At WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, our critically ill and injured patients receive expert care from our dedicated team of critical care intensivists.

Our 28-bed Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU), located on the third floor, is staffed by specialists with advanced expertise in cardiac critical care, ensuring the highest level of care for patients with complex medical needs.

Our multidisciplinary approach focuses on treating the whole patient, with team members bringing additional expertise in internal medicine, nephrology, neurocritical care, transplant medicine, trauma, general surgery, and thoracic care.

Through collaboration and innovation, we are committed to delivering comprehensive, patient-centered critical care.

The Cardiovascular Intensive Care team has achieved several milestones in recent years, including assisting the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute (HVI) team with West Virginia’s inaugural implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) for a patient with severe heart failure.

The HVI team has also achieved several notable accomplishments in its ECMO program, including receiving the prestigious ELSO Gold Level Center of Excellence Award from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization, which recognizes exceptional commitment to evidence-based processes, quality measures, staff training, patient satisfaction, and ongoing clinical care. In addition, the ECMO team has provided guidance to more than 20 institutions across the United States and Canada, sharing expertise through webinars and publications, and contributing to national recommendations for ECMO management during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In April 2020, J.W. Awori Hayanga, MD, MPH, ECMO program director, was appointed a special advisor by then-U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Eric D. Hargan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What We Do

Our Cardiovascular Intensive Care team provides care to critically ill patients with conditions related to the heart and vascular system.

Our program highlights a team-based approach to care. Intensivists lead a team of experienced professionals, which includes resident and fellow physicians (doctors in training), physician assistants, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and nurses. Our team of nurses have received advanced training, and many have received additional degrees and certifications.

Intensivists also work closely with doctors from many specialties, including anesthesiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, and palliative medicine. Together, the team provides high-quality and safe critical care in operating rooms, intensive care units, and other hospital settings.

Because the experience of being critically ill affects entire families, we work closely with social workers and spiritual care and patient advocacy team members to address the needs of everyone affected by the critical illness of a loved one.

What to Expect

The Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit is patient centered. Patients (to the extent they are able) and families participate in all discussions and decisions about care. Because of the variety of heart and vascular conditions and illnesses in the unit, length of stay can vary from hours to months. Communication is a top priority on the unit, with nursing staff providing regular updates on patients’ conditions to family members.

Visitation policy hours and guidelines can be found here.