UCLA's clinical and research units in cardiothoracic surgery ensure that all patients - from the most routine to the most complex - have access to the best and most up-to-date care. Following are some of the key programs.
ADULT CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION LABORATORY: Helps diagnose and treat artery blockages through angioplasties and implanting stents, as well as providing intracoronary ultrasound to guide interventional therapies.
ADULT CARDIAC STRESS TESTING AND ECHOCARDIOLOGY LAB: Provides state-of-the-art cardiovascular diagnostic studies, including echocardiography, cardiopulmonary stress testing and colorflow imaging.
AHMANSON/UCLA ADULT CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE CENTER: Was established in 1991 to assist children with congenital heart disease who survive to adulthood.
AHMANSON/UCLA CARDIOMYOPATHY CENTER: Evaluates patients with heart failure and/or cardiomyopathy to establish etiology of disease, possible reversibility of left-ventricular dysfunction, optimal design of medical therapy and, when indicated, eligibility for cardiac transplantation.
CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA CENTER: Maps and ablates dangerous arrhythmias located in difficult-to-reach places, including behind the heart, with the assistance of state-of-the-art imaging. The center includes surgical teams to treat complex and refractory arrhythmias.
CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAM: Assists patients with cardiovascular disease, including those with recent heart attack, stable angina, coronary angioplasty, coronary bypass and other cardiac diagnoses, to return to healthy levels of activity through education and guided-exercise programs.
CARDIOVASCULAR CENTER: Provides integrated advanced-diagnostic and consultative care to patients with cardiac and vascular disorders. The center is focused on the patient and family to enhance the healthcare experience, improve efficiency and organize the medical/ surgical team to provide the best-possible cardiovascular care.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH LABORATORY AND UCLA ATHEROSCLEROSIS RESEARCH UNIT: Works to better understand and treat the major public-health problems of heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias, and to study the genetics of atherosclerosis.
CHOLESTEROL AND LIPID MANAGEMENT CENTER: Combines aggressive medical management and vitamin therapy with nutrition and exercise approaches to evaluate and treat lipid disorders.
DIVISION OF CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY: Performs complex repairs of pediatric and adult congenital heart defects. Repair and replacement of mitral valves, aortic valves and aortic aneurysms increasingly using minimally invasive and robotic approaches. Experienced surgeons place advanced cardiac-assist devices to support the failing heart, or replace the entire heart or heart and lungs. Centers of Excellence for arrhythmia, valvular, minimally invasive, thoracic aortic and coronary surgery have been established.
DIVISION OF PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY: Provides comprehensive evaluation and management for patients from fetal life through adolescence (and in some cases adulthood) with a wide range of congenital and acquired heart disease.
