Latest news with #JohnCatanzaro
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
ECU Health enhances heart care with two new technologies
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — The ECU Health Medical Center is expanding heart care with two new technologies for transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement. The new technologies are EVOQUE™, a first-of-its-kind transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement, and TriClip G4™, a minimally invasive clip procedure designed to reduce tricuspid valve leakage. With these new technologies, patients who were previously ineligible for surgery, will now be provided symptom relief and improved quality of life. 'These new procedures represent a major advancement in the treatment of tricuspid valve regurgitation, offering hope to patients who previously had limited options,' Section Chief, Interventional Cardiology, Director, Cardiac Catheterization Lab, East Carolina Heart Institute, Dr. Paul Mahoney said. 'With the EVOQUE valve replacement and the TriClip G4, we can now provide effective, minimally invasive solutions that reduce symptoms and improve heart function without the need for open-heart surgery. This is a significant step forward in improving outcomes and quality of life for patients with TR.' With treatment options being limited, these new technologies will allow patients to have access to innovative and minimally invasive options that can help to improve heart function and overall well-being. 'It is critical that patients in eastern North Carolina have access to the latest innovations in heart care close to home, so they do not have to travel far for cutting-edge treatment options,' said Dr. John Catanzaro, John 'Jack' Rose Distinguished Professor and Chief of the Division of Cardiology at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, and Director of the East Carolina Heart Institute at ECU Health Medical Center. 'Our commitment to bringing the most advanced cardiac treatments to this region ensures that patients receive high-quality, life-changing care without unnecessary delays or burdens. I am proud of our heart and vascular care teams who continue to advocate for patients in our region and ensure they receive world-class treatment right here at ECU Health.' To learn more about ECU Health Heart & Vascular Care, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
ECU Health offers remote healthcare access for cardiology patients
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — ECU Health plans to begin seeing cardiology patients remotely as some people have to travel an hour or more for their appointments. 'So, our first pilot is going to be in Edenton and we've started our first few sessions where we're actually able to communicate with the patients,' Chief of the Division of Cardiology at ECU Health Dr. John Catanzaro said. 'And using technology such as Iron Bow, we're actually able to not only communicate with the patients and talk to them but actually have a way to measure their heart rate and pulse.' The care the patients receive will be coordinated from nurses at the ECU Health Chowan Hospital while a cardiologist meets with them virtually from Greenville. 'The whole realm of cardiology services that they would get just as if they were seeing the provider right in the clinic,' Manager of Patient Care Services of the Outpatient Specialty Clinics at ECU Health Chowan Hospital Kelli Joco said. 'So, they get to see, you know, with heart monitors to where for several weeks, if that's needed, we're able to get them and coordinate all the other care that they may need.' Patients have enjoyed having new access to health care, and ECU Health is hoping to expand this program. 'Like I said, with our first clinic with three patients and we've had six clinics so far,' Joco said. 'We've seen a total of 30 patients and some of them have even been as early as we are in the program, have even been follow up visits, not just new patients that are being seen for the first time.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Eastern N.C. heart expert talks risk factors, symptoms during Heart Health Awareness Month
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — February is Heart Health Awareness Month and medical professionals in Eastern N.C. are advising people on symptoms to look out for. 'Symptoms can be very vague. They can differ in men and women,' Chief of the Division of Cardiology at ECU Health Dr. John Catanzaro said. 'So, chest pain, per se, can be felt differently in men or women. But, other additional symptoms really include chest pain or shortness of breath on exertion.' Physical stress and high blood pressure are some of the main factors that can lead to heart problems. 'That tends to make the wall of the heart thicker and can also make the wall of the heart stiffer,' Dr. Catanzaro said. 'If the wall of the heart is either stiffer, it's not able to fill as much. So, therefore, it's not going to pump enough blood out.' Dr. Catanzaro said people in Eastern N.C. have a higher risk for heart disease. 'Diet control and diet modifications are only affordable because as we only know these days, it's, it's very costly to live healthy and in patients with lower socioeconomic status and or lower access to hospital,' he said. 'In the 22 counties, what we're seeing is actually an age-adjusted elevation of younger patients getting heart disease. So, there's not only an increase in heart disease, but there's an increase in heart disease amongst younger patients and a lot of it is really not only genetic, but can be avoidable.' He said knowing your family history, more exercise and a lower alcohol intake can all be important. 'The way to empower patients is to inform them and having a knowledge of things that you can reverse and things that you can't reverse, meaning risk factors,' Dr. Catanzaro said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
