Authors:
Farid Aliyev, Associate Professor, Director of Heart Center, Baku Health Center
Dr. Vusal Haciyev, Cardiac Surgeon, Baku Health Center
The heart team has emerged as the gold standard in contemporary cardiovascular medicine, where a diverse, multidisciplinary group of specialists collaborates to tackle complex heart diseases. By integrating the expertise of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, radiologists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, these teams develop tailored treatment plans that yield exceptional patient outcomes. However, while heart teams are commonplace in many developed countries, their implementation remains a challenge in others, particularly in Azerbaijan, where a post-Soviet mentality continues to influence the medical landscape.
Embracing Medical Innovations to Enhance Cardiac Care
At Heart center of Baku Health Center, adopting groundbreaking medical innovations has been a cornerstone of our journey to modernize cardiac care. We have integrated state-of-the-art technologies, including 3-D mapping systems for cardiac arrhythmia ablation and wearable health devices for real-time patient monitoring. These tools enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes while reducing risks and improving efficiency.
Cryoablation systems and pulsed field ablation have revolutionized arrhythmia management, offering safer, faster, and more effective procedures. The introduction of leadless pacemakers and subcutaneous ICDs has further expanded our capabilities, ensuring that patients receive minimally invasive yet highly advanced care.
Our center has also invested in minimally invasive cardiac surgery equipment, allowing us to perform complex procedures with reduced trauma, quicker recovery times, and better cosmetic outcomes for patients. This technology includes advanced thoracoscopic systems.
Breaking down Traditional Hierarchies
In many post-Soviet healthcare systems, medical decisions often adhere to a top-down approach, where senior doctors are the sole decision-makers. This structure can hinder collaboration, necessitating a shift away from rigid hierarchies. At Baku Health Center, we focused on promoting shared decision-making. Through seminars and workshops, we demonstrated the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing difficult cases and how working together can enhance patient outcomes.
We encouraged senior doctors to act as mentors while fostering an environment of shared decision-making among junior colleagues. Everyone's voice was valued, transcending traditional ranks. By embracing openness and dismantling conventional hierarchies, we laid the groundwork for true multidisciplinary practice.
Discover more: https://www.europeanhhm.com/articles/building-heart-team-in-azerbaijan-and-overcome-modern-cardiac-care
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