Local patients get care in treating abnormal heart rhythms
(HENDERSON, NV, October 31, 2008) – A patient at St. Rose Dominican Hospitals – San Martín Campus became the first person in Nevada to receive the latest generation of wireless implantable cardiac device technology to correct his irregular heart beat. Physicians at St. Rose are among the first in Nevada implanting Medtronic Vision 3D defibrillators which offer remote monitoring and have the ability to automatically adjust the device’s stimulation to the body’s physiologic needs. Cardiac implants are used to address the needs of patients with arrhythmias (too fast or too slow heartbeats), heart failure and those at risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), which is when the heart stops beating altogether.
“Approximately 2 million Americans now have either pacemakers or defibrillators,” said Rod Davis, president, St. Rose Dominican Hospitals. “This remotely-monitored device represents the latest in this type of technology – offering physicians the ability to collect information about the patient’s heart and device status so that adjustments can be made without additional surgery. Bringing this new device to Nevada is a testament to our ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality care and latest technology to the residents of Southern Nevada.”
“The first patient in Nevada to receive the remotely-monitored biventricular defibrillator was Billy Joe Hill who had a nonischemic cardiomyopathy,” said Dr. Erik Sirulnick, who performed the procedure at St. Rose. “He actually had an extensive evaluation in Bangkok, Thailand, then I had the opportunity to review the records he brought over to the U.S. He was very symptomatic from his cardiac disease despite being on all of the best medications. Mr. Hill was the perfect candidate for resynchronization therapy and met the criteria for a biventricular defibrillator. We thought a Medtronic device would be most suitable for him, especially because of their sophisticated pacing algorithms – it could be programmed specifically for Mr. Hill's individual cardiovascular needs. I have had the opportunity to see Mr. Hill after his successful implantation procedure, and he is feeling better already.”
“I am thrilled with this new device both because I already feel much better in general and because I know my doctor can monitor my condition and adjust the device based on my needs on any given day,” says Billy Joe. “Before having the procedure, I could feel my heart beating quickly and erratically, I sometimes felt light headed when standing or stretching and I had shortness of breath – all of these symptoms stopped immediately after the procedure and I can even feel myself breathing much deeper. It is amazing that something inside my body can now send data directly to my doctor’s computer to assist in his evaluation of my status.”
