Banner Cardiovascular: Care

Advanced Cardiac Diagnostic Center, Combining Leading-Edge Imaging and Genomic Medicine
Initiative Goal: $20 million
Banner envisions creating a multidisciplinary Advanced Cardiac Diagnostic Imaging Center that unites our expert practitioners, scientists, and technologists to support patient care, research, and education. Centrally located in the Phoenix area, the Center will offer leading edge imaging modalities and professional services to identify heart disease early and quickly, with the goal of improving cardiac health in our community. Patients will benefit from the latest advances in Precision Medicine including individual risk assessment, advanced diagnostic imaging techniques, and complete navigation throughout our specialized services offering personalized interventions.

Equipped with the latest coronary CT, stress PET, MRI, and PET MRI technologies, the Center will develop protocols and support research defining the importance of early detection through non-invasive cardiac imaging. This approach allows physicians to identify the beginnings of heart disease much earlier in the coronary arteries and heart structures, leading to quicker intervention and prevention of disease progression. With real-time answers to complex cardiac problems and follow-up to evaluate efficacy of recommended treatments, non-invasive imaging is safer, faster, and more accurate than invasive procedures.

Focused on patients with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of an inherited cardiovascular disease such as cardiomyopathies, arrhythmic disorders, vascular disorders and lipid disorders, Banner’s genomic testing will provide lifesaving prevention interventions. Genomic testing will foster discovery around whether an alteration in one or more genes could disrupt inherited heart conditions. Physicians and genetics professionals will collaborate to perform rigorous phenotyping combined with gathering a comprehensive family history to identify individuals with previously unidentified significant risk and swiftly intervene. Genetic counseling for patients and families will foster shared and informed decision-making regarding treatment. Pharmacogenetics will also be reviewed to guide the most efficacious cardiovascular drug therapies.

Through a series of questionnaires, lab tests, genetic testing, and diagnostic imaging, individual patient risk will be stratified to indicate chances of a cardiovascular event such as heart attack or stroke. A scoring system will help patients make lifestyle changes or take medications to prevent or slow the progression of heart disease.

The Center will also serve as a hub for training new generations of researchers and clinicians through fellowships and clinical trials. Rapid advances mean fellowship programs for clinicians are desperately needed to provide enough physicians to meet growing demand. Hosting fellows will afford opportunities to continually advance the field through research.

Advanced Structural Heart Center
Initiative Goal: $10 million
Demand for valvular and structural heart disease care is expected to grow over the next 10 years as our population ages and heart disease becomes more prevalent. Banner envisions expanding the capacity and talent of its multidisciplinary Structural Heart Center to provide comprehensive management of the most complex structural heart issues through minimally invasive techniques, simplifying the continuum of care from initial diagnosis to appropriate intervention—all with the goal of improving cardiovascular health in our community.

While an estimated 10% of Americans over age 70 have heart valve issues, 60% of people with heart valve disease have no symptoms or do not recognize the symptoms—making coordinated care by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals key to early identification and successful treatment of structural heart issues. Valvular heart disease occurs when the valves in the heart no longer function as well as they should, impeding the proper flow of blood through the heart.

In the past, treatment for these issues required surgery; however, many can now be treated through minimally invasive procedures that focus on improving the function of the heart valve without the impact, risks, and recovery associated with major surgery. These procedures include Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), where the aortic valve is replaced through a small catheter inserted in an artery; Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement and Repair (TMVR, TEER), where the mitral valve is replaced or repaired through a small catheter inserted in a vein. Other diseases may also be managed through minimally invasive treatments to amend the structures of the heart, including Left Atrial Appendage Opening Closure (LAAOC), in which the left atrial appendage, a small pocket located in the top left chamber of the heart, is sealed off using specialized medical materials to help prevent blood clots from forming during atrial fibrillation. Banner performs routine structural valve procedures throughout its tertiary centers. With the investment in the technology, talent and specialized device partnerships necessary for the Advanced Structural Valve Center, Banner will have the capability to manage the most complex cases in our community.

Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Center
Initiative Goal: $10 million
The prevalence of heart failure is expected to grow to over 8.5 million Americans by 2030. Currently, about 10% of people over age 65 have heart failure and this number is expected to grow with our aging population. Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the needs of the organs in the body. Often called Congestive Heart Failure, the condition may be further defined as being right- or left-sided heart failure. Management of heart failure includes medications, lifestyle changes, and minimally invasive treatments such as implanted monitors that identify changes in heart function early and allow for quick interventions.

We envision conducting phase 3 clinical trials for advanced devices, including the Total Artificial Heart and Structural Heart Valves.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygen, or ECMO, is a form of life support used for babies, children, and adults with life-threatening heart and/or lung problems. ECMO gives the body time to rest and recover by doing the work of the heart and lungs. While this care is available at our academic medical centers, expansion of ECMO services across the Banner Health system will bring this life-saving technology to more patients and save additional lives.

Vascular Center
Initiative Goal: $10 million
Some 8 million Americans suffer with some form of vascular disease and as many as 50% of those with disease experience no symptoms—highlighting the importance of early identification and intervention. The prevalence of diabetes and heart disease in our communities will result in higher demand for vascular disease care over the next decade.

Vascular disorders occur when the blood vessels become narrowed due to atherosclerosis or weaken and become less resilient which affects the ability to distribute blood through the body to the organs and back to the heart to pick up oxygen. Once requiring major surgery with its associated risks and recovery, today, minimally invasive treatments for vascular disorders disease focus on improving the flow of blood without surgery. Percutaneous angioplasty allows for visualization of the inside of the arteries and the ability to repair narrowing to allow blood to flow more freely to the extremities. Minimally invasive techniques can also decrease the size of veins and assist in improving their function.

Philanthropic investment will allow Banner to scale its current offerings across our integrated health system, making this specialized care available to more Arizonans.

Rhythm Disorder Center
Initiative Goal: $10 million
An estimated 3 million to 6 million Americans have atrial fibrillation and an estimated 10% of people will deal with an abnormal heart rhythm during their lifetime. Heart Rhythm Disorders occur when the electrical system of the heart does not follow the normal pathway. The electrical system in the heart drives the pumping function so when the pathway is abnormal, sometimes the overall ability of the heart to pump blood is affected. Most of the abnormal pathways can be corrected through minimally invasive procedures if medications are not helpful.

A multidisciplinary Heart Rhythm Center will provide a comprehensive approach to managing all aspects of heart rhythm disorders. Minimally invasive treatments for heart rhythm disorders focus on correcting the abnormal pathway by blocking the pathway or implanting a device to control the heart rhythm. These techniques include percutaneous ablation therapy, where the physician uses heat or extreme cold through a small catheter in the vein to eliminate the abnormal pathway; placement of a pacemaker under the skin to regulate the heart rhythm; and the implantable defibrillator, a device that will deliver a very small but sufficient shock to the heart to reboot it out of an abnormal, life-threatening rhythm is implanted through a small catheter in the vein.