In the past year, we added many procedures and modalities to our service line. The team rose to the challenge and showed exemplary leadership and commitment. They spent countless hours training for all the new services, such as trans carotid artery revascularization, endovascular aortic repairs, percutaneous coronary interventions, gastrointestinal bleeding interventions, critical limb ischemia, and emergent ST elevation myocardial interventions. The team trained at Morristown and Overlook for weeks to prepare for STEMI or emergent PCI, which is not an easy commute.

In addition, the team trained with the Medtronic academy to prepare for this life-saving procedure. The Impella heart pump device was one of the technologies that the team embraced. This device assists in pumping the heart when a patient is in cardiogenic shock. The team helped develop policies and protocols to provide the best patient care and outcomes for the patients. Amy Quinlan and her team worked to institute on-call protocols for the physicians and the CVIS team, which was a major change in their schedules. Athena Farella worked alongside the team to implement quality initiatives and best practices. In November 2022, CentraState Medical Center (CSMC) received approval to begin performing emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the Cardiac Cath Lab. PCI is a lifesaving treatment for patients experiencing myocardial infarction (MI). Historically, patients experiencing MIs were transferred from the CSMC’s Emergency Department (ED) to other hospitals for treatment.

We have many stories of saving lives and hearts in this past year, but two stories were milestones showing the advances in cardiovascular care we now provide to our community:

A patient experiencing an ST elevation MI (STEMI) came to CSMC’s Emergency Department via ambulance from a primary care office. The team was activated from the field and stood by the ER ambulance bay waiting for the patient to arrive. The team quickly brought the patient to the lab, bypassing the emergency department, and worked vigilantly to save his life. This was the first time the team needed to use the lifesaving Impella device on a very critically ill patient. The teamwork was extraordinary and achieved a door-to-balloon time of 24 minutes. The Cath Lab team and cardiologist recognized the signs of cardiogenic shock quickly, which led to his survival. The Cath lab team’s rapid response and treatment to this patient’s condition led to the patient having positive outcomes. The patient recovered and attended our cardiac rehabilitation program. To celebrate his survival, Amy Quinlan and the team hosted a Heart Recovery Reunion celebration. The team and Amy Quinlan wanted to celebrate all of the staff who contributed to his clinical care and his outstanding outcomes. Typically, when patients complete Cardiac Rehab, there is a small celebration for the patient. As this patient had such a remarkable door-to-balloon time and was the first patient to have an Impella device, Amy and the team wanted to take the time also to recognize the CSMC team members who cared for the patient.

Amy invited all members of the teams that cared for the patient, including the ED nursing team and physicians, the Cardiac Cath team, the cardiologist, and the Cardiac Rehab team. The event was a huge success. Key speakers included President Tom Scott, Senator Gopal, and Dr. Matera. The most amazing part of the experience was to see the patient with his family celebrating his remarkable recovery. His young grandson at his side stated, “My grandpa is very special.” This celebration is the ‘Why” behind all that we do in the Cardiovascular Interventional Suite.

A 40-year post-partum female with a 20-month-old baby visiting from London presented to the emergency department with chest pain. Post-arrival, she went into cardiac arrest. It was quickly recognized by the cardiologist and emergency room physician that she needed to go to the cath lab. The team and Dr. Patel rapidly took the patient to the lab to save her life. The patient received life-saving care and was discharged 72 hours later. One week later, she saw Dr. Patel in his office and was so thankful for the team. Days later, she was well enough to fly back to her home in London.