Medical Intel

In general, the most dreaded complication associated with atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is the occurrence of stroke. The first line of defense is usually a blood thinner–an oral medication taken to reduce the risk. But for some patients, these are not a safe solution. In these cases, a new implantable device called the Watchman™, may help. Listen in as Manish Shah, MD, an electrophysiologist at MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, explains the benefits of the Watchman. MedStar Washington Hospital Center is the first in the region to implant this device.

Most young cardiologists are now being trained to perform cardiac catheterizations transradially– or through the wrist. Traditionally, this procedure, which is used to diagnose or treat arterial disease, involved inserting a catheter in the groin. The transradial approach provides a much more comfortable recovery for the patient and lowers the risk of bleeding, which can significantly impact outcomes, even reducing mortality in certain patients. Listen in as Robert Lager, MD, explains how this procedure has evolved and the benefits for patients, today.

Approximately 12 million Americans are affected by thyroid disease and some of those cases may be cancerous. When a thyroid nodule is discovered, imaging, biopsies and possibly surgery may be recommended. Jennifer Rosen, MD, Chief of Endocrine Surgery and Vice Chair of Research at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, provides the full picture of what to expect during the process.

Heart failure is a very common condition, affecting more than 5 million Americans. But it is not a death sentence. Through lifestyle changes, new medications, and advances in technology, the condition can be managed and patients can lead longer, fuller lives. Listen as Samer S. Najjar, MD, the Director of Advanced Heart Failure at MedStar Washington Hospital Center discusses advanced heart failure and the ways that it can be managed for a better quality of life.

Approximately 800,000 people have a stroke each year; about one every 40 seconds. MedStar Washington Hospital Center is the first hospital in the Washington region to be certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. The Hospital Center joins an elite group of only 73 medical centers nationwide to receive this prestigious certification. Listen as Amie Hsia, MD, Medical Director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, discusses what exactly happens in your body during a stroke, the ways we can stop it and the importance of receiving diagnosis and treatment quickly.

Palliative care services at MedStar Washington Hospital Center provide hospitalized patients with serious illnesses ongoing relief from symptoms and stress during and after treatment. Our interdisciplinary palliative care team members are experts in this specialized field of medicine—and deliver an important level of additional support to our patients. The team takes a holistic approach to care aimed at healing mind, body and spirit. Listen in as James Hunter Groninger, MD, discusses how members of the team work collaboratively with one another, and hand-in-hand with patients' other medical specialists and health care providers to help ease physical pain and other symptoms and promote patients' emotional, psycho-social and spiritual health at any stage of illness.

When it comes to sex after 40, one of the biggest misconceptions is that age will sour your sex life. But in reality, many women in midlife say the quality of sex is better than ever. Listen in as Cheryl Iglesia, MD, discusses myth vs. reality about midlife sex.

For older adults, particularly those with dementia, hearing loss can increase isolation and damage their overall quality of life. Cochlear implants are an effective treatment for hearing loss, but the anesthesia used during the procedure may cause risks for this populations. Listen in as Selena Heman-Ackah, MD, explains how she performs the implantation procedure with only local anesthesia with sedation to improve the overall outcome and decrease the risks of the procedure for patients with dementia.