It takes a team to save a life.
We hosted a Heart Recovery Reunion to honor our physicians, caregivers, EMS and most importantly, our patient, Curtis, whose life was saved by this incredible team. Last summer, Curtis – a construction worker from Mission Viejo – was closing a job site when he began to experience light headedness and chest pain. Luckily, a good Samaritan happened to be nearby and called 911. Curtis was transported to our Heart and Vascular Center. Our expert team worked around the clock to save him. After multiple cardiac arrests, cardiologist Michael Chan, MD, identified a 100% occlusion of the right coronary artery and implanted the Impella CP heart pump. Curtis was intubated and sedated with the hope that his heart would rest and recover. After four days, Curtis' heart function improved and the Impella was removed. Curtis returned home to his family after a 13-day hospitalization with a new lease on life. He’s diligent about his new healthy diet and works hard in cardiac rehabilitation. Curtis and his family reunited with the team who saved his life – caregivers from Emergency, Heart & Vascular, Intensive Care, Med Tele, Nephrology and Lab, along with Dr. Chan and intensivists Dr. Peter Smethurst and Dr. Desmond Sjauwfoekloy, and our partners at Abiomed – whose innovative technology helps us save lives. #heartmonth ?? #SoStJoes
