WVU partners with national heart group to offer free exams

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The WVU Heart and Vascular Institute’s CHOICE 2018 program in partnership with the ASE Education & Research Foundation and more than 20 medical organizations from across the United States, will host a first-of-its-kind, one-day free cardiovascular screening and diagnostic examination event at four WVU Medicine locations in North Central West Virginia on October 20.

“This screening is an opportunity for people to receive the most advanced cardiac examinations using state-of-the-art technology without worrying about financial constraints,” Partho Sengupta, M.D., chief of Cardiology at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute said. “This is the first time a screening with this level of technology and number of professionals from across the country has been done in the United States. Not only is this an opportunity for the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute to serve residents of West Virginia, but it is an opportunity for us to learn more about cardiac health in rural communities.”

Screenings will be available at:

• WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, 1 Medical Center Dr., in Morgantown
• WVU Heart and Vascular Institute – Fairmont, 1325 Locust Ave.
• WVU Heart and Vascular Institute – Bridgeport, 527 Medical Park Dr., Suite 304
• WVU Heart and Vascular Institute – Elkins, 812 Gorman Ave.

This event will demonstrate the capability of the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute’s smart clinic. Each volunteer physician and health care professional will carry out a state-of-the art technology enabled cardiac exam for every patient, which will include world’s first Ultrasound-on-a-Chip technology that converts a smartphone into an ultrasound system. The event will also feature artificial intelligence and cloud-base services including a fingertip EKG reading and other mobile health technologies offered on tablet computers.

Patients who merit a full ultrasound examination will receive a comprehensive exam on a high-end ultrasound system with best image quality and features. Patients who are identified to have heart diseases will be given opportunity to follow-up with WVU Medicine clinics for further consultation and follow-up care.

This program is supported by a grant from the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation’s Every Heartbeat Matters program.

ASE Foundation volunteers from Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, Cardiac Care Consultants of New Mexico, Duke University, Mohawk Valley Health System St. Elizabeth Hospital Campus, Hospital Sisters Health System St. John’s Hospital, Aurora Healthcare, Duke University, University of Utah Hospital, University of Kentucky, Massachusetts General Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Palms West Hospital, University of California Davis Medical Center, Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Hoboken University Medical Center, Valley Health System, Atlanticare Mission Health, University of Kentucky, University of Pittsburgh, Jacobi Medical Center Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and The Ohio State University will make this screening possible.

“Some of the best minds in cardiology across the United States will be involved in this event. For one day, the entire cardiology profession will focus its talents and energies on West Virginia,” Sengupta continued. “People should take this opportunity to learn about their own heart health and determine what risks they might have.”

Data collected from this screening will be used to further research in the field of cardiology and early intervention. IRB approval is on file.

Appointments are limited, and pre-registration is available at wvumedicine.org/info/choice or by calling the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute at 304-598-6767.