Cardiovascular History
Huntsville Hospital pioneered cardiac care for patients in the Tennessee Valley. More than a quarter-century later, with the experience of performing more than 15,000 open heart surgeries, our cardiothoracic surgeons, nurses and other hospital professionals have become this region’s trusted team for providing outstanding cardiac care.
- 2008
- Alabama’s first hospital listed in U.S. News & World Report for “Get With the Guidelines” triple recognition in areas of coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke
- Three-star rating for cardiac surgery by Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)
- Expansion and relocation of Congestive Heart Failure Clinic
- Congestive Heart Failure Clinic receives Joint Commission accreditation as a disease management specialty clinic
- Alabama's first hospital to offer Aquapheresis Mechanical Diuresis, an innovative therapy that removes excess fluid from the body, for Decompensated Heart Failure.
- 2007
- New Madison Street Tower houses cardiac care unit
- 2006
- 25th anniversary of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)
- Establishment of Heart Alert Network
- 2005
- 13,000th open heart surgery case performed
- Implementation of special training to recognize, treat and prevent heart disease in women
- Critical care ambulance introduced
- CT angiography added
- 2004
- FirstHEART, an initiative to integrate inpatient and outpatient services, formed
- 25th anniversary for the cath lab
- 64-slice PET scanner acquired
- Chest Pain Center opens
- 2003
- 1,000th endoscopic vein harvesting procedure performed
- Congestive Heart Failure nursing unit opens
- Drug eluting stents were added
- 2002
- 10,000th open heart surgery case performed
- 2001
- First endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) procedure
- First off-pump bypass open heart surgery
- 1997
- First defibrillator implant
- First Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Clinic
- 1996
- First EP studies (Electrophysiology Procedure)
- First ablation procedure
- 12 Lead EKGs in the field
- 1992
- First transesophageal echo (TEE)
- 1986
- Opening of Cardiac Rehabilitation Center
- 1984
- First thrombolytics given to heart attack patients
- First valve replacement
- First balloon angioplasty
- 1981
- First open heart bypass surgery, Dr. Stan Riley
- 1979
- First cardiac catheterization
- 1976
- Region’s first pacemaker implant, Dr. Peter Yu
