Pulmonary and critical care
Department of Pulmonary Medicine
The Department of Pulmonary Medicine is a group of faculty members and trained nurses who provide comprehensive consultative evaluation and management for patients with pulmonary disease associated with cardiac disease, critically ill post-cardiac surgery pulmonary complication patients, and patients requiring workup for undiagnosed lung abnormalities.
The division's approach to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of respiratory disease focuses on heart disease. The department operates as a Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) team, consisting of pulmonologists, echocardiologists, radiologists, peripheral vascular specialists, heart failure specialists, and cardiac surgeons for treatment decision-making.
Laboratories and Staffing
3 faculty members work in this ward, which includes 3 separate laboratories: Sleep Lab, CPET Lab, and Pulmonary Function Test Lab.
Sleep Laboratory Services
In the sleep laboratory, 3 nurses and technicians trained in sleep medicine provide the following services under the supervision of faculty members:
Consultation and evaluation by specialists
State-of-the-art 2-bed sleep laboratory
Detailed evaluation and treatment of cardiac-related sleep disorders
Management of NIV adjustment difficulties
Polysomnography (PSG) and PAP titration
Respiratory Physiology and Diagnostics
Respiratory Physiology Services
Preparatory pulmonary evaluation of high-risk patients
Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) for comprehensive assessment of heart and lung conditions.
The CPET laboratory is a national referral center for evaluating symptoms during physical activity. 12 trained nurses work under direct supervision. In addition, 5 trained technicians work with Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) and invasive ventilation under the supervision of pulmonologists and anesthesiologists. Post-cardiac surgery pulmonary complications, such as difficult weaning or hypercapnic hypoxic failure, are managed by expert physicians.
Consultative and Bronchoscopy Services
Respiration Service / Consultative Services
Evaluation and management of pulmonary disease in patients with heart failure, cardiovascular disease, and pulmonary vascular disease
Preoperative pulmonary evaluation for high-risk patients before cardiac surgeries, including CABG, valvular surgery, and cardiac transplantation
Evaluation and management of sleep disturbances, including sleep apnea, insomnia, and other sleep-related issues
Diagnostic Bronchoscopy Services
Diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)
Endobronchial and transbronchial lung biopsy
Bronchoscopy for pulmonary and critically ill cardiac patients in ICU, CCU, and bronchoscopy room