Welcome to The Heart Beat, a periodic update on the latest happenings at the Hoag Heart & Vascular Institute (HHVI). Since February is Hoag Heart Month, we thought it appropriate to bring you up-to-date on some exciting new developments at HHVI made possible by your generous support.

Heart Lifting News from HHVI

HHVI top 10% in US

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has ranked Hoag’s cardiac surgical program in the top 10% in the country for quality and successful outcomes. The STS designated Hoag’s cardiac surgical program as three-star, the highest possible rating awarded; confirming HHVI as one of the elite heart programs in the country.

HHVI Accomplishments

• Hoag Heart & Vascular Institute continues to rate in the top 10% in the nation for vascular care based on an independent health care company analysis

• Hoag Heart & Vascular Institute continues to rate in the top 10% in the nation for stroke care based on an independent health care company analysis

• Hoag Heart & Vascular Institute continues to rate in the top 10% in the nation for coronary

intervention based on an independent health care company analysis

• Ranked One of the Top Four Hospitals in the State of California for Coronary Interventional Procedures (PCI)

• Hoag Heart & Vascular Institute receives national accreditation for its vascular lab and cardiac rehabilitation programs

• Hoag is one of the Regional Education Centers in California and one of just a few

nationwide authorized to educate other physicians in new stenting technology

Free Screenings for Seniors

HHVI offers free heart valve screening for Orange County seniors 65 and older through a partnership with Edward Life Sciences. Contact (949) 764-VALVE (8258) for more information.

The He rt Beatfrom the Hoag Hospital Foundation

February 2009

HHVI People NewsHHVI Adds More Top-Notch Talent

We are pleased to share that Jacques Kpodonu, M.D., a hybrid cardiac surgeon, joined the Raney-Zusman group as well as the staff of HHVI in September 2008. A pioneer in hybrid cardiovascular surgical techniques, Dr. Kpodonu is an internationally educated and trained surgeon and is board certified in general and cardio thoracic surgery and board eligible in endovascular therapies.

HHVI on the Leading Edge

Leading the majority of cardiovascular research studies at HHVI, Subbarao Myla, M.D. is working on the Protect II study involving the use of Abiomed’s IMPELLA® RECOVER® LP 2.5 System, which was recently cleared by the FDA for commercial use in patients who need help pumping blood from the heart. For those patients who are at high risk for cardiac surgery, this device may be used to support circulation during a heart stent procedure.

Executive Medical Director Search Update

The search for the HHVI Executive Medical Director (EMD) is well under way. Over 70

prominent candidates have expressed interest in this position. Each candidate is distinguished by his or her achievements and many are world renowned as leaders in the field. We expect our new EMD to be selected by June 2009.

HHVI Technology NewsNext Generation of Ultrasound debuts at Hoag

Recently, Hoag Hospital became the first hospital in Orange County to use the latest in Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) technology, which improves the detection of vessel blockages.

Using IVUS, our physicians get a 360-degree, cross-sectional view from inside the artery, a significant enhancement to the traditional two-dimensional angiography. A tiny ultrasound device is threaded into the coronary arteries and, using high frequency sound waves to reflect off tissues in the vessel wall, physicians get a better view of plaque build-up or blockage as well as precise measurement of the vessel’s dimensions. IVUS also facilitates the proper deployment and guidance of stents.

Hoag Month Focused on Women’s Health

Cardiovascular disease and education are a major emphasis throughout Hoag Hospital during the month of February. In fact, a Women and Heart Disease reception andlecture will be held on February 26th at the Beckman Conference Center in Irvine and there is a full schedule of community education classes available throughout the month. For more information call 800.514.HOAG (4624).

New and Improved Stent System Improves Outcomes

Hoag Hospital is one of the first hospitals in the nation to offer the latest generation everolimus-eluting coronary stent system, a new and improved second generation of drug-eluting stents. This new innovation limits the overgrowth of normal tissue within the stent and helps prevent narrowing of the artery.

Other HHVI InnovationsAdvanced Technology

First Angiojet Thrombectomy Extraction system in Orange County - A very small device for dissolving potentially deadly blood clots in a patient’s arteries, it’s often used prior to a balloon angioplasty, or to reopen coronary bypass grafts and stents that have closed or become clogged.

First Abiomed heart support system in Orange County - Non-surgical support that takes over the pumping function of the heart, allowing it to rest and recover, while still supplying the rest of the body with the oxygen it needs to survive.

Cardiovascular Information System (CVIS) - HHVI is bringing together all of the technology necessary to tie physicians’ Electronic Medical Records (EMR) with the HHVI’s EMR for real-time data exchange.

Surgical Innovations

First to acquire AtriCure – A device used by our cardiovascular surgeons to help cure atrial fibrillation while using minimally invasive techniques.

HHVI Beats the National Average – The HHVI echo/surgical team is nationally recognized for their ability to repair 95% of all complex mitral valves compared to a national rate of 50%.

The Beat Goes E!If you would like to receive the latest HHVI updates via e-mail, please let us know by sending your e-mail address to Greg Gissendanner, Campaign Director at Greg.Gissendanner@hoaghospital.org or give him a call at (949) 764-7209.

Renaissance Hoag/HHVI Update

The Center of Advanced ElectrophysiologyRenaissance Hoag is the most ambitious revitalization and expansion in our 50-year history. It’s a 10-year plan to transform Hoag Hospital from one of the finest community hospitals in the country to a world class medical center with a community focus. The HHVI is a critical component of Renaissance Hoag and one of our key HHVI initiatives is the development of the Center of Advanced Electrophysiology. What is Electrophysiology?Electrophysiology (EP) is a segment of cardiology that treats cardiac rhythm disturbances and cardiac diseases such as sudden cardiac death, atrial fibrillation and heart failure. The majority of EP is done by specialized cardiologists known as Electrophysiologists.

How many people are impacted?Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been diagnosed in over 2.2 million Americans, and more than 90,000 new cases are diagnosed annually. AF is also the leading cause of stroke in the US.

What is the direct benefit to our community?The HHVI Center of Advanced Electrophysiology will be one of few facilities nationwide that is based in a community hospital setting offering ablation treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) and other rhythm disturbances. Drug treatment and ICDs are two alternatives for patients without access to ablation therapy. However, many medications have a low success rate and are associated with multiple side-effects.

What are we planning for the HHVI Center of Advanced Electrophysiology?Once limited to academic medical centers, today more hospitals are planning to add electrophysiology to cardiac service lines. HHVI will enhance its current EP program with an industry leading advanced EP center. HHVI has identified the steps needed to create “breakthrough outcomes” for our community through the Center of Advanced Electrophysiology:

• Acquire new state-of-the-art EP equipment/ facilities• Recruit additional EP physician(s)/ dedicated nurses• Recruit a world renowned EP Medical Director• Continue developing minimally invasive EP procedures• Partner with industry leaders to continue the development of advanced EP technology • Integrate EP data into an overall Cardiovascular Information System (CVIS)

HHVI Center of Advanced Electrophysiology Initiative Update:

As we prepare to take action, our estimated cost for the EP Program at Hoag Hospital is $7.5 million. To date, $1 million has been committed. Additional support or $6.5 million will allow Hoag to create an endowed medical chair for a world renowned Advanced EP Medical Director and build and equip a state-of-the-art EP Lab.

For more information or to find out how to get involved, please visit our website at www.hoaghospitalfoundation.org or contact Greg Gissendanner, Campaign Director at (949) 764-7209.