Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. In the United States, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to a heart attack. It’s important to catch heart disease diagnoses early by getting tested. Heart disease can be tested and detected from blood tests, imaging tests, and other various tests.
Dr. Elvis Cami has been the Medical Director of Advanced Cardiac Imaging at the MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Long Beach Medical Center since Dec. 2020. Advanced cardiac imaging is transforming the way heart disease is diagnosed and treated, and it’s significantly improving patient outcomes.
Dr. Cami brings extensive training in cardiac imaging technology and techniques to the Long Beach community. He ensures that patients receive the most accurate and timely diagnosis, using the most advanced and personalized treatments for heart disease. The imaging expertise he brings to MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center is on par with an advanced health institute in an academic setting.
“Unfortunately, we see many patients who have congenital heart diseases, as well,” said Dr. Cami. “In order to figure out what surgeries or procedures they need, you need imaging that can precisely identify their condition.”
Advanced cardiac imaging methods and techniques that Dr. Cami practices includes cardiac computerized tomography (CT), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), echocardiography and intraoperative imaging. He also uses 3D imaging and 3D printing to provide the care team with a procedural roadmap to best treat each patient’s unique diagnosis.
Dr. Cami added, “We can provide real-time imaging on a patient when they are undergoing a procedure. For example, if we perform the MitraClip™ procedure on a patient who needs a mitral valve repair to treat mitral regurgitation, an MRI will not only identify the etiology and severity of the mitral regurgitation, but it can help the cardiologist guide the clip placement. Advanced cardiac imaging plays a huge role in procedures like these.”
Whether helping to prevent people from having a cardiac episode, or identifying which cardiac devices a patient needs implanted, Dr. Cami says he continues to strive to improve the heart health of individuals in our community with the use of advanced cardiac imaging.