Alta Bates Summit Medical Center continues to receive recognition for it's outstanding Cardiovascular Services.

• Our List of "Firsts"
• Team Accomplishments
• Awards of Distinction

Our List of "Firsts"

We were the first in the East Bay to perform the following breakthrough cardiovascular technologies:

• 2003: ASD & PFO Amplatzer Closure Devices used for Congenital Heart Disease
• 2003: Robotic Assisted Heart Surgery
• 2002: Laser Surgery for Coronary Artery Disease (TMR: Transmyocardial Revascularization)
• 2001: One of the first centers to offer surgery for Atrial Fibrillation: MAZE Procedure with Bipolar radiofrequency
• 2000: Ultrasound mapping of the radial arteries for coronary bypass surgery.
• 1999: First implant in the United States of a permanent pacing lead with an energy-efficient design that maximizes pacemaker battery life (Sweet Picotip Rx).
• 1998: First implant worldwide of an AICD lead which reduces the energy required to pace and defibrillate the heart (Endotak Picotip).
• 1997: Use of ACS Multi-link stent. Now the most widely used in the world.
• 1996: Minimally invasive coronary bypass procedure (keyhole surgery).
• 1996: Minimally invasive vein harvesting. Summit was the 2nd center in the U.S. and the 1st on the West Coast.
• 1996: First U.S. implant of a permanent pacemaker lead which maintains a low threshold to conserve energy (Sweet tip Rx).
• 1993: Coronary bypass performed without the use of a bypass machine: Beating Heart Surgery
• 1993: Rotablator System used to actually remove plaque from inside coronary arteries.
• 1991: Excimer laser system for treatment of blocked heart arteries.
• 1991: Radiofrequency ablation therapy to correct abnormal heart rhythms.
• 1986: Automatic Implantable Cardio Defibrillator (AICD) to prevent lethal irregular heartbeats.
• 1986: Used directional atherectomy to remove plaque from coronary arteries and bypass grafts.
• 1986: Balloon repair to heart valves.
• 1982: Introduced electrophysiology studies to assess treatment for irregular heartbeats, an important step leading to the development of the Automatic Implantable Defibrillator.
• 1982: Balloon angioplasty, an alternative to open-heart surgery to blocked arteries.
• 1979: West Coast’s first peripheral angioplasty using a balloon-tipped catheter to reopen, without surgery, the blood supply to the legs.
• 1970: Coronary bypass surgery.
• 1961: Open heart surgery to repair heart defects.

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Team Accomplishments

Our cardiologists and cardiac surgeons are nationally recognized leaders for these and other accomplishments:

• Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program: Developed services for adults born with heart problems.
• Comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: Established the Bay Area’s first cardiac rehab program at the YMCA in 1971; the on-site program started in 1983.
• Open Heart Surgery: We performed the East Bay’s first adult open-heart procedure in 1961.
• TIMI IV (Therapeutic Infusion of Myocardial Infarction): One of first centers in nation to conduct studies/research on clot dissolving drugs.
• Harvard Medical School Research: The Alta Bates Campus was one of only four national sites selected to do research in conjunction with Harvard Medical School.
• Vascular Stent: The Summit campus was the first East Bay medical center to use the newly developed vascular stent in 1991.
• Beating Heart Surgery: Performed the first Coronary Bypass Surgery without the use of a heart-lung bypass machine.
• Minimally Invasive Vein Harvesting: First center on the West Coast and second in the U.S. to perform this procedure in 1996.
• Electrophysiology: Introduced EP studies in 1982 to access treatment for irregular heartbeats, an important step leading to the development of the AICD.
• AICD: First worldwide implant of an AICD lead, which reduces the energy required to pace and defibrillate the heart.

To get specific information about each of our doctors, go to our Physician Search Tool.

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Awards of Distinction

CARDIOVASCULAR

Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care – 2009
Blue Cross/Blue Shield

Get With the Guidelines Coronary Artery Disease
Gold Sustained Performance Award – 2009
American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

Get With the Guidelines Heart Failure
Silver Sustained Performance Award – 2009
American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

Platinum-Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company – 2008
American Heart Association

Award for High Reliability in Heart Failure Care
VHA, Inc.

Cardiac Receiving Center
Alameda County Emergency Medical Services Agency
Stemi Receiving Center for Contra Costa County

Better than Expected Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery
Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
Pacific Business Group


STROKE

Primary Stroke Center Certification
The Joint Commission

Get With the Guidelines Stroke
Silver Performance Award – 2007
Gold Performance Award – 2008
Gold Sustained Performance Award – 2009
American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

Five-Star Rated for the Treatment of Stroke – 2005 to 2009
HealthGrades


Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for
Treatment of Stroke – 2008
HealthGrades

Specialty Excellence Award™ for Stroke Care – 2007/2008
HealthGrades

Freddie Award
International Health and Medical Media Awards

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