Cardiac Services

MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute

As an established leader in cardiovascular care for more than 50 years, the team at MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center performs more than 3,500 stress tests, 11,000 echocardiograms and 75,000 electrocardiograms each year. We are the busiest heart catheterization center in the United States, performing more than 19,000 procedures annually, and we lead the region in number of open heart surgeries per year.

The program, rated in the top 20 heart centers in the country by U.S .News & World Report offers patients highly specialized diagnostic tools and treatments and procedures for a variety of heart diseases and conditions. Patients from around the world are drawn to the excellent care and state-of-the-art diagnostic technology at MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute. Our nurses work tirelessly to provide world-class nursing and rehabilitative care for our heart and vascular patients, minimizing recovery times and returning patients to daily life faster. Providing a supportive and efficient treatment center for patients and families is a critical part of our mission.

The entire staff at MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of heart and vascular care. That is why we have an unrivaled research capability, the Cardiovascular Research Institute, dedicated to uncovering best practices in heart and vascular care. A part of MedStar Health Research Institute, a regionally acclaimed hub of state-of-the-art research protocols and clinical trials, this facility is making strides toward better treatment and prevention for cardiovascular health.

MedStar Washington Hospital Center is the only hospital in Washington, D.C. and suburban Maryland to offer advanced heart failure patients a chance to improve their quality of life with the left ventricular assist device (LVAD). This mechanical circulatory assist device helps pump blood for an ailing heart. Surgeons implant the device inside the body and an external battery pack keeps the LVAD operational. Patients see an improved quality of life and can return to productive work and enjoyable activities. An LVAD might be an option for patients waiting for a heart transplant and those who are not candidates for a transplant. The Hospital Center is the first in the region to be certified and recertified the use of the LVAD by The Joint Commission. Outcomes for the LVAD program at the Hospital Center exceed national benchmarks.

MedStar Washington Hospital Center is one of two hospitals in the District to receive official notification that we earned the Quality Excellence Award from the Delmarva Foundation. The foundation only bestows this honor on hospitals that achieve a compliance score of 90 percent or higher - for three consecutive quarters in a calendar year - in 16 required clinical measures that fall under four clinical areas - heart attack, heart failure, surgical care improvement and pneumonia.

Our nurses in the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute continually strive to provide safe, evidence based care that achieves quality patient outcomes. Several members of our team have presented both posters and lectures at both local and national nursing and critical care conferences. Our team includes nationally-published authors and researchers. We are committed to the ongoing professional development of our nurses and provide many opportunities for growth and development for both the new and experienced nurse. We are especially proud of our Cardiac Services RN Residency which offers a comprehensive education and orientation program.