CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Lufkin has been designated the 2025 Cardiovascular Center of Excellence, a significant recognition for its pioneering program in Afib and stroke prevention. This honor places the facility at the forefront of cardiac care within the CommonSpirit Health system, which encompasses 104 hospitals across the United States. Notably, it is the only hospital in this extensive network to receive such a prestigious designation.
The accolade specifically highlights the hospital’s Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) program, which utilizes a minimally invasive approach to reduce the risk of strokes in patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib). The program employs the WATCHMAN device, and to date, the dedicated medical team at St. Luke’s has successfully conducted around 300 procedures.
Dr. Subramanya G. Venkata, the lead implanting physician in the program, expressed pride in this achievement. “This is a huge win for Deep East Texas,” he stated. Dr. Venkata has personally performed over 250 WATCHMAN device implants, achieving excellent outcomes. He emphasized that this recognition affirms the community’s access to world-class heart care locally.
A Commitment to Excellence in Cardiac Care
The success of the LAAO program is attributed to the collaborative effort of the entire cardiovascular team. Alongside Dr. Venkata, Dr. Ilyas Khan and Dr. Yugandhar Manda play crucial roles in this initiative. Their combined expertise, along with the proficient cardiac catheterization lab staff, has established a solid track record in performing these advanced procedures.
Dr. Ilyas Khan commented on the significance of the designation, stating, “The designation as a WATCHMAN Center of Excellence affirms our commitment to delivering safe, evidence-based, state-of-the-art treatment options for patients with atrial fibrillation in Deep East Texas.” He highlighted the team’s dedication to providing patients with comprehensive information regarding their treatment options.
Dr. Manda echoed these sentiments, noting, “It’s an honor to be part of a team so dedicated to patient-centered care.” He emphasized that the team’s commitment to excellence is what sets their heart program apart as a vital resource for the community.
Ensuring Patient Safety and Quality Care
Dr. Ravinder Bachireddy, president of the Heart Institute of East Texas and chief of cardiology at CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial, underscored the importance of patient safety in their procedures. He stated that the complication rate for their procedures is below the national benchmark, which highlights the high quality of care provided by their skilled physicians. “This designation is a promise to our community that they are in the best hands possible,” Dr. Bachireddy affirmed.
The WATCHMAN procedure offers a promising alternative to long-term blood thinners for many patients. By implanting the WATCHMAN device, physicians can effectively block stroke-causing blood clots from exiting the heart, providing a potentially life-changing solution for those at risk.
This recognition not only highlights the expertise of the medical team at CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Lufkin but also reinforces its role as a leader in innovative heart care solutions within Deep East Texas.
