Maury Regional Heart Services

Surgical services provided by Vanderbilt Heart

As southern Middle Tennessee's only Heart Center, Maury Regional provides a comprehensive array of cardiac services and is an accredited chest pain center. From interventional procedures to our partnership with Vanderbilt Heart to provide cardiothoracic surgery, we have a highly skilled and experienced team that strives to achieve the best possible outcomes. Below is a list of the services offered in our Heart Center:

Interventional Services

The cardiac catheterization laboratory allows the experienced cardiologists on our medical staff to investigate heart conditions with amazing accuracy.  The physicians have the expertise to treat heart conditions and perform interventional procedures—such as angioplasty and stenting—to prevent heart attacks and are assisted by our highly trained nursing and radiologic staff.

Internal cardiac defibrillator and pacemaker procedures are performed when patients need assistance controlling their heart rate or rhythm. Performing these procedures in the catheterization laboratory eliminates the need for an operating room and expedites recovery time.

In addition, numerous peripheral vascular procedures can be performed to treat blockages in blood vessels outside of the heart.

Surgical Services

When heart surgery is needed, an experienced heart surgeon and a highly skilled surgical team are complemented by the latest technology and equipment available. Surgeons from Vanderbilt Heart perform all the operations including coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repairs and replacements, aortic aneurysm repairs, arrhythmia surgery, as well as lung and esophagus surgery. Vanderbilt Heart provides two cardiothoracic surgeons for each heart surgery at Maury Regional Medical Center. The Heart Center consistently performs endoscopic (minimally invasive) vein harvesting for bypass surgery, eliminating the need for an extensive incision in the leg. The Vanderbilt surgeons at Maury Regional Medical Center perform minimally invasive valve surgery, just as they do at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Pulmonary & Critical Care Services

Maury Regional Medical Center's comprehensive pulmonary services for heart patients include a laboratory where cardiopulmonary stress testing, pulmonary function tests, physiological monitoring, pharmacological stress tests, exercise tolerance evaluations and pulmonary education are performed.

Maury Regional Medical Center offers 24 critical care beds among three critical care units: Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Critical Care Unit (CCU) and Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). Physicians specializing in critical care and a nursing staff trained in critical care are available to provide 24-hour care. A cardiovascular step-down and an intensive care step-down unit are additional components of critical care for patients requiring a less acute level of care.

Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Maury Regional has designed a comprehensive cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program aimed at getting patients back to normal activities as quickly and safely as possible. The program combines monitored exercise with education for people who have had a heart attack, a cardiac surgery or procedure, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation includes education concerning risk factors, medications, breathing exercises, stress management, and other heart- and lung-related topics. Rehabilitation is provided under a physician’s written order and may be scheduled by calling 931.380.4094.

To learn more about cardiac rehabilitation, click here.

To learn more about pulmonary rehabilitation, click here.

Congestive Heart Failure

Many individuals who have had a coronary event may be at risk or have congestive heart failure, a chronic condition in which the heart muscle gets progressively weaker and is unable to pump effectively to meet the body's need for blood and oxygen.

Heart failure can be a serious, long-term condition; however, with proper treatment and by making necessary changes in diet, exercise and lifestyle, patients can live full lives of the highest quality possible. 

• Sudden weight gain (three or more pounds in one day, five or more pounds in one week, or what amount you were told to report)
• Shortness of breath not related to exercise or exertion
• Increase swelling of the lower limbs (legs or ankles)
• Swelling or pain in the abdomen
• Trouble sleeping (waking up short of breath, using more pillows)
• Frequent dry, hacking cough
• Increased fatigue

Get in touch with your doctor right away if any of these warning signs appear. If caught early, these symptoms may only require an adjustment in medication by your physician.

Post all phone numbers for your primary care physician and cardiologist by the telephone, along with a complete list of current medications, any other medical conditions and allergies.

For more information, visit the American Heart Association Web site at www.hearthub.org/hc-heart-failure.htm.

Mended Hearts Volunteers

A local chapter of Mended Hearts, a national non-profit organization affiliated with the American Heart Association, provides support to patients scheduled for heart surgery as well as their family members. Mended Hearts volunteers listen, share their own experiences, learn from health care professionals and volunteer to talk to other heart patients about what they may face, including lifestyle changes, depression, recovery, and treatment. For more information about Mended Hearts, call 931.380.4047.