When you have a heart problem, you want to work with an experienced, compassionate team of heart specialists. With the longest history of diagnosing and treating heart conditions in Delaware County, Crozer-Keystone Health System hospitals offer you the expert care you need to manage your health and live fully.
Diagnostic Testing
Crozer-Keystone’s hospitals are staffed by a highly trained and educated team of heart specialists who use a series of diagnostic tools and services including:
Noninvasive, Semi-invasive Procedures
Invasive Procedures
Treatment
Heart Arrhythmia
Irregular heartbeat, known as heart arrythmia, can be caused by many factors, including coronary artery disease, electrolyte imbalances and injury. Crozer-Keystone specialists perform the following procedures to treat heart rhythm disorders in patients:
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary arteries along the surface of the heart supply the heart muscle with oxygen. As heart disease develops, the coronary arteries become narrow due to a build-up of plaque, which is made up of fats, dead cells and other materials. This raises the risk of heart attack. When lifestyle changes and medication have not helped to lower the risk of heart attack, Crozer-Keystone specialists offer both time-tested and newer treatments to restore blood flow to the heart muscle for patients with life-threatening heart disease. These include medical therapy, or the use of drugs to treat the effects and symptoms of coronary artery disease; interventional (non-surgical) procedures and surgical procedures.
Interventional procedures include:
Surgical procedures include:
Heart Valve Disorders
The heart valves control the flow of blood between the heart chambers and between the left ventricle and the major artery that supplies the body's blood vessels with blood-containing oxygen. Some valve defects can be treated with medicine, while others may be repaired or replaced surgically.
Crozer cardiac surgeons can repair or replace defective heart valves using the patient's own body tissues, in many cases, or new natural or mechanical valves. Crozer surgeons also perform emergency and scheduled repairs of life-threatening conditions of the aorta.
Heart Failure
Although heart failure is not a specific disease, it is a serious condition in which the heart fails to maintain enough blood flow to the body. Heart failure can be caused by a heart attack, clogged blood vessels, high blood pressure, diabetes, or an infection. Patients experience exhaustion, shortness of breath and cold fingers and toes. Crozer-Keystone hospitals offer cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), a unique device therapy used to treat heart failure.
Cardiac Emergencies
Crozer-Keystone surgeons perform emergency and scheduled repairs of life-threatening conditions of the aorta. These dangerous conditions include an area of the aorta that has stretched and weakened (aneurysm) or torn.
Primary Angioplasty is an emergency procedure to open blocked arteries in a heart attack patient. Crozer-Keystone offers clot-busting (thrombolytic) drugs as well as primary angioplasty for heart attack patients.
Surgical Procedures
Since 1992, Crozer-Keystone doctors have performed more than 4,100 open heart surgeries — with an excellent success record. Crozer-Keystone’s team of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and they perform the following surgical heart procedures:
Cardiac Rehabilitation
After treatment is completed, Crozer-Keystone provides rehabilitation and ongoing care to help heart patients get well and stay well. Our cardiac rehabilitation program, which is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, consists of monitored exercise sessions, cardiac risk factor modification, education and counseling.
Cardiac rehabilitation services are offered at Springfield Hospital. To enter cardiac rehabilitation, patients need a physician referral.
Cardiac Transition Program
When Crozer-Keystone patients have completed cardiac rehabilitation but are not ready for independent exercise, they may participate in a cardiac transition program. This consists of aerobic exercise, strength and endurance training, and functional exercise for the tasks of daily living.
In addition, the Crozer-Keystone Health System makes it even easier to get involved in an independent fitness program through the wellness offerings at the Healthplex Sports Club in Springfield.
Vascular Disorders
Vascular disorders affect the body’s intricate system of blood vessels, and can range from life-threatening emergencies to chronic, disabling diseases. Crozer-Keystone’s board-certified vascular surgeons provide comprehensive care exclusively for patients with vascular disease such as aortic aneurysm, stroke and carotoid artery disease. Learn more about Vascular and Endovascular Disorders.
Critical Care Transport Service
Crozer-Keystone hospitals — Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Chester, Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill, Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, and Springfield Hospital in Springfield — work closely to provide seamless care for heart patients traveling from one location to another.
