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11/16/09
LRHS partners with world-class cardiologist
A world-class interventional cardiologist collaborates with La Porte Regional Health System (LRHS) to provide highly sophisticated procedures. This demonstrates how LRHS partners with medical experts to bring specialized care to the community hospital setting.
James Hermiller, MD, is Board Certified in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. While his primary office is in the Indianapolis area, he plans to visit La Porte Hospital monthly to perform interventional repairs of heart defects as well as other complex procedures for patients within the Heart and Vascular Institute. Hermiller is a member of the La Porte Hospital medical staff, St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital and has privileges at hospitals within the Clarian Health system. LRHS is a Clarian Health partner.
“I’m so pleased to be offering specialized cardiovascular care to local patients. La Porte Regional Health System is a great organization to work with,” Hermiller said. “Generally, you could only get these types of procedures in large cities. Through our collaboration, we’re bringing world-class care to this community.”
Hermiller received his medical degree from the Ohio State University School of Medicine and completed his residency in internal medicine at the National Naval Medical Center in Maryland. Hermiller completed a fellowship in cardiology at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina and interventional cardiology with Nasser, Smith and Pinkerton Cardiology in Indianapolis. He also served six years with the United States Navy Medical Corps, where his rank included lieutenant, lieutenant commander and head of the surgical research branch.
Director of the Heart and Vascular Institute, Joseph Rosenblum, DO, performed extensive research related to procedures that will benefit patients with structural heart problems. Rosenblum said he immediately thought of Hermiller. “There are only a handful of cardiologists that everyone knows by name in this world and Dr. Hermiller is one of them,” Rosenblum said.
Procedures Hermiller performs for HVI patients include those to correct PFOs (patent foramen ovale) and ASDs (atrial septal defects). Both conditions occur either naturally or genetically when an opening in the upper chamber of the heart does not close during or after birth. Either condition, if left untreated, may result in serious conditions such as a stroke. Treatment includes inserting an 18 to 30 millimeter device to close the hole.
Another advanced heart and vascular condition Hermiller also treats are valvular blockages. He performs both aortic and mitral valvuloplasties. During the procedure, a balloon must be placed across the heart valves to improve blood flow.
Hermiller and HVI staff began performing the procedures on patients in August in the Cath Lab at La Porte Hospital.
“These are rare problems,” Rosenblum said. “It’s so beneficial to the community to receive this type of expert care locally rather than having to drive long distances for the same high quality care. By offering these services, it shows La Porte Regional Health System’s commitment to cardiovascular care.”
The new procedures utilize minimally invasive techniques. For example, the procedures are performed through small incisions in the groin area instead of undergoing open-heart surgery. The results are less pain, less costs and less recovery time.
“So many people don’t want to travel to get these types of services performed. They want to be close to home,” Hermiller said. “Now, we provide them more options.”
The Heart and Vascular Institute at LRHS is a comprehensive umbrella of medical, interventional and surgical services. For more information, visit www.laportehealth.org.