St. Paul Heart Clinic dissolving

The largest remaining independent cardiology practice in the Twin Cities is dissolving.

The St. Paul Heart Clinic says its nearly three dozen cardiologists will take staff jobs at either Allina Hospitals and Clinics or the HealthEast Care System.

St. Paul Heart Clinic President, Dr. Thomas Johnson, says it has been challenging in recent years to maintain a viable independent cardiology practice, as government reimbursements have shrunk.

"Well over 70 percent of medium or large cardiovascular groups are integrating or have already integrated around the country. So there's a wave of this going on," said Johnson.

St. Paul Heart Clinic medical records will be now be integrated into the Allina or HealthEast system. Johnson says the arrangement will help doctors do a better job of managing patients as they leave the hospital and continue their followup care.

The employment transition takes place Jan. 1, 2011.