Cardiology

Our cardiologists welcome consultations with heart specialists as well as primary care providers throughout the state of Florida.  We consider our services a subspecialty extension to other physician offices, primarily because our cardiac care services represent the most comprehensive available. Offering services from evaluation of cardiac function to comprehensive risk factor management, heart failure management and all phases of heart transplantation, LifeLink has made certain every possible option is available to cardiac patients. We invite you to review our most recent Report to the Community.

Utilizing a team approach to treatment, we interweave basic lifestyle modification, cutting-edge diagnostic techniques and the most contemporary pharmacologic and catheter intervention services available.  Our goal is to significantly extend and improve the quality of patients’ lives. 

Heart Failure Management

As the #1 reason for Medicare-patient hospital admissions, heart failure is frighteningly common in our country. Characterized by shortness of breath and fluid retention due to an abnormality of heart function, heart failure is progressive when untreated. Its destruction knows no bounds, causing disabilities and impairing quality and quantity of life.  But patients suffering with heart failure have treatment options, and LifeLink’s cardiologists are dedicated to making those options accessible to everyone within the community.

Medical management is one option for LifeLink patients suffering with heart failure.  Drugs including ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, vasodilators and anticoagulants may be prescribed, and patients will be followed closely by our team of specialists.

Interventional procedures may be indicated for some patients.  These could include:

• percutaneous coronary angioplasty

• coronary stenting

• coronary atherectomy.
  

Other therapies may include arrhythmia treatments (such as medications, defibrillators, or pacemakers) or ventricular resynchronization.

When cardiac surgery is indicated, LifeLink cardiologists work with a team of the finest cardiothoracic surgeons in the country, who specialize in the most advanced procedures including:

• Coronary artery bypass surgery

• Valve surgery

• Ventricular remodeling

• Ventricular assist device implantation

• Heart transplantation.

Women’s Heart Disease

Heart disease risk factors and symptoms differ between men and women.  At LifeLink, Dr. Debbie Rinde-Hoffman has a special interest in preventing the development of clinical heart disease in women and frequently provides community education on the topic.

Drs. Hoffman is experienced in the treatment of women with heart disease, placing focus on reducing the incidence of cardiac events, decreasing the need for invasive procedures and increasing the quantity and quality of life in these patients.

At LifeLink, family-oriented education and support for developing a healthy lifestyle become part of the treatment program.  Our cardiologists’ breadth of experience allows them to provide age-appropriate care to women – an important factor since heart disease risks increase as women get older. 

Non-Transplant Clinical Research

LifeLink HealthCare Institute's involvement in the Heartmate II LVAS clinical trial has proved quite gratifying. As a result of Thoratec's newest ventricular assist device, individuals unready or ineligible for transplant have options beyond pharmacological management.

The study consists of two arms: patients who require additional lead time prior to receiving a heart transplant and patients who, because of other illnesses, are not candidates for transplant. The HeartMate II represents a new era in long-term mechanical circulatory support. The device is fully implantable, and designed to last 5-8 years. Recipients may be discharged home and may resume active lives.

HealthCare Institute cardiologists also serve as principal investigators for approximately three drug studies involving immunosuppression. In these studies, the use of corticosteroids, Thymoglobulin and Sirolimus are being reviewed, while two studies related to treatment for Congestive Heart Failure are also ongoing.

Click here for more information regarding clinical trials.

For Patients