Medical center may begin open-heart surgeries

For the first time, open-heart surgery is being performed in Carson City.

Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare recently received state licensure for its open-heart surgery program. The new surgery program started this week at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center.

According to a state bureau of licensure and certification spokeswoman, the medical center has worked on the required elements for at least six months. The license was effective Jan. 18.

The 1600 Medical Parkway center offers a full scope of cardiac care, including diagnostic and interventional coronary angiograms, as well as cardiac surgery. It is the only certified cardiac rehabilitation program in Nevada, according to the hospital.

"This is a program that has been a long time coming," said Ed Epperson, chief executive officer and president of Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare. "It is exciting for the community because they will no longer have to travel to Reno for interventional cardiac procedures or open-heart surgery. Everything they need will be right here in Carson City."

Dr. Todd Chapman, chief of cardiac surgery and board certified cardiovascular surgeon, heads Carson Tahoe's cardiovascular program. He has 20 years of experience in the field.

He has said that eight operating units are equipped to perform cardiac surgery. The ratio is one nurse to every patient who just comes out of surgery. The number of patients to nurses goes up as patients improve.

Heart surgery patients will have pre-surgery, recovery and post surgery done in the same room with the same cardiac team.

He estimated that between 100 and 200 heart surgeries will be done annually in the cardiac unit. Another heart surgeon could be added to the team in a year if there is a need.

n Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.