Amplatzer Closure Device offers a potential alternative to expensive, invasive surgical procedures. It is used to close certain types of circulatory and heart defects. These defects include Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO), Patent Dectus Arteriosus, and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). Until recently, the only way of repairing an Atrial Septal Defect involved open-heart surgery. The primary advantage of this procedure is that it is a non-surgical technique and is an alternative to open heart surgery.

Cerebral Aneurism Coiling inserting a catheter carrying a very thin platinum coil (GDC for Guglielmi Detachable Coil) through the vein in the patient's groin. The catheter is then guided using an angiogram (a special type of x-ray procedure) through the vein into the affected area of the brain. The aneurism sac is then fitted with the GDC. Once the coils are released into the aneurism, the blood flow pattern within the aneurism is altered, and the slow or sluggish remaining blood flow leads to a thrombosis (clot) of the aneurism. In two or three days the aneurism is fully blocked preventing further bleeding. The ultimate goal is that the aneurism would be obliterated instead of a new channel developing through it.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Endografts: When the large blood vessel (abdominal aorta) that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs becomes abnormally large or balloons outward. Thin, hollow tubes called catheters are inserted through arteries in your groin. These tubes allow the grafts to be placed without making a large cut in your abdomen. In addition, you may recover sooner. However, not all patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms are candidates for endovascular repair.

Atrial Fibrillation Ablations: The rapid, irregular heart beat that frequently occurs after Coronary artery bypass graft surgery and heart valve surgery. For years, the only method that doctors had to treat A.F. was with medicine. This has proven to be only moderately effective. One of the newest advances in treating this disease is A.F. ablation. This can be done peripherally, through a vein in the groin, as an adjunct during open heart surgery or in the O.R., using one of the new minimally invasive surgical techniques. During the ablation, a catheter with a special radio-frequency catheter is placed in the area that is commonly demonstrated as the site of origin of these irregular beats. The tissue is heated and the tissue's ability to produce an electrical current is eliminated.

Digital Radiography: They are systems used for high-resolution, filmless x-rays that use a small sensor rather than film to transmit an image directly to a computer monitor.

Virtual Colonoscopy is a new technique for visualizing colon polyps that could become cancerous. It does not require a hospital or outpatient stay, or anesthesia. Utilizing air and advanced image rendering, a virtual voyage through your colon is generated from the scan images.

Autonomic Testing is used to monitor the Autonomic Nervous System, which is responsible for controlling internal functions such as blood pressure, blood flow and sweating. Certain diseases can attack the autonomic nervous system in isolation, or as part of a more widespread illness. In the second case, many functions of the nervous system, including autonomic, sensory and motor systems may be affected, and autonomic testing can be used as a "marker" to diagnose such a disease. To see if a disease is affecting the autonomic nervous system, several tests are done to monitor blood pressure, blood flow, heart rate, skin temperature and sweating. By measuring these functions, it is possible to discover whether or not the autonomic nervous system is operating normally.

Sleep Disorders Testing (Polysomnography): Polysomnography (PSG) is the simultaneous recording of multiple physiological parameters during sleep. This non-invasive procedure records brain waves, eye movements, breathing effort, breathing airflow, snoring sounds, limb movements, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, heart rhythm, and muscle tone. Patients are usually scheduled to arrive at 8 pm and are asked to complete a few forms prior to having electrodes and other monitoring devices attached to the surface of their body. A sleep study is normally recorded overnight in the sleep center; buy may also be performed during the day for night-shift workers. The finished recording consists of approximately 1000 pages of data that are reviewed on a computer by a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine (a physician with special training in sleep disorders). After the physician reviews the study, a diagnosis is made and home treatment may be ordered such as supplemental oxygen or positive airway pressure (CPAP or Bi-level PAP). The most frequent diagnoses based on polysomnography include sleep apnea and periodic limb movements in sleep. However there are 84 recognized sleep disorders according to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders.

Click Here to read more about the Sleep Disorders Center and take the Sleep Disorders Quiz.

Orthopedic

Computer Assisted Surgery: An image-guided navigation system for the surgeon. Informative positioning calculations are displayed on a graphically intuitive screen, which dynamically changes with the individual patient's anatomy. This technology superimposes the position of the instruments as they are used in surgery onto images of the anatomy displayed on a monitor. This is used to aide in Joint Replacement, Knee Reconstruction, spinal procedures and brain tumor surgery.

Minimally Invasive Surgery: Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) refers to group of techniques that permit access to the internal organs without use of a customary large incision and is used on the following - hip, knee, and spine.

Click Here to read more about our Orthopedic Services.

Oncology

Lumpectomy: a common surgical procedure designed to remove a discrete lump (usually a tumour, benign or otherwise) from an affected woman's breast. As the tissue removed is generally quite limited and the procedure relatively non-invasive (compared to a mastectomy for example), a lumpectomy is considered a viable means of "breast conservation" or "breast preservation" surgery, with all the attendant physical and emotional advantages of such an approach.

Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy: The surgical removal of the adrenal gland through a small incision in the abdomen. A small telescope is used to visualize the adrenal gland so it can be dissected and removed through a small abdominal incision

Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery: Minimally invasive technique, in which pituitary tumors can be removed through the patient's natural nose. This procedure does not require sublabial or nostril incisions and eliminates the need for occlusive postoperative packing used with the conventional procedures. It is minimally invasive because it directly approaches the tumor through the patient's nostril thus eliminating facial swelling, decreasing postoperative pain, and making recovery quicker. Most patients can go home the day following their surgery.

VATS Lung Resection: This refers to the video-assisted, minimally invasive surgical removal of a part of the lung or the whole lung, due to disease or damage caused by lung cancer, emphysema, tuberculosis, or other severe conditions.

Laparoscopic Gastric Resection is a minimally invasive approach for the most common weight loss procedure. Laparoscopic obesity operations have only been performed since 1993. Click Here for more information on Gastric Bypass Surgery at BHMC-Little Rock.

Laparoscopic Colectomy: The minimally invasive surgical removal of a part of colon or the whole colon due to disease or cancer.

VATS Esophagectomy: This refers to the video-assisted, minimally invasive surgical removal of the esophagus (throat), which is typically only done to treat high-grade dysplagia or other severe conditions of the esophagus, and is done by inserting a tiny camera into a small incision.

Rehab

BAPTIST HEALTH Rehabilitation Institute is the only hospital in the state to offer Bioness H200, the latest state-of-the-art neuroprosthetic and rehabilitation system designed to increase functional use of the hand and minimize impairments and complications associated with centralnervous system injuries.

Therapists have already completed training on the system and have begun using it in the treatment of patients. Stroke, spinal-cord injuries and other disorders of the central nervous system are the most frequent causes of long-term disability. These disorders often result in the impairment of muscle control, reduced functional abilities, spasticity and loss of strength.

The NESS H200, an exoskeletal device worn on the hand and forearm, is designed to help patients regain control and movement of the muscles in their arms and hands. For example, a stroke patient may not be able to pick up a water bottle with their injured hand, but while wearing the NESS H200 they are able to grasp the bottle and move it off the table. The device is also user friendly and can be put on and removed by the patient, even if both hands are impaired.

Surgery

Endovascular Vein Harvest: This technique uses a small incision and camera to harvest a vein from the patient's leg that will be used to replace the blocked vessels of the heart. This minimally invasive procedure replaces an open incision technique and offers fewer incisions, less discomfort, reduced risk of infection and improved recovery time.

Cryo-surgery for prostate cancer and kidney cancer: Where a surgeon will apply an extreme amount of cold (typically using liquid nitrogen) in order to kill and get rid of the cancerous tissue in your prostate. Ice crystals build up inside the cells themselves, ripping them apart. The pain is usually minimal, there is generally very little scarring.

Women's Center

Bone Densitometer: Using an exclusive OnePassT fan-beam technology and Internal Reference System with complete procedure automation, providing an automated, precise solution for entry-level osteoporosis testing.

Giraffe Omni Beds: The most advanced user-friendly and developmentally supportive microenvironment available today; combining state of the art technology, innovative design and exceptional thermal performance to create an unsurpassed healing environment for intensively ill infants.

Bedside Glucose Monitoring: The blood glucose monitoring test consists of a test strip and a machine which displays a reading after insertion of the test strip used by Laboratory Personnel and results in Laboratory Report in the medical record.

High Frequency Oscillator Ventilation: High frequency ventilator that is timed cycled, pressure limited, and provides continuous flow ventilation for very low birth weight infants.

The INOVENT Nitric Oxide Mixer is used for the very low birth weight infant in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Bayer Rapidpoint 405 ABG Machine is a critical care diagnostic system to provide automated blood analysis at the point of care in just 60 seconds.

BAPTIST HEALTH Medical Center - Little Rock has 2 Transport Isolettes fitted with ventilators and Masimo Pulse ox monitors. The Masimo Pulse OX Monitors provide improved sensitivity during motion and under low perfusion conditions to improve monitoring for the very low birth weight infant.

Computer Aided Detection for Mammograms: Computer-aided detection (CAD) refers to sophisticated pattern recognition software radiologists use to help them read medical images. This software identifies features on medical images and brings them to the attention of the radiologist in order to decrease false negative readings.

Uterine Artery Embolization is procedure that is used to stop severe bleeding after a child birth (used in women that don't desire more children), thereby eliminating the need for a hysterectomy. The uterine artery embolization involves the selection of arteries feeding the fibroid with a small tube (catheter) and then blocking the arteries with tiny particles the size of grains of sand.

Wound Care Center

BAPTIST HEALTH has a Wound Care Center at the Little Rock and North Little Rock hospitals. Anyone who has chronic, non-healing wounds may benefit from this innovative service designed specifically for evaluation and treatment of wounds. Many regular physicians' offices are not equipped with the special supplies and medications used to treat different types of problem wounds. In addition, a physician who has completed additional training in wounds may be helpful in sorting out the underlying cause of lack of healing.

Click Here for more information on the BHMC-Little Rock Wound Care Center.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Tanks (HBOT): In use at the BHMC-NLR Wound Care Center. A treatment usually consists of lying in the chamber for 90-120 minutes while breathing 100% oxygen under pressure greater than 1 atmosphere absolute (ATA). This may occur in a single person chamber (monoplace) or a chamber holding two or more persons (multiplace). The usual pressure is 2 atmospheres (we are currently at 1 atmosphere of pressure which represents the weight of 6 miles of atmospheric gases above us). Two atmospheres is the equivalent of 14.7 lbs per square inch or of being under 33 feet of seawater. Most common treatment pressures are between 2-3 ATA.