Evidence-Based Treatment for Congestive Heart Failure

The South Texas Advanced Cardiac Care (STACC) program is a joint effort between South Texas Health System Heart and the Heart Clinic. STACC is dedicated to providing innovative, evidence-based treatment for congestive heart failure at several convenient locations in the Rio Grande Valley.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood through the body to meet its needs for blood and oxygen. This weakening (it's not literally 'failure') of the heart's pumping ability may cause:

  • Blood and fluid to collect in the lungs
  • Fluid to collect in the feet, ankles and legs, causing swelling (edema)
  • Fatigue and shortness of breath

Walking, climbing stairs or carrying groceries can be difficult for someone with heart failure.

To find a doctor who specializes in heart failure, call South Texas Health System Clinics at 855-822-2778.

Heart Failure Causes

The causes of CHF include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Congestive heart failure is more common in people who have had a heart attack, people who are 65 and older and African Americans. Men are more likely to have congestive heart failure than women, although women also develop it.  If you have CHF, we will help you treat it. If you don’t, we’ll help you prevent it. Although heart failure is a serious condition, many people lead full, enjoyable lives when the condition is managed with heart medications and healthy lifestyle changes.

Watch the video to learn about the South Texas Health System Heart outpatient Heart Clinic, which specializes in congestive heart failure.

Avoiding Hospital Readmission

Diagnostic services at STACC help CHF patients avoid multiple readmissions to the hospital. Patients receive one-on-one education support, regular phone calls from their physicians and healthy-living advice. “Too often, CHF patients need to be readmitted to the hospital after they are discharged,” says Ofsman Quintana, MD, FACC, FSCAI, who leads the STACC clinic. “But CHF can be well managed when patients have access to a coordinated, multidisciplinary program of care that includes acute intervention, education and follow-up care.”

CardioMEMS™ Heart Failure Monitoring Device

Patients can have their pulmonary artery (PA) pressure monitored without leaving their home! South Texas Health System Heart uses the CardioMEMS™ heart failure system to remotely monitor pressure in the pulmonary artery. It is the first and only FDA-approved heart failure monitoring device that has been proven to significantly reduce hospital admissions when used by physicians to manage heart failure.

With the CardioMEMS HF System, a miniaturized, wireless monitoring sensor is implanted in the pulmonary artery through a minimally invasive procedure. This enables patients to remotely transmit PA pressure readings to physicians at South Texas Health System Heart from the comfort of their own home. Remote monitoring can help minimize in-person contact, which reduces the potential for transmitting and catching viruses such as the coronavirus. And it helps South Texas Health System Heart continue providing advanced patient care while maintaining the health and safety of staff and other high-risk patients seeking treatment.

Advanced Cardiac Technology for the Rio Grande Valley

In addition to the CardioMEMS heart failure system, South Texas Health System Heart uses other advanced treatment technology including:

  • Home Telemonitoring — Medical team members monitor your weight and vitals, diagnose health issues, and create a treatment plan while you remain in your home.
  • Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) — An LVAD is a device that is implanted in your chest to help your heart pump blood. This device can help a wide range of patients who have heart failure conditions. Our clinic provides ongoing care for patients who have received an LVAD implant.
  • Impella for Acute Shock — The Impella is a short-term LVAD used to pump blood and support circulation.
  • Hybrid Operating Rooms (ORs) — Hybrid ORs seamlessly convert from a catheterization lab to a surgical suite in moments, allowing heart specialists to collaborate and make assessments about your condition in real-time. In a hybrid OR, cardiovascular specialists employ advanced technologies in both non-invasive and invasive cardiology.