Second Opinion Program
Know all of your options
Second Opinion Program
Second Opinions Can Save Your Life and Your Limbs.
Complex cardiovascular conditions require a precise and comprehensive approach to treatment. When medically possible, we consider a patient’s exact diagnosis, clinical condition, life situation, and all available options to decide the best course of action. When you feel anxious about a treatment plan offered to you or a loved one, consider a second opinion. Emergency treatment aside, most cardiovascular conditions are stable and deserve thoughtful consideration for how they should be treated. At Connected Cardiovascular Care Associates, we have performed thousands of second opinions for patients over the last 25 years, often for those who want more clarity and reassurance that their treatment plan is the best possible choice for their specific condition. With our access to the latest research and devices, along with keeping up with the scientific literature as speakers at national educational symposiums, we are uniquely qualified to review your medical records, examine your situation, and prescribe a treatment plan that may be less invasive in many instances, thereby avoiding traditional surgery.
From a cardiac standpoint, the placement of stents instead of open surgery, minimally invasive robotic surgery, or even improving on medical therapy, are all less-invasive viable options for our patients. One of our many specialties include completely blocked arteries (100%), these are also called CTOs (Chronic Total Occlusions), and our success rate for re-opening these arteries with the least invasive procedures possible, is one of the highest in the country. A few of the other heart conditions we treat are, Congestive Heart Failure, and Valvular heart disease, like aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation, and these types of conditions often lend themselves to second opinion evaluations to ensure the prescribed treatment plan, is the most effective available.
When it comes to vascular conditions, like lower extremity wounds and ulcerations that have been referred for amputation, we would strongly consider a second opinion with the C3 team, whose experience in vascular treatment has saved hundreds of limbs. Amputation should not be the first and only alternative when considering options for you or a loved one’s medical condition. Many patients have undergone an amputation resulting in loss of limbs because of vascular conditions like PAD and Diabetes. This is not always a necessary procedure, and it is a life-altering event. We at C3 know other choices provide the same quality outcome, without the extensive loss, and we are proud to provide them.
Nearly 100,000 major leg amputations are performed every year in the United States. Of these, over half are attributable to diabetes mellitus and PAD. This number does not have to be you.
Your quality of life should not have to suffer, and neither should your limbs, we work hard to care for each of our patient’s needs and provide the best available options for every individual and lifestyle. We bring our innovative treatment plans to every patient we care for and consider the most efficient treatment options for best recovery results.
If you or your loved ones are interested in learning more, please schedule a consultation by calling (214) 814-1550.
If amputation was given as your only option, please know there is reason to be optimistic for a better resolution at Connected Cardiovascular Care. Call today to schedule your second opinion.
When Can You Request a Second Opinion?
It is important you feel confident and informed before proceeding with a treatment option or interventional procedure. If you still have questions, you may request a second opinion for the following diagnoses and procedures:
Coronary Artery Blockages Referred for Surgery instead of Stents
Through our Second Opinion program, evaluation is individualized to determine the best plan of care for each patient. For patients previously told they need open-heart surgery, less invasive options may be evaluated, such as catheter stenting.
Lower Extremity (Leg) Blockages or Wounds
For patients recommended for bypass surgery, our program reviews both coronary artery bypass surgery and peripheral bypasses. Particularly, peripheral bypasses can be avoided with newer endovascular techniques that do not require an incision at all.
Abdominal or Aortic Aneurysms
Our team at Connected Cardiovascular Care Associates understands a wide array of treatment options exists for abdominal and aortic aneurysms. Treatment options for these conditions may include appropriate medical management or surgical options, including minimally invasive surgery or open surgical treatment.
Arrythmias (Irregular Heartbeat/ Palpitations)
Heart arrhythmias evaluated through Connected Cardiovascular Care Associates include both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Advanced therapies that may be evaluated through the program include catheter-based ablation, surgical MAZE, the hybrid Convergent procedure, left atrial occlusion management and implantable recording devices.
Carotid Stenosis (Blockage in Neck arteries)
For simple to complex conditions, patients may turn to Dr. Tony Das, a nationally recognized cardiologist dedicated to heart and vascular disease for his second opinion.
Mitral Valve Disease (Leaking Valve)
For patients diagnosed with mitral valve disease, treatment options that may be evaluated may include transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR), transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve replacement, balloon mitral valvuloplasty, minimally invasive surgical mitral valve repair or clinical trials.
Aortic Valve Disease (Calcified Valve)
For patients diagnosed with aortic valve disease, treatment options may include transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve replacement, minimally invasive surgical aortic valve repair or replacement, or participation in clinical trials for investigative treatments.
Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy (Weak Heart/ Congestive Heart Failure)
For patients diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, evaluation through the Connected Cardiovascular Care Associates second opinions program may include advanced therapies such as minimally invasive procedures, myectomy or an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD). For patients diagnosed with heart failure, the program provides opinions regarding the management of both systolic and diastolic heart failure. Advanced therapy options that may be evaluated for these conditions may include ventricular assist devices and heart transplantation.
Other Cardiovascular Diesease Diagnoses
For simple to complex conditions, patients may turn to Dr. Tony Das, a nationally recognized physician dedicated to heart and vascular disease for his second opinion.
Are You at Risk?
Peripheral artery disease (also called PAD) is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs.
When you develop peripheral artery disease (PAD), your legs don’t receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand. This may cause symptoms, such as critical leg pain when walking (claudication). If untreated, PAD can lead to amputation.
Review our checklist to see if you should consider a vascular screening.
If you answer yes to 3 or more of these questions, you should consider vascular screening at one of our convenient locations.
