When your patients need specialized cardiovascular care, Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute is here, with nationally recognized, advanced care across North Carolina and South Carolina. It’s destination medical care that draws patients from a wide region.
What does regional expansion look like for Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute?
In the Charlotte Region, the cardiothoracic team is expanding minimally invasive, non-sternotomy cardiac surgery to include mitral, aortic and tricuspid valve procedures. Our interventional cardiology team is a regional leader in performing TriClip and Watchman device implants without general anesthesia. The vascular surgery team offers the full spectrum of complex endovascular and open aortic, carotid and limb salvage procedures, supported by a dedicated wound clinic and growing regional presence with additional clinical staff.
In the Triad Region, clinical advancements include the launch of an LVAD program, expansion of pulmonary hypertension management, and partnerships with non-Novant Health hospitals to develop regional cardiology programs. Research initiatives span novel device therapies and clinical trials, including diaphragmatic pacing and hypoglossal nerve pacing for sleep apnea, strategies to enhance aortic aneurysm sac regression post-EVAR, IL-6 inhibition to limit myocardial infarction size, and coronary sinus stenting to improve angina through enhanced myocardial perfusion.
In the Coastal Region, recent milestones include the 400th Watchman LAAO implant in May 2025, the first Triclip implant in June 2025, and completion of 14 Barostim procedures since fall 2024. Regional experts continue to advance specialty care with an atrial fibrillation clinic and a pulmonary hypertension clinic pursuing certification.
In the South Carolina Region, patients benefit from expert and personalized heart and vascular care, featuring advanced diagnostic imaging, preventive cardiology, and emergency services. Our team of specialists brings expertise in interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, vascular and cardiothoracic surgery – including a full open-heart program that treats both common and complex conditions. With leading-edge technology and well-coordinated teams throughout Hilton Head and Mount Pleasant, we make it easier for patients to access expert cardiovascular care close to home.
Across regions, Novant Health is committed to making sure the patients who do travel have limited out-of-town appointments and a variety of benefits:
● Real-time access to test results and physician input
● Local diagnostic workups shared by experts
● Local surgical preparation and initial postoperative care
● Remote monitoring technologies
Real-time access to test results and physician input via the MyChart patient app.
Patients aren’t caught in long delays for test results or physician interpretation of those results. Patients can see test results and physician notes as they are available, so they can understand their health updates more quickly and clearly. “Near real-time updates mean patients can move forward with next steps in care without unnecessary delays or extra anxiety. We continuously work as a team to enhance the efficiency of our electronic health record to facilitate ease-of-use by providers, and also to make the results seen by patients easier to access and to understand.” Said Meena Rao, MD, chair of the team working to improve both the physician and patient-side of the EHR and a cardiologist with Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute in Wilmington.
Local diagnostic workups are reviewed and shared with the right specialists prior to consultation.
Diagnostics and imaging performed at a Novant Health facility are available in the system’s electronic health records, including both image review and access to the written report. For imaging from non-Novant Heath facilities, images are requested in advance to allow physicians to review results prior to consultation. In multidisciplinary case reviews, images are displayed for collaborative discussion among specialists.
“When we can review imaging together in real time, it’s not just about examining the visuals,” said Thomas Kambur, MD at Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute in Charlotte. “We can combine our expertise to make sure each patient is matched with the right subspecialist for the best possible outcome.”
Surgical preparation and initial postoperative care can take place locally, so patients have the option to drive to their scheduled surgery location on the day of surgery.
Referred patients may be able to complete all preoperative testing, including labs, locally, with results transmitted in advance via electronic health records.
“It’s fairly easy for our team to coordinate and document postoperative care — including home health visits and wound assessments within the electronic health records for review by the specialist team, and referring physician,” said Mark Mitchell, MD, Novant Health Cardiology in the triad.
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Additional virtual follow-up appointments from home are an option, depending on care needs. Ongoing monitoring can be shared between local physicians and regional specialists, ensuring seamless communication and continuity of care across locations.
Remote monitoring technologies ensure data continuity and peace of mind.
Novant Health’s Remote Patient Monitoring program for heart failure and other cardiac patients, available through select providers and clinics, enables continuous oversight of patient status, whether for routine monitoring or as part of a home-based cardiac rehabilitation plan. Wearable and connected devices provide real-time data on patient progress, treatment adherence and early signs of decompensation, supporting timely intervention without requiring in-person visits. Care teams review patient data daily and initiate direct contact via the patient’s tablet when concerning trends or reported symptoms are identified, ensuring rapid, coordinated management. Novant Health also offers digital telehealth wellness appointments
“Novant Health’s regional expansion ensures that referring physicians can connect patients to advanced cardiac and vascular expertise closer to home,” said Howard L. Haronian, MD, physician in chief of Novant Heart & Vascular Institute. “We want to ensure we help minimize long-distance travel while maintaining access to nationally recognized care.”
Through coordinated diagnostics, streamlined surgical preparation and innovative remote monitoring, patients benefit from timely interventions, seamless communication, and continuity of care across the system.
Our referral process is designed to save you time and improve patient care by reducing the obstacles you face every day – such as patients waiting weeks to be scheduled, repeated phone calls and unclear next steps.
- Save time. One centralized eFax handles referrals to all our North Carolina specialists.
- Accelerate care. Patients can get from referral to treatment with appointments available in as little as 48 hours.
- Higher patient satisfaction. Our optimized schedules and workflows create more appointment options for a smoother patient experience.
- Reduce administrative burden. Our process frees your team to focus on care, not coordination.
- 24/7 behavioral health. Patients can call 800-718-3550 anytime, with referral outreach within 48 hours.
