NORWALK — Northwell Health’s Norwalk Hospital has received approval from the Connecticut Office of Health Strategy (OHS) to offer elective percutaneous coronary intervention services. This milestone expands access to advanced cardiac care for patients in the greater Norwalk region
Norwalk Hospital currently performs emergency PCI for patients experiencing acute cardiac events. The new approval allows the hospital to provide the elective procedure, enabling patients with known coronary artery disease to receive scheduled, non-emergent interventions closer to home. The procedure is an important option for patients whose blockages can be treated before they become life-threatening, reducing the risk of future cardiac emergencies.
More commonly known as coronary angioplasty, PCI is a critical procedure used to open blocked coronary arteries. With this approval, Norwalk Hospital will be able to offer a full continuum of such services, reducing travel time for patients and EMS partners and ensuring continuity of care within the local community.
“This approval represents a major step forward for our patients and our region,” said Norwalk Hospital President Peter Cordeau. “When someone is experiencing a cardiac emergency, every minute matters. We are proud to already provide emergency PCI, and now, with the addition of elective PCI, our community will have even greater access to the cardiac care they need, closer to home.”
Experienced interventional cardiologists, advanced technology and a multidisciplinary cardiac team will support the expanded PCI program. It builds on the strong clinical outcomes and quality metrics of Nuvance Health’s existing programs, which follow national guidelines emphasizing the importance of timely access to intervention.
“Expanding PCI services to Norwalk Hospital is a significant advancement for cardiac care in our region,” said Dr. Mark Warshofsky, chair of the Nuvance Health Heart and Vascular Institute. “Our goal is to ensure patients with coronary artery disease receive rapid, evidence-based treatment, whether in an emergency or through a planned procedure. This program reflects our continued investment in cardiovascular excellence and our commitment to improving outcomes for the communities we serve.”
The approval also strengthens collaboration with regional EMS providers, who will benefit from updated transport pathways and training to support rapid access to PCI. Local providers will have streamlined coordination to refer patients to Norwalk Hospital’s cardiac team, ensuring patients receive timely evaluation and follow-up care.
“Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States,” Cordeau added. “By expanding access to PCI, we are taking meaningful action to improve cardiac outcomes and strengthen the health of our community.”
The elective PCI program will begin accepting patients following final operational preparations in alignment with all regulatory and safety requirements.
