When every minute matters, AdventHealth expands access to advanced heart attack care for families in Kissimmee

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — When a heart attack strikes, every minute matters. AdventHealth Kissimmee has earned Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) accreditation, allowing families in Kissimmee to receive advanced emergency heart attack care on site and helping ensure patients receive timely, lifesaving treatment close to home.

PCI accreditation recognizes AdventHealth Kissimmee as a hospital equipped to treat certain types of severe heart attacks using minimally invasive procedures that restore blood flow to the heart. With this capability, patients who arrive at the hospital with time-sensitive cardiac emergencies can receive advanced care without delay.

“This milestone strengthens the care we can provide right here for our community,” said Craig Moore, chief executive officer of AdventHealth Kissimmee. “We know dealing with a medical emergency can be a very stressful time for patients and their families. That’s why providing advanced treatment close to home – where people’s support systems are in place – is so important.”

“This didn’t happen overnight,” Moore added. “Our teams have invested hundreds of hours in training, preparation and coordination to ensure our community can receive this level of care right here in Kissimmee. It’s about being ready when our neighbors need us most.”

PCI is the preferred treatment for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a severe type of heart attack caused by a sudden blockage in a coronary artery. Faster access to this procedure has been shown to limit damage to the heart muscle and support recovery.

To earn PCI accreditation, AdventHealth Kissimmee met rigorous national standards designed to ensure rapid, reliable heart attack care. These include around-the-clock availability of a specialized cardiac catheterization team, highly coordinated emergency response protocols, close collaboration with emergency medical services and continuous quality monitoring to support safe, timely treatment.

“Behind this accreditation is an extraordinary amount of preparation,” said Dr. Bharath Rathakrishnan, interventional cardiologist at AdventHealth Kissimmee. “Each member of our cardiac team has completed extensive, specialized training, simulations and coordinated response planning. That level of readiness allows us to act quickly and work seamlessly, so patients can get the care they need without delay.”

“Treating a heart attack is about more than restoring blood flow. It’s about responding quickly, supporting recovery and giving patients the best chance to return to what matters most in their lives,” Dr. Rathakrishnan added. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our cardiovascular team and our shared commitment to whole-person care.

AdventHealth Kissimmee’s PCI services are integrated into regional emergency response systems, helping ensure patients with suspected heart attacks are quickly identified and directed to appropriate care.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. AdventHealth encourages community members to know the signs and seek emergency care if they experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea or discomfort in the arm, back, neck or jaw.

To learn more about heart and vascular care at AdventHealth Kissimmee, or to schedule an appointment, click here.