Clinical Excellence: Cardiovascular Institute

As leaders in southwest Virginia for comprehensive heart and vascular care, our nationally recognized experts at the Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) improve the lives of our patients in significant ways.  

CVI consistently ranks among the top 100 cardiovascular programs nationwide bringing more patients to our program each year. As the region’s cardiovascular inpatient market leader, our award-winning team combines continuous research and the latest technological advances with patient-centered care to ensure better surgical outcomes, fewer complications and faster recovery times. 

Learn about what makes CVI stand out in the information below or in this fact sheet.  

Achievements 
We’re the first in the region to perform:  

• Cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in 1978  
• Open heart and heart valve surgery in 1982  
• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures  
• Complex heart ablation procedures  
• Robotic thoracic surgery  
• Watchman device implants  
• Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implants 

Our Aortic Center is the first and only in the region to perform:

• Complex abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) procedures 
• Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) procedures
• Fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR) procedures 

Clinicians 

• 6 Cardiothoracic surgeons 
• 8 Vascular/Aortic surgeons 
• 33 Cardiologists 
• 20 General and Non-invasive Cardiology 
• 7 Interventional 
• 4 Electrophysiology  
• 2 Advanced Heart Failure 
• 178 Ambulatory employees 
• 541 Hospital employees 

Our Locations  
All surgeries are performed at CRMH, except for the CNRV area where surgery is at CNRV, if available. Electrocardiogram (ECG) is available at all cardiology practice locations. 

• Roanoke 
  • Aortic Surgery 
  • Cardiothoracic (CT) Surgery 
  • Vascular Surgery 
  • General Cardiology 
  • Structural Heart 
  • Electrophysiology (EP) 
  • Advanced Heart Failure 
  • Interventional Cardiology 
• Salem 
  • General Cardiology 
• Rocky Mount/Franklin 
  • General Cardiology 
• Martinsville 
  • Aortic Surgery (1 day/month)* 
  • CT Surgery (1 day/month)* 
  • EP (device clinic/FU only)* 
  • General Cardiology (5 days/week)* 
  • Structural Heart (1 day/month)* 
• Hardy/Westlake 
  • General Cardiology 
• Lexington 
  • Aortic Surgery (1 day/month)* 
  • CT Surgery (1 day/month)* 
  • Vascular Surgery 
  • General Cardiology (5 days/week with hospital coverage)* 
  • EP (device clinic/FU only)* 
• Christiansburg 
  • Vascular Surgery 
  • General Cardiology 
  • Interventional Cardiology 
• Blacksburg 
  • General Cardiology 
• Wytheville 
  • General Cardiology 
• Galax 
  • General Cardiology 
• Hillsville 
  • General Cardiology 
• Pearisburg/Giles 
  • General Cardiology 

*Denotes satellite clinic  

CVI Subspecialties, Services and Programs: 

• General and Non-invasive Cardiology 
• Cardiothoracic Surgery 
• Vascular Surgery/Aortic Center 
• Cardiac Catheterization and Interventions 
• Structural Heart 
• Advanced Heart Failure 
• Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology 
• Heart Device Management 
• Pediatric Cardiology 

What Differentiates Us 

Longest-running Open Heart Surgery Program in the Region 
We have been dedicated to cardiac care for more than 60 years and have had a successful open heart surgery program for over 40 years, making us the largest, most experienced team in the region. With three dedicated operating rooms and the only hybrid operating room in the region, we provide the least invasive methods to achieve the best possible outcomes for every patient. 

Largest Vascular Surgery Team in the Region 
We are one of the largest vascular hospitals in the state. Our Vascular Diagnostic Laboratory, one of a select number of laboratories in the United States accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories, provides quality ultrasound testing for vascular disease.  With multiple satellite labs we can accommodate patients from all over the region. Our goal is that, in just one visit, patients can undergo a diagnostic test, and discuss the results with a provider.  

Comprehensive One-stop Specialty Clinic for Aortic Care 
Our goal is to provide a customized, patient-centered approach to care and support for our referring providers. Our team’s unique training allows us to customize treatment options and offer minimally invasive and hybrid procedures, which optimize patient outcomes, decrease the need for hospitalization and accelerate their return to normal activity.  

Robust and Strategic Cardiology Group 
By pursuing excellence in medical and clinical care, research and education, our Cardiology team is inspired to discover and deliver the innovative methods needed in the moment and for the region’s future. Our diagnostic methods go unmatched, laying the groundwork for the best course of individualized and customized care for each patient. 

2023 Accolades  

• Chest Pain Center accreditation from the American College of Cardiology, February 2023 (program continuously accredited since 2005)  
• Cardiac Cath Lab with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) accreditation from the American College of Cardiology, March 2023 
• National Cardiovascular Data Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for consistently high performance in meeting required care metrics 
• Intersocietal Accreditation Commission Bronze Recognition Award for 20 consecutive years of accreditation 
• The Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative (SVS/VQI) Conference: Suzanne Beels, MSN and Michelle Martin – Poster Presentation, June 2023​ 
• SVS/VQI 3-Star Participation Award 
• Maintained VAD accreditation from Det Norske Veritas (DNV)    
• American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology (AMSECT) Pillar Award for Perfusion Program (2021)  
• Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Silver Award Membrane Oxygenator (ECMO) Pathway to Excellence Award  

Additional Information 
If you have questions about CVI, contact Kristin Goddard, Communications, Marketing and Planning, at ksgoddard@carilionclinic.org.