P EACEHEA LTH SOUTHWE S T I S THE F I R S T AND
only hospital in the Portland/Vancouver area to implant a
new innovative therapy to treat lethal heart rhythms.
The S-ICD system, manufactured by Boston Scientific,
is the world’s first and only commercially available
subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator
(
S-ICD) used to treat patients at risk for sudden cardiac
arrest (SCA). SCA is a disease that kills nearly 400,000
patients in the United States annually.
Sudden cardiac arrest is an abrupt loss of heart function.
Most episodes are caused by the rapid or chaotic activity of
the heart, known as ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular
fibrillation. Recent estimates show that approximately
850,000
people in the United States are at risk for SCA.
The S-ICD System provides the same protection from
SCA as traditional ICDs. However, the S-ICD System sits
entirely just below the skin without the need for thin,
insulated wires—known as electrodes, or leads—to be
placed into the heart itself. This leaves the heart and blood
vessels untouched but protected. The procedure requires
just three small incisions.
“
The new S-ICD System is a breakthrough treatment
option for patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest,” says
Robert Swenson, MD, cardiologist at The Vancouver
Clinic. “The system’s innovative design is an important
alternative that eliminates the need for transvenous
leads into the heart.”
The S-ICD device and electrode are implanted
under the skin on the left side of the thorax.
The electrode is placed near the heart.
Breakthrough device keeps the
beat
2
SOUTHWEST
health
Healing
the heart
To learn more about
the S-ICD System,
or to watch a video
animation of the
procedure and patient
success stories, visit
swHeartCheck.org
.
Robert Swenson, MD
The Vancouver Clinic—
Cardiology
700
NE 87th Ave.,
Suites 210 and 230
Vancouver, WA 98664
360-882-2778
WALKING AT WESTFIELD
VANCOUVER MALL
Exercise in a comfortable,
safe environment beginning
at 7 a.m. each day!
Visit
www.westfield.com
/
vancouver/services
,
and
scroll down to the sneakers
for information. Be sure to
check with your physician
before beginning any
exercise program.
Your friends from
PeaceHealth Southwest
Medical Center will join you
at the Mall on
Valentine’s
Day, Thursday, Feb. 14
,
to
spread the love—and health
tips, a special gift and the
chance to enter a drawing
for a valuable prize! Stop
by our blood pressure kiosk
downstairs by Macy’s.
Beginning March 28,
we’ll be there on the last
Thursday of each month
with interesting information,
giveaways and prize
drawings.
GET ON THE INSIDE TRACK!