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Putting Cardiac Arrest on Ice

Putting Cardiac Arrest On Ice

Washington University physicians at Barnes-Jewish Hospital are now using therapeutic hypothermia to treat some cardiac arrest patients.

Cardiac arrest stops the heart from delivering oxygen to all parts of the body. Because the brain is very sensitive to a lack of oxygen, brain injury is common in cardiac arrest even if the person is resuscitated.

At Barnes-Jewish, clinicians treat some cardiac arrest patients by inserting a catheter that circulates cold saline, which lowers blood temperature about 7 degrees. Research finds more positive neurological outcomes with this method.

Less Invasive Valve Surgery

A highly specialized approach to open heart surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University allows those with mitral heart valve problems to recover faster with less pain and smaller scars through a minimally invasive procedure called a mini-thoracotomy. Find out more in this video.

  • A highly specialized approach to open heart surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University allows those with mitral heart valve problems to recover faster with less pain and smaller scars through a minimally invasive procedure called a mini-thoracotomy. Find out more in this video.
  • Ventricular Assist Devices help heart failure patients survive while either waiting for a donor heart … or helping a failing heart beat instead of receiving a transplant.
  • Atrial fibrillation is the most common of heart arrhythmias and a procedure developed at Barnes-Jewish to eliminate it called Cox-Maze is performed on over 10,000 patients a year.
  • Overview of heart transplant services at Barnes-Jewish Hospital