Thoracic CT (computed tomography) is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen. The complete scan takes 30 seconds to a few minutes. Certain CT scans require a special dye, called contrast, to be delivered into the body before the test starts. Contrast highlights specific areas inside the body and creates a clearer image. If your doctor requests a CT scan with intravenous contrast, you will be given it through a vein (IV) in your arm or hand. A blood test to measure your kidney function may be done before the test. This test is to make sure your kidneys are healthy enough to filter the contrast.

A systematic approach to acid/base problems.

This fascinating lecture about the kidney injury provided by Dr. Eduardo Lopez is . Dr. Lopez teaches us about the signs and symptoms to differentiate the Chronic vs. Acute Kidney Injury. Creatinine, Potassium, Hemoglobin are one of those markers.  With hyperkalemia is the most dangerous to cardiac function, aggressive treatments are advised. Dialysis and discontinuation of medications that can cause elevation of potassium are most agreeable approaches.

Dr. Ben-Zur has spearheaded the establishment of The Cardiovascular Institute because he is committed to enhancing the quality of healthcare for all of the residents in the Greater Los Angeles areas, including Calabasas and West Hills. The new cutting edge facility is equipped to provide patients with the most optimal care possible. He is available to see his patients six days a week, with minimal to no waiting time and same day appointments.

Furthermore, he is dedicated to the advancement of medical education and clinical research. This vision is fortified by his acceptance of medical students from various organizations including Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, and UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and the University of Southern California. The Institute fosters an ideal environment for students to study the unique population of the Greater Los Angeles area, as well as, Burbank, Sherman Oaks, West Hills, and Calabasas. We encourage you to explore our website for more information about our practice!

This audio lecture is an excellent source of information about residency. Dr. Ben-Zur highlights the important aspects that every residency will be looking for in its candidates. This is a must-listen to audio for all medical students in preparation for the interview season. In the long process of becoming a doctor the journey begins as a medical student, studying for four hard years before matching into a residency. Residency can be anywhere from 3 to 6 years depending on what specialty is chosen. The match process is a stressful time for students as they are trying to navigate what residency program will fit with their learning style and personality.

The Cardiovascular Institute, founded by Uri M. Ben-Zur, M.D., F.A.C.C, is located in the heart of San Fernando Valley near Calabasas andWest Hills. Our new state of the art facility is dedicated to giving nearby residents complete and thorough cardiovascular care. Dr. Ben-Zur is one of the premier pacemaker and electrophysiology specialists in the greater Los Angeles area.  Our practice staffs multipleultrasoundspecialists and offers in office stress testing daily. Open six days a week with same day appointments makes it easy for our patients to quickly get the care they need in a timely fashion.

Furthermore, he is dedicated to the advancement of medical education and clinical research. This vision is fortified by his acceptance of medical students from various organizations including Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, and UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and the University of Southern California. The Institute fosters an ideal environment for students to study the unique population of the Greater Los Angeles area, as well as, Burbank, Sherman Oaks, West Hills, and Calabasas. We encourage you to explore our website for more information about our practice!

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) are a group of medications most commonly used to treat Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).  They work by minimizing acid production in the stomach.

So, why are they commonly prescribed by cardiologists?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               To reduce the risk of heart attack patients are advised to take a baby aspirin once a day. This dose inhibits platelets production. Platelets are an important component to forming the plug that blocks a blood vessel and the plug is what causes the heart attack. One of the unfortunate side effects of aspirin is that is reduces the production of these molecules called prostaglandins, which help reduce acid production in the stomach. So, if you take away the body’s “brakes” on stomach acid production (prostaglandins) you end up getting more acid in the stomach than your stomach needs and this predisposes to peptic ulcers, which is simply an erosion in the stomach lining. Thus, PPIs are important to reduce excess acid production in the stomach and thus act to protect the stomach from peptic ulcers and possibly even a bleed.

The Cardiovascular Institute, founded by Uri M. Ben-Zur, M.D., F.A.C.C, is located in the heart of San Fernando Valley near Calabasas andWest Hills. Our new state of the art facility is dedicated to giving nearby residents complete and thorough cardiovascular care. Dr. Ben-Zur is one of the premier pacemaker and electrophysiology specialists in the greater Los Angeles area.  Our practice staffs multiple ultrasound specialists and offers in office stress testing daily. Open six days a week with same day appointments makes it easy for our patients to quickly get the care they need in a timely fashion.

Dr. Ben-Zur’s medical foundations were developed under the guidance of experts in electrophysiology and angioplasty. During this time he also developed a passion for interventional cardiology. He completed multiple fellowships at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City and Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in La Jolla, California. After moving to Los Angeles, Dr. Ben-Zur established an affiliation with the Providence Tarzana Medical Center to facilitate procedures including stent placements, pacemaker implantations, radiofrequency ablations and more. To learn more about these procedures and about our practice we encourage you explore our website!

Calcium Channel Blockers medications are to used to treat Angina, Arrhythmia, Hypertension. By blocking the L-Type Calcium Channels on vascular smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, cardiac nodal tissue, the medications will decrease the work-load on the heart. This effect will allow the heart to relax and work more effectively. Dihydropyridine can be used as antiarrhythmic. Dihydropyridines act mostly on cardiac tissues, whereas 3 generations of Dihydropyridines are classified based on the ability to affect on the cardiac muscle. The side effects of the L-Type Calcium Channels are ranging from peripheral edema to dizziness, Headache. Contraindications to Calcium Channel Blockers are worth noting such as hypotention, heart block, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, etc.

Dr. Ben-Zur has spearheaded the establishment of The Cardiovascular Institute because he is committed to enhancing the quality of healthcare for all of the residents in the Greater Los Angeles areas, including Calabasas and West Hills. The new cutting edge facility is equipped to provide patients with the most optimal care possible. He is available to see his patients six days a week, with minimal to no waiting time and same day appointments.

Furthermore, he is dedicated to the advancement of medical education and clinical research. This vision is fortified by his acceptance of medical students from various organizations including Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, and UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and the University of Southern California. The Institute fosters an ideal environment for students to study the unique population of the Greater Los Angeles area, as well as, Burbank, Sherman Oaks, West Hills, and Calabasas. We encourage you to explore our website for more information about our practice!