2001

BUFFALO, NY, Dec. 13, 2001 - Kaleida Health's Buffalo General Hospital led New York State in low mortality rates for angioplasty from 1995-1997 with one-third the statewide risk-adjusted mortality rate, according to a report released recently by the New York State Department of Health. Angioplasty outcomes from Kaleida's two heart care facilities (Buffalo General and Millard Fillmore Gates Circle hospitals) combined, also fared better than the statewide mortality rate.

At the same time, Kaleida's angioplasty case volume ranked in the top five among heart centers in the state.

Angioplasty, an increasingly popular alternative to cardiac surgery for many patients, is used to treat heart disease, the most common disease in America. An angioplasty clears blocked arteries through a variety of techniques. Among the most successful methods to open arteries is the placement of a stent, an expandable wire mesh tube.

While the state has released reports on mortality rates for coronary artery bypass graft surgery since 1990, this is the state's first Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI or angioplasty) report.

Buffalo General Hospital led New York State in low mortality rates for angioplasty from 1995-1997 with a 0.3 risk-adjusted mortality rate (RAMR), which is one-third the 0.92 statewide RAMR. As a system, Buffalo General and Millard Fillmore Gates Circle, achieved a combined 0.75 RAMR for 1995-1997, also less than the statewide mortality rate.

During 1995-1997, Kaleida cardiologists performed 4,192 angioplasties, the fifth largest volume among the 33 hospitals studied.

The low mortality rates and high volumes reflect an exceptional trend at Western New York's largest cardiac services department, both in volume and experience.

"Our team approach to heart care, both clinically and administratively, has helped us to achieve and maintain these impressive statistics," said Arthur Orlick, M.D., Kaleida Cardiac Services Director. "Our surgeons and cardiologists consult with one another and with their peers and meet regularly with our cardiac administrative team. We're all working with one goal in mind - to provide the best cardiac care available today. Kaleida's 30 years experience in cardiac care is a significant foundation unmatched by any other hospital in this area."