Advanced Revascularization Clinic (ARC)

At the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, we provide advanced cardiovascular care to patients with heart and vascular disease. Our multidisciplinary team collaborates across various specialties to ensure patients receive comprehensive care at every stage. To help achieve this goal, interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons at UPMC Presbyterian have created a clinic to treat patients diagnosed with complex coronary artery disease. This clinic offers convenient evaluation from multiple specialties in a single visit to create a plan focused on innovative treatment, including robotic cardiac surgery and advanced catheter-based techniques.

During the initial clinic visit, patients will receive education about their surgical options, including minimally invasive alternatives, percutaneous options for total occlusions, catheter therapy, or robotic-assisted bypass grafts.

“The Advanced Revascularization Clinic is designed to serve patients across the region by expanding convenient access to evaluation and testing services” says Catalin Toma, MD, interventional cardiologist at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. “This clinic enables us to care for patients by limiting the burden of travel and the need for multiple appointments.”

The ARC allows shared decision making between both interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery specialties. This expedites the formulation and execution of treatment plans that will ultimately improve patient experience.

Prior to the introduction of this clinic, patients would start with a surgical consultation at UPMC Presbyterian with Johannes Bonatti, MD. They would then return to Pittsburgh for a second appointment with the cardiology team. Sometimes, a patient would need to come back a third time if more testing or evaluations were needed.

Patients who qualify for this unique care model include those diagnosed with:

• Chronic total occlusion of coronary arteries.
• Failed percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or in-stent restenosis (ISR).
• Multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) or left main coronary artery disease (LM CAD) in patients of advanced age with comorbidities or frailty.
• Severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.
• High risk redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
• Selective second opinions.
• Patients seeking less invasive, hybrid therapies.

Patients that are deemed appropriate candidates will be scheduled to be seen at the ARC and will also be scheduled for testing, if necessary. (Stress testing, PET viability, Cardiac MR, TTE, PFTs, CTA-CAP, if potential surgical candidate) When possible, virtual visits will be offered for patients who live far away as an initial screening or second opinion.

This “one-stop-shop” for cardiac care is of utmost importance for those that live a distance from Pittsburgh, including Jim.

“Our outcomes exemplify the outstanding talent and skill of the entire team,” says Johannes Bonatti, MD, director of robotic cardiac surgery, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. “Our extensive experience and legacy of excellence are unparalleled. We remain committed to improving the patient experience while driving innovation and achieving patient outcomes that are consistently among the best.”

To refer a patient to the ARC clinic, you may contact us via EPIC, phone, or email at either of the following:

Referrals for complex/high risk PCI:

• Route in Epic to PUH Structural and Valve Clinical Staff
• Call 412-647-7712 to speak with scheduling
• Email: MichalskiLM@UPMC.edu

Referrals for Robotically Assisted Minimally Invasive CAB or Hybrid approach:

• Route in Epic to P CS UC CLINICAL STAFF
• Call 412-648-6200, opt 7 to speak directly with a clinical team member
• Email: CastorER@UPMC.edu