SW General unveils $3 million dollar expansion of its Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Nuclear Medicine space, ­­ debuting an Electrophysiology program which represents an entirely new cardiac service line available for the first time on the city’s South Side.

Southwest General Hospital, the only hospital located in San Antonio’s southwest sector, has unveiled and is now seeing patients in its recently completed $3 million construction and renovation initiative that adds a new Electrophysiology Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, increased capability for the existing Cardiac Cath Lab, a renovated and an enlarged Nuclear Medicine space. The expansion includes enhanced capabilities, expanded space, new technology, a new treatment option and a new Electrophysiology physician. Southwest General Hospital is the first to offer Electrophysiology on the city’s South Side. The expansion also provides for a full-time, on-site Electrophysiologist.

Electrophysiology is a specialized branch of cardiology that looks at the electrical system of the heart, allowing for the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders such as Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Flutter and other forms of cardiac arrhythmia. An estimated 3.4 million people in the United States have Atrial Fibrillation, the most common type of arrhythmia. People with atrial fibrillation are up to seven times more likely to have a stroke.

The new Electrophysiology Lab adds an estimated 1,360 square feet to Southwest General Hospital’s existing Cardiac Cath Lab and supplements the hospital’s existing state-of-the-art cardiac services.

Nearly 28 percent of San Antonio area deaths each year are attributed to cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the world and the nation’s number one killer. Cardiovascular disease accounts for nearly 801,000 deaths in the US. That’s about 1 of every 3 deaths in the US. About 2,200 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of 1 death every 40 seconds.

“Cardiology is among the most critical needs in our community and one of Southwest General’s key services lines,” said Southwest General’s CEO, Craig Desmond. “This expansion specifically addresses our patient population’s need for enhanced access to state-of-the-art cardiac care close to home. It means that if you have a heart attack or any other kind of cardiac event on San Antonio’s Southside, Southwest General Hospital has all the tools and the very best team in place to care for you.”

Southwest General’s new Electrophysiology Lab includes new advanced medical imaging technology that will provide 3-D visualization of the heart. The new technology will make it possible to create detailed maps of the heart to accurately assess where the irregular heart rhythms is originating and whether the patient requires medications, a pacemaker, a cardiac defibrillator, ablation or surgery.

Southwest General Hospital:

• Is designated as an accredited Chest Pain Center.
• The hospital works closely with San Antonio Fire Department and other Emergency Ambulance Systems to treat emergency cardiac events 24 hours, 7 days a week.
• Holds the Bronze Quality Award for stroke prevention from the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association.
• Offers the only mobile AngioScreen which takes vascular screening technology and services into communities throughout the region, providing immediate information about vascular health- including circulation, risk of heart disease, stroke and abdominal aorta aneurysm.

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