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opening blocked arteries in the heart

Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH) has received state approval to perform elective percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), a non-surgical procedure used to open blocked arteries in the heart.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) granted BMH a Certificate of Need after reviewing the hospital’s application and determining it met the required criteria to perform non-emergent PCIs.

DHEC had authorized BMH to perform emergency PCIs on patients suffering the most dangerous type of heart attacks in 2013. Since then, the hospital has been averaging 70 of the life-saving procedures each year, earning numerous national achievement awards for its cardiac care.

Starting in mid-May, Beaufort Memorial will be able to provide non-emergent PCIs as well. The hospital’s three interventional cardiologists had been traveling to Charleston to perform the cardiac interventions in medical centers approved for non-emergent PCIs.

“Now, patients can have the procedure done right here, close to home,” said Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley. “It’s a much-needed service we’re excited to finally be able to provide to the community in our own Cochrane Heart Center.”

Beaufort Memorial opened the heart center in 2003, initially offering diagnostic catheterizations. Each year, it averages about 400 of the procedures, used to assess the presence and severity of coronary heart disease, as well as other issues of the heart.

PCI is the recommended, non-surgical method used to open narrowed arteries that supply the heart with blood (coronary arteries). During a PCI, a catheter is inserted into the blood vessel to clear the clot and restore blood flow to the heart. A stent may be used to stabilize the artery and prevent it from closing again. Elective PCI can be used to relieve or reduce angina, prevent heart attacks, alleviate congestive heart failure, and allow some patients to avoid invasive surgical treatment like coronary artery bypass surgery.

To receive state approval to perform non-emergent PCIs, a hospital must provide evidence it will perform a minimum of 200 PCIs over a period of three years.

“Based on the number of diagnostic catheterizations we perform today and the projected growth of the community, we expect to provide more than 200 elective PCIs a year,” said Associate Vice President of BMH Cardiac and Imaging Services Daniel Mock. “Since we’re already performing emergent PCIs, we have the staff, equipment and facilities in place to get the program up and running in just a few weeks.” 

In addition to catheterization procedures, the Cochrane Heart Center offers nuclear/thallium imaging, echocardiography, exercise stress testing/EKG and Holter monitoring. Learn more about Beaufort Memorial’s heart services or call 843-522-7700.