Mega Doctor News
The human heart beats approximately 100,000 times each day, relying on a complex electrical system to maintain a steady rhythm.
When that system malfunctions, it can trigger dangerous arrhythmias that may lead to sudden cardiac arrest, a life-threatening emergency in which the heart abruptly stops pumping blood effectively.
For patients at risk of these potentially fatal events, defibrillation can be a critical lifesaving intervention.
While external defibrillators are commonly used during cardiac emergencies, some patients may benefit from an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), a small battery-powered device placed beneath the skin in the upper chest. The device continuously monitors the heart’s rhythm and can deliver an electrical shock when needed to restore a normal heartbeat.
“Certain heart rhythm abnormalities can develop without warning and quickly become life-threatening,” said Federico Azpurua, MD, FACC, a board-certified interventional cardiologist with South Texas Health System (STHS) Clinics. “Identifying patients who may benefit from an implantable defibrillator allows us to reduce their risk of sudden cardiac death and help them feel more confident about their heart health.”
STHS‘ commitment to delivering advanced, high-quality cardiac care throughout the Rio Grande Valley has earned national recognition.
STHS Heart, STHS Edinburg and STHS McAllen have each received a 2027 Five-Star Rating for Defibrillator Procedures from Healthgrades, a leading online resource for information about physicians and hospitals. The distinction recognizes hospitals that achieve superior clinical outcomes for specific procedures and conditions.
“Receiving this recognition speaks to the dedication and expertise of our entire cardiac care team,” said Brenda Ivory, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Heart. “From our physicians and nurses to the many professionals who support patient care, this achievement reflects our shared commitment to delivering the highest quality care to the communities we serve.”
The Five-Star Rating for Defibrillator Procedures adds to a growing list of national honors for South Texas Health System.
In addition to the five-star designation, STHS Heart earned Healthgrades’ 2027 Specialty Excellence Awards for Cardiac Care, Coronary Intervention and Cardiology Services, making it the only facility in the Rio Grande Valley to receive all three distinctions in 2027 and one of only nine hospitals in Texas to achieve that honor.
Additionally, STHS Heart, STHS Edinburg and STHS McAllen each received a 2027 Five-Star Rating for Treatment of Heart Attack, further highlighting the system’s performance in caring for patients with serious cardiovascular conditions.
As part of its annual analysis, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide across more than 30 common conditions and procedures to identify top-performing facilities.
According to Healthgrades, if all hospitals had performed at the level of Five-Star recipients during the 2023-2025 study period, an estimated 227,229 lives could have been saved and 158,138 complications could have been avoided.*
“Finding a hospital that excels in a given procedure or treatment can transform a patient’s health trajectory,” said Alana Biggers, MD, MPH, medical advisor, Healthgrades. “We’re proud to recognize STHS for its top-tier performance in defibrillator procedures and commend its team for delivering exceptional patient outcomes when it matters most.”
To learn more about the award-winning cardiovascular services available at STHS Heart and its sister facilities, visit southtexashealthsystem.com.
To learn more about how Healthgrades determines the top hospitals for specialty care, view the complete 2027 Specialty Excellence Awards and Ratings Methodology.
*Statistical averages based on Healthgrades’ analysis of MedPAR data for years 2023 through 2025 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only.
