For More Information:
Michelle Lynch, 386.671.5096
For Immediate Release
Ormond Beach, FL (February 18, 2009) – It’s called Endoscopic Radial Artery Harvesting and
Florida Hospital Ormond Memorial is paving the way for cardiac surgeons around the region with this advanced technique reducing scarring and infection risk for bypass operations. Bypass operations reroute blood around clogged arteries to improve blood flow and oxygen to the heart.
William Johnson, MD, is offering endoscopic radial artery harvesting, which involves taking the radial artery from the arm to use in open-heart surgery for bypass operations. The ulnar artery continues to convey blood from the heart.
Using an endoscope, a minimally invasive tool, the artery is removed through an incision at the wrist as little as one-half inch.
Advantages include:
- Less visible scarring
- Less pain and swelling post-operation
- Quicker recovery
- Less risk of infection
Some physicians may use an artery from the arm, but are not using this progressive technique to retrieve the artery.
Dr. Johnson said what attracts people most to this procedure is the one-half to 1 inch scar at the wrist versus an 8 to 9 inch scar on the forearm.
“Florida Hospital Ormond Memorial has continued to offer state-of-the-art cardiac surgical procedures. This procedure is another in that line of service to the community,” Dr. Johnson said.
For interview and photo opportunities with Dr. Johnson and local patients who’ve undergone the procedure, please call 386.671.5090.
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Created in 1967, Florida Hospital Ormond Memorial specializes in a wide range of health services for the entire family, including many nationally recognized programs in cardiology, cancer, women's medicine, pediatrics, neurology, diabetes, hospice care, orthopedics and rehabilitation. In July 2009, Florida Hospital Ormond Memorial will move into a new, 718,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility. As a member of the Adventist Health System, Inc., Florida Hospital Ormond Memorial is part of a network of 37 hospitals in 10 states.