ST. LOUIS, June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Missouri Baptist Medical Center today opened a new Arrhythmia Center, within its regionally acclaimed Heart Center, to meet the needs of an increasing population of patients suffering from abnormal heart rhythms. An arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat that can affect both the young and elderly, and may lead to stroke, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest. Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is the most common arrhythmia and affects over 2.2 million Americans.
To lead the Center, Missouri Baptist has recruited Karthik Ramaswamy, MD, FHRS, cofounder of the cardiac electrophysiology program at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, and Cardiologist Andrew J. Krainik, MD, MPH who completes his fellowship this month in clinical electrophysiology at Washington University School of Medicine.
Dr. Ramaswamy brings over 10 years experience in both the academic and community practice settings, and founded an electrophysiology (EP) program outside of Atlanta, GA that has become recognized nationally and internationally for excellence in catheter ablation and innovative therapeutic technologies. He is a leader in the use of cryoablation and a pioneer in the use of Stereotaxis Magnetic Navigation. He was the first in the world to perform a bidirectional transatlantic live case demonstration with this technology and was among the first to demonstrate the technology's advantages of reducing radiation exposure and improving safety for patients undergoing catheter ablation.
Dr. Krainik, who completes his second fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Washington University School of Medicine this June, is trained in the use of the Stereotaxis system and brings cutting-edge methodology to the practice. Dr. Krainik has performed investigative work in new ablation techniques, and has published on the topic of atrial fibrillation management in the elderly.
"As a top heart hospital in the region, we are honored that Dr. Ramaswamy and Dr. Krainik have joined our renowned cardiac team," said Missouri Baptist President Joan Magruder. "They are nationally recognized experts in the use of Stereotaxis Magnetic Navigation system, and leaders in patient safety and clinical excellence using this and other technologies."
Missouri Baptist continues to be recognized as a top heart hospital:
Karthik Ramaswamy, MD, FHRS is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. He is a graduate of the Honors Program in Medical Education at the University of Miami School of Medicine and completed his Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He was previously on the medical school faculty at Wake Forest University and the University of Massachusetts, and was most recently Director of the Electrophysiology Laboratory at Northeast Georgia Medical Center outside of Atlanta. He is a Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society.
Andrew J. Krainik, MD, MPH is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease, and board-eligible in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. He received his MD with Honors from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Krainik served as Chief Resident at Barnes-Jewish Hospital 2006-2007. He then completed his fellowships in Cardiology and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Missouri Baptist Medical Center is a 489-bed acute-care hospital which offers a full continuum of medical and surgical services, and specializes in heart, cancer, gastrointestinal, orthopedic, neurological/spine and women's health services. Missouri Baptist provided care for 22,831 inpatients and 35,423 emergency patients in 2009. Missouri Baptist Medical Center is a member of BJC HealthCare, one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States and the largest employer in St. Louis. Based in St. Louis, BJC serves residents in Missouri and southern Illinois through its 13 hospitals and multiple health service organizations.
SOURCE Missouri Baptist Medical Center
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To lead the Center, Missouri Baptist has recruited Karthik Ramaswamy, MD, FHRS, cofounder of the cardiac electrophysiology program at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, and Cardiologist Andrew J. Krainik, MD, MPH who completes his fellowship this month in clinical electrophysiology at Washington University School of Medicine.
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Dr. Ramaswamy brings over 10 years experience in both the academic and community practice settings, and founded an electrophysiology (EP) program outside of Atlanta, GA that has become recognized nationally and internationally for excellence in catheter ablation and innovative therapeutic technologies. He is a leader in the use of cryoablation and a pioneer in the use of Stereotaxis Magnetic Navigation. He was the first in the world to perform a bidirectional transatlantic live case demonstration with this technology and was among the first to demonstrate the technology's advantages of reducing radiation exposure and improving safety for patients undergoing catheter ablation.
Dr. Krainik, who completes his second fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Washington University School of Medicine this June, is trained in the use of the Stereotaxis system and brings cutting-edge methodology to the practice. Dr. Krainik has performed investigative work in new ablation techniques, and has published on the topic of atrial fibrillation management in the elderly.
"As a top heart hospital in the region, we are honored that Dr. Ramaswamy and Dr. Krainik have joined our renowned cardiac team," said Missouri Baptist President Joan Magruder. "They are nationally recognized experts in the use of Stereotaxis Magnetic Navigation system, and leaders in patient safety and clinical excellence using this and other technologies."
Missouri Baptist continues to be recognized as a top heart hospital:
- Ranked as a "Top 100 U.S. Hospital" by Thomson Reuters for three consecutive years (2009, 2010 and 2011).
- Received a "5-Star Rating for Treatment of Heart Attacks" for the seventh consecutive year (2005 to 2011) by HealthGrades.
- Ranked third in St. Louis in U.S. News & World Report's first-ever metro area rankings for its high-performance in nine specialties, including heart and heart surgery.
- Named "One of America's Safest Hospitals" by Forbes in 2009 and 2010.
Karthik Ramaswamy, MD, FHRS is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. He is a graduate of the Honors Program in Medical Education at the University of Miami School of Medicine and completed his Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He was previously on the medical school faculty at Wake Forest University and the University of Massachusetts, and was most recently Director of the Electrophysiology Laboratory at Northeast Georgia Medical Center outside of Atlanta. He is a Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society.
Andrew J. Krainik, MD, MPH is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease, and board-eligible in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. He received his MD with Honors from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Krainik served as Chief Resident at Barnes-Jewish Hospital 2006-2007. He then completed his fellowships in Cardiology and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Missouri Baptist Medical Center is a 489-bed acute-care hospital which offers a full continuum of medical and surgical services, and specializes in heart, cancer, gastrointestinal, orthopedic, neurological/spine and women's health services. Missouri Baptist provided care for 22,831 inpatients and 35,423 emergency patients in 2009. Missouri Baptist Medical Center is a member of BJC HealthCare, one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States and the largest employer in St. Louis. Based in St. Louis, BJC serves residents in Missouri and southern Illinois through its 13 hospitals and multiple health service organizations.
SOURCE Missouri Baptist Medical Center
