Dr. Robert Sangrigoli performing an ablation in the Electrophysiology Lab.

The Heart Institute of Doylestown Hospital has grown in scope and size, and the accolades for the program continue to increase, as well.

There has been big growth in EP, or electrophysiology. EP diagnostic studies are up about 50% from 2008. And there's been an increase of about 65% in the number of EP ablations. As a result, one of the cath labs was outfitted for use as an EP lab. So there are now two cath labs and two EP labs. Doylestown Hospital interventional cardiologists perform about 2,000 catheterizations per year. They perform about 700 PCI or stent/angioplasty procedures each year. The number of cardiac surgeries averages more than 200 each year.

The Heart Institute of Doylestown Hospital continues to receive superior ratings. We are ranked among the Top 10% in the nation for overall cardiac services, cardiac surgery and coronary interventional procedures by HealthGrades(r). The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) gave The Heart Institute its highest rating - three stars - and places it among the top 10% in the U.S. for heart surgery. It has been named a Blue Distinction(r) center for cardiac care by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. The Heart Institute has also been designated a United Healthcare Center of Excellence for cardiac care.

These awards are certainly prestigious, and they are bolstered by important feedback from a very important part of the equation-the patients. "We continually receive positive comments from our patients and their families in all areas of cardiac care," says John Mitchell, Executive Director of Cardiovascular Services. "We are very fortunate to have a great, compassionate and very talented team of physicians and professionals caring for all our cardiac patients."

Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Medical Director of the Heart Institute
of Doylestown Hospital, Dr. Joseph Auteri and patient.