American Heart of Poland Medical Center

Welcome to American Heart of Poland Medical Center

American Heart of Poland company has been established by the experienced cardiologists and cardiosurgeons from Poland and the USA in 2000. The main goal is to build a network of modern Polish-American Heart Clinics. At the moment American Heart of Poland comprises 20 Branches in Poland which provide highly-specialized medical services in the field of diagnosis and treatment of heart and circulatory system diseases. All departments of Polish-American Heart Clinics have 24-hours emergency standby duties to serve patients with different forms of acute coronary syndrome, inclusive of acute heart infarction. The one of the biggest success of the American Heart of Poland is reduction mortality rate in myocardial infarction from 30% to 3% on Polish market.

Polish American Clinic Serca (Polsko-Amerykańskie Kliniki Serca - PAKS),  American Heart of Poland S.A. are the network of interventional cardiology, angiology and also cardio surgery sections in Poland. In 2000, the hospitals were established at the initiative of excellent Polish doctors along with the United States of America. The Founding Fathers of American Heart of Poland were Pawel Buszman, Stefan R. Kiesz and also Jack L. Martin.

Over the past 12 years of their activity, PAKS became well known as a medical professionals group and grew to become a recognized medical center in Poland and abroad.

Currently, PAKS has 20 complete equipped divisions, such as cardio surgery (with a hybrid operational room which is exclusive in Poland). PAKS sections are situated throughout Poland in Ustroń, Bielsko-Biała, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Starachowice, Mielec, Polanica Zdrój, Nysa, Tychy, Chrzanów, Rzeszów and also Bełchatów. In these centers the medical services are offered under the guidance of Paweł Buszman, MD, PhD, along with the guidance of cardio surgical consultation services executed by Andrzej Bochenek, MD, PhD.

The skilled experts at PAKS, come from famous medical centers. Here we have professional doctors, nurses and also experienced specialists.

The wards are on call 24-hours a day for patients with various types of serious coronary syndromes, such as acute myocardial infarction, allowing their therapy with the use of percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCI). This action significantly shortens the delay in myocardial infarction therapy and it can also represent a key factor in good therapy outcomes (lower rates of mortality in case of myocardial infarction -  from 30% to 3%).

PAKS Medical Services

Medical services offered include:

• Cardiology and cardiac surgery consultation
• Non-invasive tests: ECG, Holter, stress test, and others
• Control and programming of pacemakers and cardioverter-defibrillators.

Cardiology Diagnosis and Therapy:

• Intensive treatment of acute coronary disease (myocardial infarction, unstable angina)
• Coronary angiography
• Coronary angioplasty with implantation of bare metal stents and anti-mitotic
• Peripheral arterial angiography with stent implantation in the treatment of carotid artery disease: carotid, subclavian, renal, iliac and lower limb arteries
• Atherectomy treatment of peripheral arterial
• Valvuloplasty (heart valve repair) treatments - mitral and aortic
• Stent-grafts implantation procedures in the treatment of aortic aneurysms.

Department of Vascular Surgery:

• Carotid operations
• Implantation of aortic stent grafts
• Coronary angioplasty with implantation of bare metal stents and anti-mitotic
• Peripheral arterial angiography with stent implantation in the treatment of carotid artery disease: carotid, subclavian, renal, iliac and lower limb arteries
• Bypass operations in the aorto-iliac, femoral bypass, femoral-popliteal
• Operations of abdominal aortic aneurysms and iliac arteries
• Vein surgery with Safenectomia, intravascular laser vein surgery, local excision of varicose veins, sclerotherapy of varicose veins
• Consultative advice
• CDD peripheral test (various areas).

Department of Electrophysiology and Electrostimulation:

• Implantation and the exchange of cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter - defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices in heart failure (CRT, CRT-D) and the exchange of
• Arrhythmia diagnosis and treatment: a mapping of arrhythmias, ablation of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, ventricular arrhythmia foci and additional pathways in the heart.

Magnetic Resonance Laboratory:

• MRI of the head
• Pituitary MRI
• Orbital MRI
• MRI of the temporal bone pyramid
• Craniofacial MRI
• MRI of the sinuses
• MRI of the spine and spinal cord segments (cervical, thoracic and lumbar-sacral)
• MRI of the osteoarticular system
• Abdominal MRI
• Pelvic MRI
• Blood MRI
• MRI examination of the bile ducts (MR cholangio)
• MRI angiography of the aorta and peripheral arteries
• Cardiac magnetic resonance assessment of myocardial perfusion and infarct zone.

Laboratory of Computer Tomography:

• CT scan of the head
• Perfusion CT of central nervous system
• Facial and neck CT scan
• CT scan of the chest
• Abdominal CT scan
• Pelvic CT scan
• Examination of the jaws prior and post dental implants (dental CT)
• Trauma and orthopedic research
• Angiography CT scan
• AngioCT cerebrovascular
• AngioCT carotid and vertebral arteries
• AngioCT aortic arch vessels and thoracic aorta
• AngioCT abdominal aorta, visceral and renal arteries
• AngioCT coronary
• AngioTK pulmonary arteries

Why Medical Tourism in Poland?

As a heaven of low healthcare prices, Poland was discovered a few years ago, by international travelers, during shopping trips. Nowadays, Poland is identified as a relaxation destination, frequently associated with therapy and rehabilitation. Poland has become a leader of Central Europe’s medical tourism industry, most frequently visited by Germans, British, Scandinavians and Canadians.

About Us

The American Heart of Poland Group is one of the most important facilities offering treatment for cardiovascular diseases in Poland. Polsko-Ameryka?skie Kliniki Serca, American Heart of Poland S.A. (PAKS, AHP) is a network of interventional cardiology, angiology and cardiosurgery departments in Poland.

• complex treatment of patients with diffuse coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis (including carotid atherosclerosis);
• performing complex coronary interventions in patients disqualified from cardiosurgical treatment;
• insertion of devices for atherectomy of peripheral arteries to prevent the consequences of ischaemia in lower extremities.

Our Medical Centers

Ustron 1st Department of Cardiology and Angiology ul. Sanatoryjna 7 43-450 Ustron
Bielsko-Biala 2nd Department of Cardiology and 1st Department of Cardiac Surgery ul. Armii Krajowej 101 43-316 Bielsko-Biala
Dabrowa Gornicza 3rd Department of Invasive Cardiology, Angiology and Electrocardiology ul. Szpitalna 13 41-300 Dabrowa Górnicza
Kedzierzyn Kozle 4th Department of Invasive Cardiology, Electrostimulation and Angiology ul. Roosevelta 2 47-200 Kedzierzyn Kozle
Mielec 5th Department of Invasive Cardiology and Angiology ul. ?eromskiego 22 39-300 Mielec
Starachowice Dr Wadiusz Kiesz Cardiology and Angiology Center ul. Radomska 70 d 27-200 Starachowice
Polanica Zdroj The Sudeckie Cardiology and Angiology Center ul. Jana Paw?a II 2 57-320 Polanica Zdroj
Nysa Center of Cardiology in Nysa ul. Marii Sk?odowskiej -Curie 1 48-300 Nysa
Rzeszow 9th Center of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery ul. Ks. Ja?owego 10 35-010 Rzeszow
Tychy 10 Department of Invasive Cardiology, Electrophysiology and Electrostimulation ul. Edukacji 102, 43-100 Tychy
Nysa Nyskie Cardiology Center
Chrzanow The Malopolskie Cardiology and Angiology Center ul. Topolowa 16 32-500 Chrzanów
Belchatow 12th Department of Invasive Cardiology ul. Czapliniecka 123 ; 97-400 Belchatow
Sztum The Center of Cardiology and Angiology in Sztum ul. Mikolaja Reja 12, 82-400 Sztum
Katowice Heart and Vascular Diseases Outpatient Polyclinics “Telcor” ul. 10, 40-521 Katowice
Wroclaw Medical Center in Wroclaw - Outpatient Polyclinic 7a , 53-332 Wroclaw

Our Laboratories

Dabrowa Gornicza Driven by the good people and the desire to ensure the Basin-art diagnosis of Invasive Cardiology, Angiology and Electrophysiology Polish American Heart Clinic Hospital in D?browa Computer Tomography Laboratory started.
Olesnica This device Allows for quick and precise tomography diagnostics. The tomograph is equipped with full and complete software together with the recent diagnosis supporting applications, so called CAD (Computed Aided Diagnosis), Which can be used in neurology, oncology and imaging vessels.
Chrzanow The Magnetic Resonance Imaging Laboratory is equipped with a modern BBC News Philips apparatus with magnetic field strength of 1.5 Tesla.
Ustron One of the priorities of the Polish-American Cardiology Clinics is introduction of state-of-the-art diagnostics methods into daily medical practice.
Rzeszow Laboratory diagnostic imaging - CT in Rzeszow
Starachowice Laboratory diagnostic imaging - CT in Starachowice

Implemented solutions and scientific accomplishments

The Research and Development Centre at AHP has completed over 18 projects which enabled the implementation of the following solutions in clinical practice:

• “Chopin”, the first Polish coronary stent made of 316L stainless steel,
• “KOS”, a coronary stent made of cobalt-chromium alloy,
• the first stent eluting an antiproliferative drug (paclitaxel) from the surface of a biodegradable polymer,
• “Shellak”, coatings used on the surfaces of stents and balloons,
• “Coflexus”, a coronary stent with thin struts made of cobalt-chromium alloy,
• ”Alex”, coronary stent eluting sirolimus,
• balloons coated with antiproliferative drugs.

These solutions have had a significant influence on the development of invasive cardiology in Poland. They have improved patients’ safety and comfort through reduced risk of complications and repeated revascularisations, and shorter recovery time, and have also improved the availability of modern technologies and considerably reduced their price. 

In 2011 we received funding and began the implementation of a project under a Scientific Grant from the Polpharma Scientific Foundation: “Development of an everolimus delivery system based on biodegradable nanospheres in order to limit neointimal hyperplasia following implantation of a coronary stent”. So far the scientific team of the Research and Development Centre has completed the following projects awarded grants:

• Evaluation of efficacy and safety of local intracoronary paclitaxel delivery using a transport catheter to prevent restenosis after stent implantation in a porcine model.Grant number: NN-6-247/05.
• Evaluation of the effect of intracoronary adiponectin delivery during acute ischaemia/reperfusion in a porcine myocardial infarction model. Grant number: NN-6-293/06.
• Evaluation of the effect of intracoronary abciximab delivery during acute ischaemia/reperfusion in a porcine myocardial infarction model. Number of statutory grant SUM: KNW -10 - 94/07.

In addition, we have completed, or are carrying out, a number of pre-clinical and clinical studies evaluating new devices and treatment methods for cardiovascular diseases. In 2006 we received an award from the “European Working Group on Interventional Cardiology” for a study entitled  “Biodegradable polymer coated paclitaxel eluting stents in porcine coronary 

• Example research projects being carried out currently or planned by the R&D Centre cover the following areas:
• structural heart defects (occluder devices),
• electrostimulation (novel electrodes for programmed stimulation),

preventing restenosis in coronary and peripheral arteries (new generation DES stents, balloons coated with anti-proliferative substances), interventional treatment of refractory hypertension (renal denervation),

• preventing reperfusion lesions,
• pathophysiological aspects of coronary atheromatosis and aortic valve stenosis,
• regeneration of cardiac muscle and biomaterials.

About the American Heart of Poland SA Research and Development Centre

The Research and Development Centre (R&D Centre) within the structure of AHP was established as the initiative of Professor Pawe? Buszman in cooperation with young doctors and students and institutions promoting and developing new technologies applied in medicine.

The R&D Centre is owned by American Heart of Poland SA, a company that established a network of modern facilities for invasive cardiology, cardiac surgery and vascular surgery in Poland. Funds for the development of current scientific activity carried out at AHP, and for the establishment of the R&D Centre (PLN 18 million) were granted under the Innovative Economy Operational Programme 2007-2013, Measure 4.5,  Support for investments of great importance to the economy, Sub-measure 4.5.2., Support for investments in the sector of modern services.

The establishment of the R&D Centre was inspired by the rapid development in medical technologies, particularly in interventional cardiology, that require pre-clinical and clinical studies to be carried out, as well as for ongoing education for medical professionals.

With modern equipment and highly qualified personnel, including interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, vascular surgeons and pathomorphologists, we carry out and plan new high-quality research focused on the implementation of new techniques in everyday clinical practice.

We cooperate with a number of scientific centres and medical companies in Poland and abroad, including:

• Cardiovascular Research Foundation, New York, USA
• Texas Heart Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
• Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Zabrze
• Polpharma
• Division of Histopathology at the Institute of Morphology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice
• Division of Experimental and Clinical Radiobiology, Institute of Oncology in Gliwice

Medical Services Offered At American Heart Of Poland Medical Center

Cardiological treatment at PAKS is designed for cardiac disease prevention, therapy, enhancing the high quality of life, restriction of disease development and also lowering the degree of mortality caused by cardiac disease. Additionally, it allows quick physical recuperation and returning back to work in shorter period of time after cardiological and cardiosurgical intervention methods.

Cardiological Rehabilitation

The PAKS Cardiological Rehabilitation Therapy has three stages:

1. Hospital Rehabilitation is introduced as soon as the patient is stabilized. PAKS aims at preventing immobilization, restoring the patient’s full self-care efficiency and improving his/her psychological condition. This stage is carried out by the highest class specialist.

2. Improving patient’s health and psycho-physical skills and introducing the rules of cardiac disease secondary prevention. This prevention stage is customized to each patient. This is performed in Ustro? Spa („Uzdrowisko Ustro?”*).

3. Outpatient and sanatorium care is aimed at maintaining previous therapeutic effects and continuation of pro-health life style (specialized doctor consultations) ,in American Heart of Poland Clinics and stay in Health Resort „Równica”.

The treatment plan is customized for each patient of Heart Clinics by the highest class professional group of American Heart of Poland Clinics.

Cardiosurgery

The First Cardiosurgery Department of American Heart of Poland Clinics in Bielsko- Bia?a was created under the project of building a Research and Development Centre, co-financed from the European Union resources.

Services offered by Cardiosurgery Department

Traditional operations with access through sternotomy:

• Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) 
• Operations involving cardiac valve exchange or repair
• Surgical treatment of attrial fibrillation (Ablation LA)
• Aneurysms and delaminating of ascending aorta operations, aorta arch and descending aorta

Low-invasive operations with use of endovision technique

• Low-invasive coronary arteries bypass grafting (MIDCAB, EACAB)
• Mini-invasive collection of grand saphenous vein for coronary bypass grafting
• Low-invasive surgical procedures on mitral and tricuspid valve, inborn cardiac defects (mini MVpl.,mini TVpl., PFO closure)
• Low-invasive surgical treatment of attrial fibrillation

Hybrid surgical procedures based on innovative hybrid room technology

• Percutaneous and transcatheter aortal and pulmonary valve implantation procedures (TAVI, PAVTI)
• Hybrid coronary bypass grafting procedures (MIDCAB, EACAB + PCI)
• Hybrid reconstruction surgical procedures of thoracic aorta aneurysms and delaminating with use of stent grafts
• Percutaneous treatment of thoracic aorta aneurysms and eliminations with use of stent grafts
• Treatment of cardiac structural defects.

Vascular Surgery

The vascular surgery departments use TELEDICOM system which enables sending the data from examinations and intravascular procedures via internet from one centre to another, to ensure the best diagnosis and treatment.

In atherosclerosis treatment for example the participation of medical doctors from various fields is necessary. Cardiology and also vascular surgical treatment divisions can be found as different entities, so TELEDICOM makes the treatment easier and more time-efficent.

The ultrasonography laboratory with multi-slice computer tomography and magnetic resonance laboratory provide the possibility of performing comprehensive examination of peripheral vessels such as carotid arteries, subclavian arteries, abdominal aorta, visceral and renal arteries and lower limbs arteries.

Procedures performed under vascular surgery:

• Selective angiography of peripheral arteries angioTK and angioMRI
• Angioplasty with stent implantation (in renal arteries, iliac arteries and lower limbs peripheral arteries)
• Lower limbs atherectomy
• Carotid arteries stenting – CAS
• Carotid arteries surgery with classic method – CEA
• Stent graft implantation in abdominal artery aneurysms /Endurant, Anaconda/ - EVAR (Endovascular Aneurysm Repair)
• Classic surgery of abdominal aorta and iliac arteries aneurysm
• Bypass surgery in aortal and abdominal section, aortal and iliac section and iliac and popliteal section
• Varicectomy with saphenectomy, varicectomy with use of intravascular laser.

Our Medical Team

Welcome to American Heart of Poland Medical Center

Welcome to American Heart of Poland Medical Center

Opening of the Research and Development Centre of American Heart of Poland

13 June 2012 – American Heart of Poland (AHP) has officially opened its Research and Development Centre (CBR), the only such centre for pre-clinical and clinical research in Poland. At this centre the latest medical discoveries get a chance for safe move from a laboratory to an operating theatre where they can save lives of patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Scientific Cooperation

1. San Antonio Endovascular and Heart Institute and University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, U.S.A
2. Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, U.S.A.
3. The Cardiovascular Research Foundation, New York, U.S.A.
4. The  University Hospital  in Bern, Switzerland
5. The Institute of Zootechnology  in Cracow
6. The Silesian Center for  Heart Diseases  
7. Royal Brompton Hospital, London
8. University of Geneva, Switzerland

Publications

1. Buszman PP, Szymanski R, Debinski M, et al. Long-term results of cephalad arteries percutanoeus transluminal angioplasty with stent implantation (The CAPTAS registry). Catheter Cardiovasc Interv;79:532-40. 
2. Buszman PP, Wojakowski W, Milewski K, et al. Controlled Reperfusion with Intravenous Bivalirudin and Intracoronary Abciximab Combination Therapy in the Porcine Myocardial Infarction Model. Thromb Res. 
3. Król M, Skwarna B, Ga?uszka G. et al. Giant aneurysm in medial anterior descending artery: treatment with two endovascular stent grafts on bare metal stent scaffold. Post.Kardiol.Interw.2011; Vol.7, nr 2 
4. Milewski K, Zurakowski A, Pajak J, et al. Effects of local intracoronary paclitaxel delivery using the Remedy transport catheter on neointimal hyperplasia after stent implantation in a porcine model. Cardiovasc Revasc Med;12:82-9. 
5. Debinski M, Buszman PP, Milewski K, et al. Intracoronary adiponectin at reperfusion reduces infarct size in a porcine myocardial infarction model. Int J Mol Med;27:775-81. 
6. Kiesz RS, Wiernek BK, Wiernek SL, et al. Cardiva Catalyst II vascular access management device in percutaneous  diagnostic and interventional procedures with same-day discharge (Catalyst II trial). J Endovasc Ther;18:46-53. 
7. Vassilev D, Gil R, Milewski K. Bifurcation Optimisation Stent System (BiOSS Lim) with sirolimus elution: results  from porcine coronary artery model. EuroIntervention;7:614-20.

Our Center