St. Luke's Hospital in Lufkin is one of four Texas hospitals to earn the American College of Cardiology's highest rating for percutaneous coronary intervention, also called coronary angioplasty. The procedure opens arteries that have narrowed or become blocked, restoring blood flow to the heart. The Heart Institute of East Texas said the hospital was one of 57 nationwide to receive the rating.
The college measured patient outcomes, clinical practices and quality of care through its CathPCI Registry Quality of Care Composite. Dr. Ravinder Bachireddy, the institute's founder and president and chief of cardiology, said the recognition reflects the work of the entire cardiovascular care team. He said it also shows the value of having advanced cardiac services close to home.
Dr. Musa Khan, medical director of the hospital's cardiac catheterization laboratory, said the work depends on physicians, nurses, technicians and support staff working together. Hospital President Eric Robinson called the recognition a tremendous achievement and credited the hospital's partnership with the Heart Institute of East Texas.