By: Lineth Fernandez

Broward Health is expanding cardiac services across the system, adding new technology, procedures and specialists to increase access to advanced heart care, reflecting its commitment to caring for your heart with all of ours.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Florida, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart disease encompasses many conditions, including coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, heart failure and heart valve disease.

Coronary artery disease, the most common type, occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries and reduces or blocks blood flow to the heart. If left untreated, the condition can lead to a heart attack. Arrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm, while heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the heart’s four valves do not function properly.

“We are further enhancing the multispecialty cardiac care we provide so our patients have access to innovative therapies and treatments,” said Jose Baez-Escudero, M.D., chief of cardiology and electrophysiology for the Broward Health Physician Group.

Structural Heart Care Expansion

Broward Health, an early provider of structural heart care in South Florida, has expanded its program with the addition of board-certified interventional cardiologist Pablo Rengifo-Moreno, M.D., to lead its structural heart program.

Dr. Rengifo-Moreno brings advanced expertise in treating complex valve conditions and uses FDA-approved and investigational devices for valve repair and replacement, including the MitraClip, PASCAL and Tendyne systems, as well as transcatheter aortic valve replacement implants. He also plans to integrate emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and advanced imaging, to enhance early detection and improve patient outcomes.

“Structural heart disease is a rapidly evolving field,” Dr. Rengifo-Moreno said. “By integrating emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and advanced imaging, we can improve early detection and optimize outcomes.”

A New Era for Atrial Fibrillation

At Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Dr. Baez performed the first atrial fibrillation ablation in Broward County using the VARIPULSE™ pulsed field ablation catheter.

“We brought on the pulsed field ablation procedure less than a year ago, and we are enhancing it with the latest technology to improve patient outcomes and quality of life for those diagnosed with AFib,” Dr. Baez said.

The technology is designed to deliver ablations at precise locations and allows accurate visualization of the catheter within the patient’s anatomy to support pulmonary vein isolation.

To meet growing community needs in northwest Broward County, Broward Health North and Broward Health Coral Springs have expanded their cardiac programs and now offer left-sided ablations to treat atrial fibrillation. Cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses energy to create small scars in the heart to block abnormal electrical signals and restore normal rhythm.

Listen to Your Body, Early Detection is Important

Last year, Coral Springs resident Owen Creighton, 38, sought care at the Broward Health Coral Springs Emergency Department after experiencing a racing heart, dizziness and lightheadedness. Under the care of Jonathan Nieves, M.D., a cardiologist specializing in electrophysiology with the Broward Health Physician Group, Owen became the first patient to undergo a left-sided ablation at the hospital.

“AFib most commonly affects older adults, but it can occur in younger patients as well,” Dr. Nieves said. “That’s why early screening is so important. Detecting heart rhythm abnormalities early can save lives.”

Owen was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation 10 years earlier and didn’t tolerate blood thinners. When doctors recommended a minimally invasive procedure known as cardiac ablation, he agreed it was the best treatment option for him.

“Following my procedure, I feel great and have not had any cardiac episodes,” Owen said.

Facility Upgrades

Broward Health North recently opened an 11,600-square-foot cardiac catheterization suite as part of an expansion of its cardiovascular service line. The suite includes two new catheterization labs, increasing the hospital’s total to three.

The labs are equipped with next-generation imaging and diagnostic systems designed to improve visualization, procedural accuracy and workflow efficiency while reducing radiation exposure. The suite also includes patient-focused amenities.

At Broward Health Imperial Point, patients can also benefit from advanced imaging services at the Jacqueline J. Bernstein & Marvin H. Weiner Imaging Center, made possible by a generous $5.5 million donation. The center features both MRI and CT scanners designed to deliver fast, accurate results.

The advanced CT scanner uses dual-source technology, combining two X-ray tubes and two detectors to create clearer images in less time. This technology allows for quicker scans, lower radiation exposure and highly accurate diagnoses.

For more information on Broward Health’s cardiac services, visit BrowardHealth.org/CardiacCare.