Crittenton’s Cardiovascular Program Ranks in Top 10% Nationwide

The cardiovascular program provides a path to excellent heart health.  When patients arrive through the emergency room doors or through the Shelton Heart Center, they will be entering a cardiovascular program that specializes in Interventional Cardiology, Cardiac Arrhythmia, Cardiovascular Surgery and Cardiac Rehabilitation.  The Crittenton cardiovascular team is ready for every situation for heart health, from lowering the risk of heart disease to treating strokes or a heart attack. 

Crittenton has been designated as both an accredited stroke center and chest pain center. After undergoing an on-site evaluation and demonstrating compliance with nationally developed standards for stroke care, Crittenton has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for certification as a Primary Stroke Center.  “In stroke care, time is brain,” says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission. “By achieving certification as a Primary Stroke Center, Crittenton Hospital Medical Center has proven that it has the ability to provide effective, timely care to stroke victims and can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients.” Each year about 795,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation’s third leading cause of death. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today.

Recently, a 44 year old mother of two and casual marathon runner, Witnessed by a fellow citizen, EMS was alerted and responded to her complaint of back pain and shortness of breath, prior to her becoming unconscious.  ACLS (Advance Cardiac Life Support) protocols were initiated and continued upon arrival to the Emergency Department at Crittenton. 

Dr. Loniewski, Emergency Physician, quickly assessed Remick, intubated her and placed her on a breathing machine.  Crittenton’s Cath Lab team was alerted and Dr. Samer Kazziha, Cardiovascular Interventionalist, ordered a STAT echocardiogram which confirmed a large pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart). Life saving medication was given to sustain vital signs.

“It’s never a single person that makes a difference, it’s always the team.  At Crittenton, we incorporate teamwork in all levels of patient care to achieve the best outcomes for our patient,” said Samer Kazziha, M.D., F.A.C.C., Executive Medical Director Cardiovascular Services, Crittenton Hospital Medical Center.     

Kelly was transported emergently to the cardiac cath lab for pericardiocentesis (removal of fluid from around the heart).  The fluid returned bloody which indicated a more serious condition. Dr. Kazziha performed an aortogram which confirmed an aortic dissection requiring emergency surgery.  This life saving surgery was completed within one hour of arrival at Crittenton Hospital Medical Center.

Kelly had emergent aortic dissection repair by Dr’s Bernabei and Fazzalari, both Cardiovascular Surgeons.  Dr. Alvise Bernabei said “an aortic dissection with acute pericardial tamponade is typically a terminal event.  I believe Kelly Remick recovered due to a strong will and the coordinated medical and surgical efforts of Crittenton.”

The path to excellent health brings our heart patients into the care of some of the nation’s top cardiologists and along the continuum to the personal care of our cardiac rehabilitation team.  The cardiovascular team at the Shelton Heart Center consists of registered nurses, dietitians and exercise physiologists.  Crittenton Hospital Medical Center offers numerous classes on various topics including cardiovascular disease, stroke prevention, managing a heart attack, women and heart disease and more.  For a list of all the classes Crittenton provides, please visit crittenton.com/classes or careforyourheart.com for the “Straight Talk from the Doc” series, hosted by Samer Kazziha, M.D., F.A.C.C., Executive Medical Director Cardiovascular Program, Crittenton Hospital Medical Center.

To choose your Crittenton Cardiologist, call (888) 904-4325 or go to crittenton.com.