Heart specialists at University of Missouri Health Care provide outstanding cardiac care to adult and pediatric patients in the state of Missouri. One of the premier teaching hospitals in the Midwest, University Hospital has a first-rate medical staff and state-of-the-art technology.

University physicians were the first in mid-Missouri to perform open-heart surgery (1958), first to perform cardiac catheterization (1967), first to perform the world's first aortic valvuloplasty to correct aortic valve stenosis in neonates (1982), and first to offer cardiac ablation and many other innovative forms of therapy. University Hospital is the only hospital in mid-Missouri to achieve both national accreditation as a Chest Pain Center and to receive the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Successful Practice Award for treating patients with acute myocardial infarction. It is the only American College of Surgeons' Committee verified Level 1 Trauma Center in mid-Missouri.

In addition to these important firsts, heart specialists at University Hospital are attentive to the less-dramatic details that mean better patient care. For example, until recently cardiac catheterization patients had to remain immobile for eight hours after a procedure to prevent bleeding from the arterial access point. Now, University Hospital patients are able to walk and move around just two short hours after their catheterization, thanks to a new technique using collagen plugs to seal the artery. This innovative technology makes for a speedier and more comfortable recovery.

Nonsurgical and surgical treatments
Our cardiovascular specialists offer a full range of diagnostic and nonsurgical treatments for heart disease. Thanks to advanced imaging technology such as the Siemens MAGNETOM Avanto 1.5 Tesla MRI and the Siemens SOMATOM Definition 64-slice CT scanner, our interventional cardiologists provide faster and precise diagnosis to detect adult and pediatric congenital heart abnormalities as well as precise identification of the causes of heart failure. Some more common diagnostic tests and nonsurgical treatments include:

• Cardiac catheterization
• Echocardiography
• EKG
• Electrophysiology studies
• Holter monitoring and cardiac event monitoring
• Nuclear tests
• Transesophageal echocardiography
• Stress testing

For patients who need heart surgery, University Hospital offers one of the state's most active cardiothoracic referral centers. Surgeons perform more than 1,200 surgeries each year. These include procedures for pulmonary, esophageal, congenital and acquired cardiac defects; thoracic and vascular trauma; cardiac conduction disorders; and endoscopy.

Recently retired pediatric cardiologist Zuhdi Lababidi, MD, is world renowned and the first in the world to perform aortic valvuloplasty in neonates to correct aortic valve stenosis. Today, our pediatric cardiologists continue the tradition of treating pediatric patients with congenital or acquired heart problems.

Patients who require stroke care are seen by neurologists at University Hospital. Our Missouri Stroke Program recently earned the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers. This national recognition means better outcomes and specialized care for stroke patients.

Rehabilitation services
Fit for Life provides cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation and prevention programs for patients during their hospital stay and after they return home. To learn more about our Fit for Life program, click here.

Outpatient nutrition services
Registered dietitians are available to provide nutrition counseling, or medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for a variety of health conditions including, but not limited to, diabetes mellitus, renal disease, overweight and obesity, and disorders of lipid metabolism. Our dietitians can develop a customized plan to help patients learn to prevent disease progression and manage their health through diet and exercise. A physicians' referral is required. Click here for more information or please call (573) 884-8425.

Cardiovascular outreach
Our Cardiovascular Outreach Program makes "hospital calls" with a van of specialized equipment. The medical team includes a cardiologist, a cardiology nurse and an ultrasonographer. Services include cardiology consultation, echocardiography and stress testing. The outreach program currently serves patients in six different locations throughout Missouri.

Heart specialists
To learn about our cardiovascular medicine physicians, click here.
To learn about our cardiothoracic surgeons, click here.
To learn about our pediatric cardiologists, click here.

Appointments
To schedule an appointment with one of our cardiovascular medicine specialists, please call (573) 882-8788.