Cardiology
Cardiology is the medical treatment of diseases of the heart and parts of the circulatory system. Cardiologists are the doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating these conditions.
Cardiovascular care in San Antonio
Your heart function lies at the core of your health and well-being. We work to ensure your heart functions as it should, so you can function as you want.
The Methodist Heart and Lung Institute features 24/7 in-house cardiologists that strive to provide Bexar County with continual access to comprehensive cardiovascular services, including the largest heart transplant and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) programs in South Texas.
Cardiovascular conditions we treat
Our team of experts provide care for a wide range of conditions, including:
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Aortic aneurysms/abdominal aortic aneurysms
- Angina (chest pain)
- Atherosclerosis
- Atrial septal defect (birth defect that causes a hole in the wall between the heart’s upper chambers)
- Cardiogenic Shock
- Cardiomyopathy (hereditary disease of the heart muscle)
- Carotid artery disease
- Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
- Chest pain
- Congenital heart abnormalities
- Heart failure and transplant
- Coronary artery disease
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs)
- Diabetes
- Diastolic dysfunction (stiff heart muscles)
- Heart attack
- Heart arrhythmia
- Heart murmurs
- Heart valve diseases
- High blood pressure
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Long Q-T syndrome (heart rhythm disorder causing fast, chaotic heartbeats)
- Mitral valve prolapse (improper valve closure between the upper and lower left chambers)
- Myocarditis (heart wall inflammation)
- Patent foramen ovale (hole between the upper chambers of the heart)
- Pericarditis (swelling of the membrane surrounding the heart)
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Rheumatic fever (disease resulting from inadequate treatment of strep throat or scarlet fever)
- Silent ischemia (restricted flow of oxygen-rich blood)
- Sudden cardiac arrest
- Syncope (fainting as a result of low blood pressure)
- Vascular disease
We offer the highest level of specialty care services ranging from the largest heart transplant and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) programs to the only aortic center in South and West Texas. We pride ourselves on providing the most comprehensive level of cardiovascular care for the most complex patients in Central and Southwest Texas.
For more information about our cardiovascular services, call us today at (210) 575-0386.
Cardiogenic shock
Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a life-limiting condition, occurring when your heart cannot pump enough blood to the vital organs in the body. CS most commonly happens as a result of a severe heart attack, but can also happen with a decline in cardiac function (such as acute or worsening heart failure). If not treated promptly, the condition can become fatal or cause serious complications.
The goal of the Methodist Hospital cardiogenic shock program is to provide a seamless transition of care for patients who can benefit from the use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices our program has to offer.
Patients referred to our program have a dedicated team of experts who take a multidisciplinary team-based approach to provide early activation and assessment. Our team provides tailored treatment plans to best suit the patient’s needs, including timely initiation of mechanical circulatory support and hemodynamic-guided management.
At Methodist Hospital, advanced treatment options are available when necessary to either temporarily support the heart as it recovers or to aid as a bridge to long-term therapies, such as heart transplantation. Methodist Heart and Lung Institute's distinctive ECMO program is the primary ECMO provider for one of the largest regions in Texas. Our program has been designated as an ECMO Center of Excellence, the most prestigious designation in critical care by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization.
Cardiogenic shock advanced treatment options
- Short-term MCS
- Intra-aortic balloon pump
- Impella (Percutaneous LVAD)
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenator support (ECMO)
- Impella RP/ Impella RP Flex
- ProtekDuo
- Destination therapies
- Durable MCS (Surgical LVADs)
- Heart transplantation
To speak to a Methodist Hospital cardiogenic shock clinician, please call (210) 575-SHOC (7462).
Specialized treatment centers and programs
Depending on your cardiovascular condition, we offer multiple treatment centers and programs designed to help you navigate your diagnosis, including:
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program
- Methodist Congenital Heart Institute
- Methodist Heart and Lung Institute Aortic Center
- Methodist Heart and Lung Institute Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center
- Methodist Heart and Lung Institute Heart Failure and Transplant Center
- Methodist Heart and Lung Institute Heart Valve Center
- Methodist Heart and Lung Institute Lung Center
- Methodist Heart and Lung Institute Vascular Center
Advanced technologies and procedures
- Convergent Maze procedure — Uses radiofrequency (heat) to produce lesions (scar tissue) to block abnormal electrical signals in the heart
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) — Form of life support used for babies, children and adults with life-threatening heart and/or lung problems
- Hybrid procedures — These procedures can combine surgeries so patients receive the benefits of multiple surgeries while only having to undergo the surgical process once
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillator — A new option for patients at risk for Sudden Cardiac Arrest
- Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device — A first-of-its-kind, proven alternative to long-term warfarin therapy for stroke risk reduction in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
- Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft (MICS–CABG) — This approach to a CABG procedure is performed using only a few small incisions in the chest, instead of having to open up the chest cavity for open heart surgery
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) — This is a minimally invasive procedure used to replace the aortic valve when it has narrowed or is failing to open properly.
- Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) — A minimally invasive treatment for patients with mitral regurgitation, this procedure is ideal for patients who are unable to undergo surgery but are experiencing adverse effects from a mitral valve leak
- Ventricular assist devices (VAD) — These devices take over the function of one of the ventricles in your heart, taking blood from the heart’s chambers and help pump it to the body, supporting the heart. There are two types:
- Left ventricular assist device
- Right ventricular assist device
Visiting Methodist Heart and Lung Institute
If you’re arriving for our cardiac rehab program, please proceed to the second floor of Methodist Plaza. This building is on the north side of Medical Drive across from Methodist Hospital. Methodist Heart and Lung Institute Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center is in suite 255.
For help checking in, stop by our information desks. The main desk is in the central tower by the front entrance. It’s open Monday through Friday, from 7:00am to 2:00pm. Our Garage 2 desk is by the ER entrance off Louis Pasteur Drive. It’s open daily from 7:00am to 9:00pm.
If you need to reach our ER, call (210) 575-4444. For patient information, call (210) 575-7100.
Parking at Methodist Heart and Lung Institute
The closest visitor parking is in the parking lot off Floyd Curl Drive and Medical Drive. You’ll find additional space in our three garages. We also provide valet parking. The service costs $8 per day, per visit.
Videos about our Cardiology services
"ECMO gave me my life back."
Justin Moreno was otherwise healthy and still in his 20s when he suddenly had signs of heart failure. Learn how ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation), the most advanced form of life-support, gave Justin a second chance.