Cardiovascular diseases, mainly in the heart, aorta and lung are our objects. We are developing new diagnoses and treatments in the unsolved fields as well as conducting the latest diagnoses and treatments in these diseases. Heart diseases include ischemic heart disease (acute myocardial infarction and angina pectoris), arrhythmia, valvular heart disease, primary myological diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure from various etiology. Aortic diseases include dissecting aneurysm of the aorta, obliterating arteriosclerosis, etc. Pulmonary circulatory diseases include pulmonary thromboembolism and pulmonary hypertension, etc. Considering the characteristics of cardiovascular diseases, we have established the system for corporation among emergency medicine, chronic treatment and surgery. In the case of surgical treatment, all the physicians and surgeons actively debate the case and choose the best treatment in the joint conference. This is extremely useful for not only the achievement of the treatment but also the education of residents.

The Division of Cardiology is equipped with 170 beds including 16 in CCU and 10 in emergency ward and manned with 30 staff cardiologists and 28 residents.

Diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases involves various tests: non-invasive and invasive tests. the former includes phonocardiogram, standard ECG (Electrocardiogram), vector ECG, body surface ECG, Holter ECG, treadmill exercise test, myocardial scintigram, cardiac ultrasonic test, pulmonary function test, cardiopulmonary exercise test, peripheral blood flow, thermography, PVR (Peripheral Vascular Research). The latter includes angiography and functional measure of heart and great vessels by cardiac catheterization, IVUS (Intravascular Ultrasonography), electrophysiologic study, DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography).

We are introducing new treatments for various diseases: not only new phamacotherapy, but also catheter intervention(PTCA(Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angiopiasty), stent implantation, PTA (Percutaneous Transluminal Angiopiasty) for ischemic heart disease and obstructive arterial thrombosis in the lower extremities; PCPS (Percutaneous Cardio Pulmonary Support) for cardiogenic shock; PTMC (Percutaneous Transluminal Mitral Commissurotomy) for mitral stenosis; catether ablation for tachyarrhythmia; implantation of AICD (Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillatar) for dangerous tachyarrhythmia; the use of LVAS (Lefe Ventricular Assist System) and hormone treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy; continuous infusion of PGI2 (Prostacycline) for chronic pulmonary thromboembolism. In 1996, all the numbers of cardiac catheterizations reach about 2800.