[April 01, 2014] |
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Washington Hospital Physician Among the First in Bay Area to Implant Lifesaving Device for Patients at Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death
FREMONT, Calif. --(Business Wire)--
Christine Ortiz, 59 of Union City, is one of the first patients in the
Bay Area to receive a new unique cardiac device known as a Subcutaneous
ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator). Her life nearly came to an
end after she suffered what is known as sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), a
condition where the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating.
Without rapid medical attention, a person can die within a few minutes.
The incident occurred while Ms. Ortiz, who is the proud grandmother to
six grandchildren, was watching her grandson's high school wrestling
match. Thanks to a quick assessment by the school's wrestling coach and
a Washington Hospital athletic trainer, Ms. Ortiz was resuscitated by
emergency responders and transferred to Washington Hospital; an Alameda
County designated cardiac receiving facility. Upon arrival, she was
placed under the care of Washington Hospital cardiac electrophysiologist
Dr. Sanjay Bindra, who was involved in early studies when the device was
in development. Not only was the life of Ms. Ortiz saved, but as a
result of this new, revolutionary device, she is already resuming a
normal life and is protected from another, potentially deadly episode of
sudden cardiac arrest.
The recently FDA approved Boston Scientific S-ICD® System is the world's
first and only commercially available subcutaneous implantable
defibrillator (S-ICD) for the treatment of patients at risk for sudden
cardiac arrest (SCA). The S-ICD System is designed to provide the same
protection from SCA as traditional ICDs; however the S-ICD System sits
entirely just below the skin without the need for thin, insulated wires
- known as electrodes or 'leads' - to be placed into the heart. This
leaves the heart and blood vessels untouched, offering physicias and
patients an alternative treatment to traditional ICDs and fewer
potential long-term complications.
"This new device is a major leap forward in the treatment of patients
like Christine," said Dr. Bindra. "Because there are no wires into the
heart with this device, the risk of infection and wear on the wires,
which is an issue with traditional ICDs, is not a factor." For younger
patients, those with cardiac electrical disorders or prior infection
complications, the S-ICD is invaluable.
Traditional ICDs are placed in the chest, beneath the collarbone. Wires
from the device run through a large vein along the collarbone and attach
to the heart. Shock from the ICD travels through those wires, directly
shocking the heart. Since the wires run through a vein, it's easy for
bacteria on the wires to spread throughout the body via the bloodstream.
Without leads directly into the heart, the S-ICD treats SCA like a
paramedic treats a patient with the external cardiac paddles, without
touching the heart or blood vessels thereby reducing the opportunity for
complications from infection. In Ms. Ortiz's case, because of
predisposition to infection, the S-ICD was the only type of implantable
device for which she was a candidate.
Across the country, about 350,000 people die annually from sudden
cardiac arrest or about one person every 90 seconds. According to Dr.
Bindra, Ms. Ortiz not only benefited from Washington Hospital's
designation as a cardiac receiving center, but the Hospital is also
designated as a receiving center for those who suffer from this
condition, which means that Hospital staff have the proper training and
follow specific protocols to most effectively treat patients who suffer
from SCA.
When SCA occurs, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs
and causes death if it's not treated within minutes. Recent estimates
show that approximately 850,000 people in the United States are at risk
of SCA and could benefit from an ICD device, but remain unprotected.
"This new device gives Christine security so that if she suffers from
the same event in the future, she will be protected," said Dr. Bindra.
"I expect her to have a full and productive life and I'm pleased to be
able to offer these devices as an option to my patients."
For more information about Washington Hospital's Cardiovascular
Services, please visit whhs.com/heart.
About Washington Township Health Care District
Washington Township Health Care District is governed by an elected board
of directors. Unlike a municipal or county hospital, Washington
Hospital's operating expenses, research, community programs, and
employee salaries are funded by revenues generated through providing
patient and other health care services. Washington Hospital Healthcare
System includes a 353-bed acute-care hospital; the Taylor McAdam Bell
Neuroscience Institute; The Gamma Knife® Center; Washington Radiation
Oncology Center; Washington Outpatient Surgery Center; Washington
Outpatient Rehabilitation Center; Washington Outpatient Catheterization
Laboratory; Washington Institute for Joint Restoration and Research; the
Institute for Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery; and Washington
West, a complex which houses Washington Women's Center, Outpatient
Imaging Center, Sandy Amos R.N. Infusion Center, Washington Urgent Care
and additional outpatient hospital services and administrative
facilities.
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