Partnership gives Miami physicians access to latest medical innovations

MIAMI, Jan. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute of Miami today announced its partnership with the University of Heidelberg, one of the largest and most important centers for patient care, medical research and teaching in Europe, for hands-on access to the latest medical innovations.

"Our Institute has set the agenda in South Florida for cardiac and vascular procedures and treatment, but a lot of medical innovations are happening outside the United States. Our affiliation with the University of Heidelberg will bring a new line of knowledge in clinical medicine and broaden our perspective about new developments in patient care," Barry T. Katzen, M.D., founder and medical director of the Institute, said.

The relationship will benefit South Florida patients, who will have access to the most advanced treatments available for cardiac and vascular systems performed by heart surgeons, interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons.

"In our regulatory environment, it takes three to four years for innovations to be approved here. Our doctors, by traveling to Heidelberg, will already have been involved in early-stage technology. Over time it will have significant implications in patient care," Dr. Katzen said.

Dittmar Bockler, M.D., medical director and chairman of the Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at Heidelberg University Hospital, agrees the partnership will result in better care for patients in the United States and Germany.

"Whenever there is transatlantic collaboration, the shared knowledge results in new developments and refinements," Dr. Bockler said. "Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute is a leader in multidisciplinary care and has pioneered many procedures that are of great interest to European physicians."

Both organizations are internationally renowned as groundbreakers in cardiovascular care, involved in dozens of clinical trials and sophisticated diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation services. They share a goal of searching for the least invasive treatments, particularly important for an aging population. Teams of interventional radiologists, clinical and interventional cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, vascular surgeons,  electrophysiologists, and neuroradiologists work together to provide a spectrum of care ranging from wellness to the most complex endovascular and open surgical procedures for heart and circulatory problems.

Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute, established in 1987, is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization in the region.

To read the full release, visit www.baptistheart.net.

SOURCE Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute

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