In the Right Place

By Mary Carpenter • Photos by Jessica McCafferty

Dr. Eric Gauthier

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. It is estimated one in four men and one in five women will die from heart disease. The annual cost of treating the many forms of the disease in the U.S. – including health care services, medicines and lost productivity — is estimated to range from $400 billion to over $1 trillion.

That is the bad news.

Here is the good news!

Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, a part of the UVM Health Network, has developed a team of board-certified cardiologists who are dedicated to excellence in the clinical treatment of heart disease.

To learn more about the cardiology team and what its work means to the North Country, I met recently with Dr. Eric Gauthier, the Medical Director of Cardiology Services. “Our team includes 15 cardiologists – 11 practice in Plattsburgh full time and four practice in both Plattsburgh and Burlington,” he began. “In addition, the team includes 12 advanced practice professionals consisting of Nurse practitioners and Physician assistants. Our focus is on patients dealing with the many forms of heart disease including congenital disease, heart failure and cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, and valvular heart disease.”

The collaborative effort with UVM allows physicians to see patients and offer specialty clinics at both CVPH and Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone. “The system works very well and is recognized as one program,” Gauthier observed. “The team offers services and procedures that would not normally be found in a community hospital.”

The cardiac practice’s service area covers Northern New York from Clinton to St. Lawrence County including Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Lake Placid and south to northern Warren County. “We are the only cardiac center for an enormous geographic area with thousands of people. Our focus is on delivering high quality cardiac care locally,” Gauthier stated.

The team is made up of a blend of different types of cardiologists who all focus on managing the risk factors that contribute to heart disease, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and obesity.

Diagnostic cardiologists —general cardiologist — focus their efforts on interpretation of diagnostic tests, managing an array of different cardiac issues and treating heart failure patients. Interventional cardiologists treat blockages caused by plaque buildup, reinforce weakened blood vessels, open blocked arteries associated with heart attacks, place stents, and repair heart valves. Electrophysiologists manage the electrical component of heart disease and heart beats. They offer procedures such as ablations or implant devices like pacemakers and defibrillators. 

Gauthier laughed as he explained, “Interventional cardiologists are sometimes referred to as ‘plumbers’ because they focus on repairing the heart’s plumbing system to ensure proper blood flow. Electrophysiologists, who deal with the heart’s electrical signals, are often called ‘electricians.’ The terms are just a fun, pragmatic way to explain what each person does.”

Behind the Scenes

Gauthier was quick to point out that there is a dynamic team of nurses, technicians and support staff who contribute in tremendous ways to the quality of care. “We are fortunate to have a great group of people who take great pride in the care they provide our patients,” he said.

Tool of the Trade

While heart disease can take many forms, using the latest diagnostic procedures and treatments, the cardiac team is able to assess each patient’s needs and develop an individualized treatment plan. The latest diagnostic tests, all available in Plattsburgh, include:

• Electrocardiography (EC/EKG)

An electrocardiogram is a common, painless test that records the electrical activity of the heart to tell if it is beating normally and can detect heart disease or other problems.

• Holter Monitoring/Event Recording

A Holter Monitor is a machine that continuously records heart rhythms for 24 hours or more.

• Echocardiography

Echocardiography or sonogram uses ultrasound waves to make images of the heart chambers, valves and surrounding structures to measure cardiac output and detect abnormal anatomy or infections.

• CG and Exercise

During an exercise cardiac stress test, the patient’s heart rate, heart rhythm and blood pressure are continuously monitored.

• Stress Echocardiography

Symptoms and signs of heart disease may be unmasked by exposing the heart to the stress of exercise.

• Nuclear Stress Testing

A nuclear stress test is used to assess how well the heart is working under stress, both at rest and during activity.

• Cardioversion

Cardioversion is a brief procedure where an electrical shock is delivered to the heart to convert an abnormal heart rhythm back to normal rhythm.

What’s the Plan?

Depending on test results, a cardiologist may recommend medication and monitoring while more serious results may suggest the need for an aggressive approach with consideration of a cardiac catheterization or an electrophysiology procedure. If surgery — minimally invasive or traditional — is deemed to be the best approach, you will be heartened to know all the preliminary workup can be supervised by your regular cardiologist and done here in Plattsburgh. That means the only trip you will need to take to Vermont will be for a structural heart procedure or coronary artery bypass surgery.

And when you are ready, the CVPH Cardiac Rehab team will be there to work with you, offering a medically supervised program accredited by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation to help you recover quickly. “Its goal is to stabilize, slow or even reverse the progression of cardiovascular disease,” Gauthier explained.

Plans for a $1.2 million renovation to create a new Rehabilitation Center on the CVPH main campus are underway with the Foundation leading the fundraising charge. The renovation will double the square footage of the current clinic, increasing the capacity for cardiac rehab classes from 36 to 84 patients each session. “We know the important role rehabilitation plays in treatment of a variety of health issues. It offers our patients a chance to recover and restore their health to the fullest extent possible,” said Gauthier. Under the supervision of certified exercise specialists and registered nurses, patients benefit from individualized programs that include stretching, aerobic exercise, stress management, and nutrition education.

Successful Recruiting

Asked about the challenges of recruiting physicians to the North Country, Gauthier was bullish. “We recruit nation-wide, but in recent years we have found the most fertile ground for our efforts in the Montreal area,” he observed. “Our area is perfect for a physician who wants to maintain their family home in Canada and yet enjoy the freedom and financial rewards of practicing in the U.S. There are visa requirements, but we work with candidates to expedite the process and it is working out well for all parties.”

According to Gauthier, the cardiology team has an impressive rate of retention. “We have a very low turnover rate for both providers and staff,” he explained. “Everyone who works here is forward looking. We deliver quality care and it has earned us an enviable reputation.”

With a large team ready to welcome patients, the cardiology practice can offer appointments quickly. “When we identify a patient who needs us, we can get them in for an initial consult, on average, in two weeks. That is unheard of in many other specialties,” Gauthier observed.

Looking Ahead

We are living in a time when the treatment of heart disease is advancing significantly. Innovative technologies such as AI-powered diagnostic tools used to identify individuals at risk for heart disease, allow for proactive intervention and the creation of tailored treatment plans based on individual patient risk factors. New medicines can effectively lower LDL cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Also being explored is the use of anti-obesity medications that may offer cardiovascular benefits.

Model of Excellence

In a rural region, where access can often define outcomes, the cardiology team at UVMHN-Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital stands as a model of excellence, access and innovation. By combining the strengths of a nationally recognized health network with the commitment of a local team, it brings world-class cardiac care to the heart of the North Country. Their patient-centered approach, cutting-edge diagnostics and swift access to care offer more than just hope—they offer results. As heart disease continues to challenge communities everywhere, CVPH proves that exceptional care doesn’t have to come from far away—it can thrive right here, close to home.

CVPH Cardiology

214 Cornelia Street, Ste. 203

Plattsburgh, NY 12901

518 314-3420

www.cvph.org