Consultative Clinical Cardiology

Ochsner’s Consultative Cardiology team is led by experienced, highly trained cardiologists – skilled clinicians all – with a wealth of experience second to none in the region. They use their knowledge and experience to provide comprehensive cardiovascular services.

The Consultative Cardiology team at Ochsner:

Works closely with each patient’s referring physician to devise an individual care plan
Coordinates with Ochsner sub specialists to provide world-class care for complex cases
Offers second opinions to both self-referred and physician-referred patients
Manages the day-to-day aspects of heart disease
Provides preoperative cardiac assessment for organ transplant patients
Consults with oncology specialists in Ochsner's Cardio-Oncology Clinic to prevent and minimize cardiovascular issues that arise from cancer treatment

Consultative cardiologists frequently treat patients with:

Coronary Heart Disease (Atherosclerosis)
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Hyperlipidemia (elevated cholesterol)
Hypertension
Arrhythmias (irregular heart beats and rapid heart beats)
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) (leg pain with walking)
Valvular Heart Disease

Along with blood tests and chest X-rays, diagnostic services at Ochsner include:

Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Holter monitoring
Echocardiogram
Cardiac catheterization
Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Nuclear stress testing (PET)

In addition, Consultative Cardiology is a key component of the Ochsner Hypertension Digital Medicine Program. Patients with difficult and hard-to-treat hypertension often find the solutions they’re looking for at Ochsner. This program utilizes advanced wireless technology to help patients manage and treat high blood pressure.

1970

First heart transplant in the Gulf South Region

Dr. John Ochsner performed the first heart transplant in the Gulf South.

1973

Invented the percutaneous atrial septal defect closure.

The King-Mills Umbrella Catheter was devised at Ochsner, and it was first used to close the hole in a 17-year-old patient’s heart without surgery. The physicians won the Young Inventors Award for the Cardiology Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

1974

Implanted a pacemaker in the youngest patient on record

Ochsner implanted a heart pacemaker in the youngest patient ever. The nine-pound, two-ounce recipient was only 18 hours old.

1986

First pediatric heart transplant in Gulf South

Dr. John Ochsner completed the first pediatric heart transplant in the Gulf South. To this day, Ochsner is the only hospital in Louisiana to perform pediatric heart transplants.

2013

First total artificial heart implanted in the Gulf South

A 41-year-old patient became the first patient in the Gulf South region to receive a Total Artificial Heart (TAH) implant.

2014

First system to integrate the Apple HealthKit with Epic, Ochsner’s Electronic Health Record.

By integrating HealthKit with Epic, Ochsner can help patients better manage their chronic diseases. For example, using HealthKit, Ochsner physicians can monitor the weight of congestive heart failure patients several times a week, instead of a few times a year, which allows them to intervene earlier and more effectively if needed.

2015

First system to use the Apple Watch to manage patients with chronic hypertension.

Shortly after the Apple Watch was released, Ochsner launched a pilot program to help patients stay in touch with their physicians and make healthy lifestyle changes to better manage their chronic diseases.

Best Regional Hospitals - New Orleans, LA
Cardiology & Heart Surgery
2015-16
U.S. News & World Report

Coronary Intervention
Excellence Award
2015
Healthgrades

Coronary Interventional Procedures
Five-Star Recipient
2015
Healthgrades

How Healthy Is Your Heart?

We take heart health seriously. A healthy heart helps maintain your cholesterol and blood pressure, reduces the feelings of depression and lowers your risk of developing dementia.