard criteria, enabling earlier, more targeted preventive therapy.
Our Expertise
Our non-invasive cardiology suite offers the full range of state-of-the-art cardiac imaging and diagnostic testing — providing the most complete picture of your heart's structure and function without a single incision.
The cornerstone of non-invasive cardiac imaging. High-frequency ultrasound waves create detailed real-time images of the heart's chambers, valves, wall motion, and pericardium. TTE assesses ejection fraction, detects structural abnormalities, and evaluates hemodynamics — all in a comfortable, radiation-free bedside examination.
Echocardiographic imaging performed before and immediately after treadmill or pharmacologic stress to reveal wall motion abnormalities that only appear during increased cardiac demand. Stress echo identifies coronary artery disease and assesses valve severity under physiologic conditions, offering superior diagnostic accuracy compared to standard stress testing alone.
Radiotracer-based imaging that maps blood flow through the heart muscle at rest and during stress. SPECT and PET myocardial perfusion imaging identify areas of ischemia or infarction with high sensitivity, guide revascularization decisions, and provide powerful prognostic information about future cardiac events.
A rapid, low-radiation CT scan that quantifies calcified plaque within the coronary arteries. A CAC score of zero confers a very low 10-year cardiovascular risk and may allow safe deferral of statin therapy, while elevated scores identify patients who benefit most from aggressive preventive intervention — even before symptoms develop.
A non-invasive CT scan that produces detailed three-dimensional images of the coronary arteries, revealing the presence and extent of both calcified and non-calcified plaque. CTCA has high negative predictive value for ruling out significant coronary disease, often obviating the need for invasive catheterization in intermediate-risk patients.
Extended heart rhythm recording worn during daily activities — from the standard 24–48 hour Holter monitor to 14- or 30-day patch monitors and external loop recorders. Ambulatory monitoring captures symptomatic and asymptomatic arrhythmias, correlates rhythm disturbances with patient-reported symptoms, and guides antiarrhythmic therapy decisions.
The classic cardiac stress test, in which a patient exercises on a treadmill at progressively increasing workloads while ECG, heart rate, and blood pressure are continuously monitored. The ETT assesses functional capacity, detects exercise-induced ischemia, evaluates exertional symptoms, and provides important prognostic data.
An advanced echo technique in which an ultrasound probe is passed into the esophagus to obtain high-resolution images of the heart from immediately behind it. TEE provides unparalleled views of the mitral valve, aorta, left atrial appendage, and intracardiac structures — critical for evaluating stroke, endocarditis, and guiding structural heart procedures.
The gold standard for precise, radiation-free assessment of cardiac structure, function, and tissue characterization. Cardiac MRI delivers unmatched detail on myocardial viability, infiltrative diseases such as cardiac sarcoidosis and amyloidosis, congenital heart defects, and pericardial disease. Late gadolinium enhancement sequences identify myocardial scar with exceptional accuracy — informing prognosis and guiding decisions on revascularization, device therapy, and ablation.
Advanced echocardiographic imaging used in real time to guide and support complex structural heart procedures. Our echocardiographers work alongside the interventional and electrophysiology teams in the catheterization laboratory, providing live intraprocedural imaging that is essential for precision device placement, leak assessment, and immediate outcome verification — without open surgery.
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Our non-invasive cardiologists are ready to evaluate your cardiovascular health with the most advanced diagnostic imaging and testing available — providing answers without the need for invasive procedures.
Clinical Services
Advanced diagnosis and treatment of the heart's electrical system — from life-threatening arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation to complex device therapy — delivered by a fellowship-trained electrophysiology team at the forefront of modern cardiac care.
What We Treat
Our electrophysiologists specialize in the full spectrum of heart rhythm disorders — from common arrhythmias to life-threatening electrical abnormalities requiring advanced device therapy or catheter-based intervention.
The most common serious heart arrhythmia, AFib occurs when the atria beat chaotically and irregularly instead of coordinating with the ventricles. It dramatically raises stroke risk and can cause debilitating symptoms including palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Our EP team offers the full range of rhythm control strategies.
A broad category of rapid heart rhythms originating above the ventricles, including AVNRT, AVRT, and atrial tachycardia. SVT often causes sudden episodes of racing heartbeat, dizziness, and chest discomfort. Most forms are highly curable with catheter ablation.
Potentially life-threatening arrhythmias originating in the lower chambers of the heart. VT and VF can degenerate into cardiac arrest if untreated. Management involves a combination of antiarrhythmic medications, ICD implantation, and catheter ablation targeting the arrhythmic circuit.
Conditions in which the heart's electrical conduction system fails to transmit signals properly, causing abnormally slow heart rates. Varying degrees of heart block — from first-degree to complete — can result in fatigue, syncope, and cardiac arrest, often requiring pacemaker implantation.
A regular but abnormally fast atrial rhythm caused by an electrical circuit looping within the right atrium. Atrial flutter is closely related to AFib, carries similar stroke risk, and typically responds extremely well to catheter ablation with high cure rates in a single procedure.
Our Expertise
Our electrophysiologists use the most advanced mapping and ablation technologies available to diagnose and treat heart rhythm disorders — from complex catheter-based ablations to sophisticated implantable device therapy.
The definitive diagnostic procedure for heart rhythm disorders. Electrode catheters are placed inside the heart to record electrical signals, measure conduction intervals, and deliberately induce arrhythmias in a controlled setting — precisely mapping the origin and mechanism of the rhythm problem to guide treatment.
A minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy or pulsed field ablation (PFA) to electrically isolate the pulmonary veins — the most common triggers of AFib — from the rest of the atrium. Guided by 3D electroanatomic mapping, ablation offers long-term rhythm control with a single procedure for many patients.
A minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure that permanently closes off the left atrial appendage — the small pouch in the heart where over 90% of stroke-causing clots form in AFib patients. By sealing this structure with an implantable device, LAAO offers a non-pharmacologic alternative to long-term blood thinners for patients who cannot tolerate anticoagulation therapy.
Catheter ablation for supraventricular tachycardias and atrial flutter targets the specific short circuit or abnormal focus responsible for the arrhythmia. Success rates exceed 95% for typical flutter and AVNRT, offering patients a definitive cure rather than lifelong medication dependence.
A small device implanted under the skin near the collarbone that continuously monitors heart rate and delivers electrical impulses when the heart beats too slowly or pauses. Modern pacemakers are MRI-compatible and can be remotely monitored. Leadless pacemakers — implanted entirely within the heart — are also available for select patients.
A device that continuously monitors heart rhythm and delivers a life-saving shock to restore normal rhythm if a dangerous arrhythmia such as VT or VF is detected. ICDs are the most effective therapy for preventing sudden cardiac death in high-risk patients, including those with reduced ejection fraction or prior cardiac arrest.
A specialized pacemaker that coordinates contractions between the left and right ventricles in patients with heart failure and electrical dyssynchrony (wide QRS). CRT-D devices combine resynchronization with defibrillation capability, improving symptoms, exercise capacity, and survival in appropriately selected heart failure patients.
Complex catheter ablation targeting the scar tissue within the ventricles that serves as the substrate for dangerous VT circuits. Using advanced 3D mapping and contact force-sensing catheters, our electrophysiologists can often eliminate VT in patients with structural heart disease who remain symptomatic despite medications and ICD shocks.
A tiny, minimally invasive cardiac monitor inserted just beneath the skin of the chest that continuously records the heart's rhythm for up to three years. Ideal for diagnosing infrequent arrhythmias, unexplained syncope, and cryptogenic stroke — automatically transmitting data to our clinical team via remote monitoring when abnormalities are detected.
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Our electrophysiology team is ready to evaluate your heart rhythm disorder and discuss all available treatment options — from lifestyle management and medications to the most advanced ablation and device therapies.
Clinical Services
Advanced catheter-based diagnosis and treatment of heart and vascular disease — delivering life-saving interventions with precision, minimal recovery time, and a deeply personalized approach to every patient's care.
Request an AppointmentWhat We Treat
Our interventional cardiologists are trained to diagnose and treat the full spectrum of cardiovascular disease — from acute coronary emergencies to complex structural and vascular conditions that require precision catheter-based therapy.
Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries due to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis), leading to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. Often the underlying cause of angina and heart attacks, CAD is one of the most common conditions we treat.
Commonly known as a heart attack, this occurs when blood supply to part of the heart is abruptly blocked. Immediate catheter-based intervention to restore blood flow — primary PCI — is the gold standard of emergency treatment and dramatically improves survival.
Dysfunction of the heart's valves — including aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, and other conditions — that impairs proper blood flow. Many valvular conditions can now be treated via minimally invasive catheter-based approaches without open-heart surgery.
Narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the limbs — most commonly the legs — causing pain, cramping, and in severe cases limb-threatening ischemia. Our specialists treat PAD through catheter-based angioplasty, stenting, and atherectomy techniques.
Abnormalities in the heart's physical architecture — including patent foramen ovale (PFO), atrial septal defects, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — that can be repaired or managed via sophisticated catheter-based structural heart procedures.
Chest pain or discomfort that occurs at rest or with minimal exertion, signaling a critically narrowed coronary artery at high risk of complete blockage. Urgent diagnostic catheterization and intervention are often required to prevent progression to heart attack.
Blood clots that form in the deep veins — most often in the legs — and that can break free and travel to the lungs, causing a potentially life-threatening obstruction of pulmonary blood flow. Rapid diagnosis and catheter-based intervention can restore circulation and prevent serious long-term complications including post-thrombotic syndrome and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
Our Expertise
Our interventional cardiologists perform the full spectrum of catheter-based procedures — combining the most advanced technology available with decades of specialized training to achieve the best possible outcomes for each patient.
The definitive imaging procedure to evaluate the coronary arteries. A thin catheter is guided to the heart via the wrist or groin, contrast dye is injected, and X-ray imaging reveals the precise location and severity of any arterial blockages — guiding all subsequent treatment decisions.
Also called coronary angioplasty, PCI uses a catheter-mounted balloon to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. In most cases a stent — a small wire mesh tube — is implanted to keep the artery open and restore normal blood flow without the need for open-heart bypass surgery.
A minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery for patients with severe aortic stenosis. A new valve is delivered via catheter and implanted within the diseased native valve, restoring normal blood flow. Patients typically recover in days rather than weeks.
A catheter-based repair for patients with significant mitral valve regurgitation who are at high risk for open surgery. A small clip is delivered to the mitral valve to reduce leakage and relieve symptoms of heart failure, dramatically improving quality of life.
Catheter-based treatment of blockages in the arteries of the legs, pelvis, and other peripheral vessels. Techniques include balloon angioplasty, stenting, and atherectomy (plaque removal) to restore circulation and relieve symptoms ranging from leg pain to critical limb ischemia.
Advanced intracoronary assessment tools used during catheterization to precisely measure the functional significance of a blockage (FFR) or obtain detailed cross-sectional imaging of the artery wall (IVUS). These guide optimal stent sizing and placement for superior outcomes.
A specialized technique for treating severely calcified coronary lesions that cannot be adequately dilated with balloon angioplasty alone. A high-speed rotating burr grinds away calcified plaque, restoring vessel compliance and enabling successful stent deployment.
A diagnostic procedure to directly measure pressures within the heart's right-sided chambers and pulmonary arteries. Invaluable in evaluating pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and valvular disease — providing hemodynamic data that cannot be obtained by non-invasive testing alone.
Minimally invasive catheter-directed therapies for deep venous thrombosis and acute pulmonary embolism — including catheter-directed thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy, and pharmacomechanical techniques. These approaches dissolve or remove dangerous clots directly at the site of obstruction, rapidly restoring venous and pulmonary blood flow and reducing the risk of long-term complications such as post-thrombotic syndrome and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
Get Started
Our interventional cardiologists are ready to evaluate your condition and discuss all available treatment options — from the most conservative to the most advanced catheter-based approaches.