Kershaw County Medical Center now offers the preferred tool for diagnosing cardiac and vascular disease in a state-of-the-art cardiovascular laboratory.

The Medical Center's new 4,085-square-foot cardiovascular lab has the advanced equipment and specialists to diagnose disease including coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, congenital defects, cerebral artery disease, lower extremity blockages (cramping when you walk), pre-operative evaluation of abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs and other vascular disease. The lab will perform left and right heart catheterizations and coronary and peripheral angiography, as well as angioplasty and stenting of peripheral arteries.

Using the results, cardiologists and vascular surgeons are better able to recommend treatments including medication, angioplasty, stenting or surgery.

Delicate Procedures
During a heart catheterization or peripheral angiography, a thin tube is inserted through the leg and less frequently the arm. The tube is threaded to the heart or artery using X-ray guidance. Once there, pressures are measured and X-rays are taken of the heart and/or blood vessels using a contrast dye. The lab's X-ray system has a rotating tube that allows the cardiologist or vascular surgeon to inspect and evaluate blockages from different views.

The majority of cardiac procedures are left heart caths evaluating the aorta, coronary arteries and left ventricle (main pumping chamber) of the heart. A right heart cath is most often used in patients with congenital heart disease, heart valve disease or disease in the pericardium (the heart's sack).

The lab will also perform peripheral angiography and intervention to evaluate, diagnose and treat arterial and venous disease throughout the body. The catheter can be placed in the arteries and veins throughout the rest of the body for both diagnostic and treatment purposes. Peripheral vessels can be treated using balloon angioplasty and stents.

Advanced Equipment
The lab features a Toshiba Dual Plane X-Ray System optimized for performing both cardiac and vascular imaging. The technology features rotating arms to capture fast, accurate images during the exam. Integrated Philips hemodynamic monitors measure and monitor a patient's electrocardiogram, blood pressure and other vital signs. The two integrated systems provide nurses and physicians with a continuous flow of information regarding the patient's status and hemodynamic data.

Enhancing Patient Care
The $2.8 million lab is another enhancement to KCMC's cardiac and vascular services. In addition to offering more comprehensive diagnostics, patients are able to stay closer to home when having advanced cardiac and vascular procedures. There's less waiting for procedures. Patients can stay under the care of their local cardiologist or vascular surgeon who is most familiar with their health history. Patients don't have to travel or be transferred to another facility for cardiac and vascular diagnostics.

Experienced Physicians The cardiovascular staff at KCMC boasts some of the area's greatest medical talent. Many are pioneers in cardiac care at major hospitals in our area. New physicians continue to bring new skills and specialties. All continue to grow their knowledge and skills to enhance cardiac and vascular care for patients in Kershaw County. Healing Hearts Cardiac Rehab Program Our Healing Hearts Cardiac Rehabilitation Program takes a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, including education, exercise, stress management, dietary modification and vocational evaluation. Persons who qualify for the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program include patients with recent heart attack, bypass surgery, angioplasty, stent procedure or stable angina. Learn more

Cardiology M. Todd Alderson, MD, FACC, Medical Director Dr. Alderson received his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia in Columbia, MO, and his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, IN. He completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ, and his fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH. W. Lawrence Schoolmeester, MD, MMM Dr. Schoolmeester is the founder and former director of the clinical electrophysiology and pacing laboratory at Providence Hospital in Columbia, SC, and former medical director of Providence's cardiac rehabilitation program. Dr. Schoolmeester has been director of Providence Hospital's cardiac catheterization laboratory, and was chief of clinical electrophysiology and pacing at WJB Dorn Veterans Hospital, Columbia, SC. Vascular Surgery Paul Christenberry, MD, FACS Board certified in vascular and general surgery, Dr. Christenberry is one of only 42 board certified vascular surgeons in the state. He received his medical degree from University of South Alabama School of Medicine in Mobile, AL, where he also completed his internship and residency. Dr. Christenberry completed his fellowship in vascular surgery at Carolinas Medical Center's Sanger Clinic in Charlotte, NC.