Patients with blockages caused by coronary artery disease who are considered high risk for complex surgical or percutaneous (nonsurgical) revascularization often require urgent evaluation and our multidisciplinary “Heart Team” approach.
The Heart & Vascular Institute’s CHIP “Heart Team,” which reviews these highest-risk and most complex cases, includes interventional cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, advanced heart failure cardiologists, perfusionists, anesthesiologists, clinical cardiologists and electrophysiologists.
The CHIP “Heart Team,” guided by our coordinator, standardizes our approach to care for the sickest coronary patients with improved communication and coordination with our specialists.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
Patients with heart disease may undergo a procedure called PCI. During this nonsurgical procedure, also known as angioplasty, a heart doctor inflates a small balloon in the narrowed portion of the artery to reopen it and restore normal blood flow. Doctors then insert a small device called a stent through a catheter to open blood vessels. When PCI isn’t an option, patients are referred for heart surgery.
Protected PCI
If your doctor determines your heart disease is too severe for traditional PCI and too high risk for heart surgery, Protected PCI may be an option. During this PCI procedure, a mechanical circulatory support device temporarily assists the pumping function of the heart. The device typically is inserted through the large leg artery and advanced to the heart, ensuring that blood flow is adequately maintained to critical organs such as the brain, lungs, kidneys during a high-risk PCI procedure. It’s usually removed at the end of the procedure.
CHIP Program Details
The goal of our CHIP Program is to improve clinical outcomes by standardizing the evaluation of patients with complex, high-risk, severe coronary disease.
When evaluating a patient referred to the CHIP Program, the “Heart Team” meets for a multidisciplinary conference to review and discuss the patient’s condition. The team determines the optimal treatment plan depending on the patient’s coronary artery disease process, comorbidities and hemodynamic state.
The treatment plan may be:
- Surgical intervention.
- Conventional PCI.
- Protected PCI.
- Medical management.
Benefits of the Heart Team approach:
- Timely evaluation and multidisciplinary collaboration.
- Standardized clinical care algorithm.
- In-depth discussion among all caregivers on how to proceed safely and efficiently with patient procedures and treatment.
- Enhanced communication to the referring physician regarding treatment plan and post-procedural care.
For more information or questions, please contact the CHIP Program Coordinator: