Journey from Heart Disease to Cancer: A Life Saved

By Tracy H. Stanton

Two days after Christmas in 2017, Mike Smalley of Hartsville, South Carolina suddenly felt ill at work. Brushing off his symptoms as a stomach virus or dehydration, Mike continued working but then began sweating and felt pain creeping up his arm. Keenly aware of heart disease because of his family history, Mike quickly realized he may be experiencing a heart attack and asked a co-worker to call 911.

In addition to his family history, 54-year-old Mike smoked for 40 years. In fact, that morning, he purchased a new lighter and a pack of cigarettes. When Mike arrived at McLeod Regional Medical Center, he told the paramedics, “Throw these away for me,” as they transported him inside the Emergency Department (ED).

In the ED, McLeod Cardiologist Dr. Thomas Stoughton confirmed Mike was suffering a heart attack based on the EKG results. They quickly moved him to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab where McLeod Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Fred Krainin performed a heart catheterization. Dr. Krainin located a 100 percent blockage on the left side of Mike’s heart that required two stents in order to keep the narrowed area open and allow blood to flow again.

Following a diagnosis of heart disease, patients like Mike receive blood thinning treatment for at least 12 months to prevent blood clots. Plavix, a blood thinning medication, helps blood flow more easily and reduces the risk of a heart attack or stroke. The medication works by preventing platelets from sticking together and forming clots.

“During my recovery in the hospital after the heart catheterization procedure, Dr. Stoughton ordered a chest scan,” Mike said. “He explained to me that the scan indicated a mass on my lung which could be cancer. I was devastated, knowing I brought it on myself by smoking.”

Dr. Stoughton referred Mike to McLeod Pulmonologist Dr. Vinod Jona. After completing a bronchoscopy to biopsy the mass in Mike’s lung, Dr. Jona shared the pathology results with Mike: lung cancer.

Mike required surgery to remove the mass; however, he hesitated stopping the Plavix to undergo surgery because the medicine increases the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. He also understood that continuing the medication decreased his risk of having another heart attack or even death. Studies have shown that patients benefit most from Plavix during the first three to six months.

Mike waited a few months and then returned to Dr. Jona to discuss a treatment plan for the lung cancer. Dr. Jona suggested that Mike meet with Dr. Wayne Holley, McLeod Thoracic Surgeon, and review his surgical options. Dr. Holley joined McLeod Regional Medical Center in December 2017, sharing his expertise in the specialty of robotic thoracic surgery.

After reviewing Mike’s scans and conducting a physical exam, Dr. Holley conferred with Dr. Stoughton who agreed to allow Mike to come off the Plavix for five days for Dr. Holley to operate. In June 2018, Dr. Holley performed a robotic video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery removing the right lower lobe of Mike’s lung and dissecting three lymph nodes.

Thoracic robotic-assisted surgery, a form of minimally invasive surgery, allows the surgeon to reach the lungs without spreading the ribs. “This form of surgery offers better visualization and more precision with smaller incisions,” explained Dr. Holley.

Minimally invasive thoracic surgery also produces better outcomes, results in less pain, better staging of lung cancer, fewer post-operative complications and a two-day hospitalization as opposed to eight to ten days, according to Dr. Holley.

Following surgery, Mike resumed taking Plavix and waited anxiously for Dr. Holley to clear him to return to work. When Mike returned for his follow-up appointment, Dr. Holley explained to him the lung cancer had spread to two lymph nodes. The metastasis of the cancer to the lymph nodes would require Mike to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatment. As the appointment ended, Mike recalls that Dr. Holley turned to leave, then suddenly came back and gave him a hug. “He said to me, ‘Everything is going to be alright.’

“Words cannot express my deep appreciation for Dr. Holley. He is not only the best doctor, but also a great man.”

With no health insurance, Mike worried how he would afford cancer treatment. Fortunately, Dr. Holley recommended the McLeod Cancer Clinic for Mike’s care.

“When needed I refer patients to the McLeod Cancer Clinic,” explained Dr. Holley. “I feel that McLeod is simply fulfilling its mission in the region to serve patients, regardless of their ability to pay. This commitment distinguishes our hospital from other facilities.”

The McLeod Cancer Clinic provides cancer services, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, on an outpatient basis to cancer patients from Florence, Darlington, Dillon, Marion, Marlboro and Chesterfield Counties who have no insurance coverage.

In order to receive care in the McLeod Cancer Clinic, a physician must refer the patient with documentation of a cancer diagnosis confirmed by a biopsy. Patients should meet certain income criteria. The six medical oncologists affiliated with McLeod Regional Medical Center care for patients in the clinic on a monthly basis.

Nearly a year after his heart attack, Mike completed his final chemotherapy treatment on December 3, 2018. Continuing his journey from heart disease to cancer, Mike reports he has made some positive lifestyle changes.

“Fear serves as a good motivator when you want to get well,” explained Mike. “I have not touched a cigarette in a year. Because of the time and effort the McLeod teams gave to heal me, I would never do anything to jeopardize what they have done.”

During Mike’s cancer treatment, he bonded with McLeod Oncologist Dr. Sreenivas Rao; Tara Pierce, McLeod Cancer Clinic Coordinator; McLeod Radiation Oncologist Dr. Virginia Clyburn-Ipock; Dr. Jona and Dr. Holley.

“They supported me through all of it,” said Mike. “The Cancer Center staff are a testament as to why McLeod is a top notch hospital. The doctors and nurses have gone above and beyond to make sure I receive the best care; they truly saved my life.”

A New Treatment For Aneurysm Repair

By Tammy White

You inherited your father’s nose and your mother’s brown eyes. Thanks to your father’s athleticism you also excelled at sports and good grades came easy due to the intelligence you received from your mother. However, your parent’s genetics can have serious implications on your future health. Because if either of them developed an aneurysm you are more likely to have one, too.

An aneurysm, described as an enlarged, balloon-like bulge, and weakened section of a blood vessel, produces a dangerous threat of rupture if left untreated. The danger increases with size and unmanaged high blood pressure. Approximately 30,000 deaths occur each year in the United States due to abdominal aortic aneurysms, usually because of rupture.

How would you know if you are predisposed to have Mom or Dad’s aneurysm? “You would not,” says McLeod Vascular Surgeon Dr. Eva Rzucidlo. “Commonly patients with aneurysms never encounter symptoms.”

Those who do, may experience: a pulsing sensation that feels like a heartbeat in the abdomen; sudden onset of intense pain in the abdomen, chest, or lower back; or an abdomen that has become stiff or rigid.

“For many of us our mid-section has grown a little larger over the years so the pulsing sensation isn’t noticeable by the patient but detected by a physician during a routine physical exam,” said Dr. Rzucidlo. “About 30 percent of aneurysms are discovered in this manner.”

The most common type of aneurysm is the abdominal aortic aneurysm. Most aneurysms occur in the aorta, the largest blood vessel that comes out of the heart and provides blood to the rest of the body.

The traditional surgical treatment involves sealing off the aneurysm with the placement of an endovascular graft stent. This stent, a fabric-covered metallic scaffold, once inserted into the aneurysm protects it from bursting or continuing to grow. It takes two small injections in the groin area to perform this procedure. The endovascular method requires the location of the aneurysm far enough from the kidney arteries, which branch off the aorta, so the stent can be securely attached to the aorta for the procedure to be successful.

Ten percent of patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm are discovered to have aneurysms too close to the kidneys for the traditional treatment to work. This makes the aneurysm complicated to treat. An aneurysm located too close to an organ makes attaching the graft a challenge.

For patients who are not a candidate for the traditional endovascular treatment, a minimally-invasive option at McLeod Regional Medical Center now gives patients another possibility. Fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR), a form of endovascular surgery, uses a custom-designed graft to repair the aneurysm. FEVAR makes it possible to treat the aortic aneurysm that had been formerly inoperable.

A computed tomography (CT) scan of the aorta helps to create the custom designed graft for the FEVAR procedure. The graft has dedicated holes (fenestrations) that correspond to the unique positioning of the arteries in the body that branch off from the aorta to the kidneys, intestines and liver.

Because an aneurysm involves the major blood vessels from the aorta that feed the kidneys, intestines and liver, the stent graft from the traditional method cannot be used as it blocks the blood flow to the organs.

With the implanting of the fenestrated endograft inside the aneurysm, blood can flow through the diseased area without putting pressure on the aneurysm, and the holes in the graft allow blood flow to continue to the vital organs.

“The FEVAR procedure has really advanced the treatment of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms at McLeod,” said Dr. Rzucidlo. “With this technology it allows patients to undergo treatment and go home the day after their procedure. It also eases their fear of the aneurysm rupturing.”

Two Hospitals partner in Stroke Prevention

By Jennifer Hulon & Tammy White

Five years ago, Franklin Webster from Cheraw, South Carolina, knew something was not right with his health. He began experiencing shortness of breath and elevated blood pressure due to a carotid artery blocked with plaque, which limited blood flow to his brain.

Franklin underwent a standard carotid endarterectomy, a procedure to treat carotid artery disease, performed by McLeod Vascular Surgeon Dr. Christopher Cunningham at McLeod Regional Medical Center.

The carotid arteries, the main arteries to the brain, carry blood flow on each side of the neck up into the brain.

Franklin continued to have his carotid monitored by Dr. Cunningham to make sure the artery remained open.

In January 2018, Franklin learned Dr. Cunningham was relocating to McLeod Health Seacoast, in Little River, in order to expand vascular services to the patients of Horry County.

Before leaving McLeod Regional Medical Center, Dr. Cunningham helped to establish a procedure in stroke preventative care called Transcarotid Arterial Revascularization (TCAR).

TCAR, a minimally invasive carotid artery treatment, temporarily reverses the patient’s blood flow to keep blood clots away from the brain to prevent a stroke.

Placement of a stent inside the artery helps keep it clear of plaque and minimizes the risk of additional strokes.

“We were fortunate to have been selected as the first class of surgeons in South Carolina to complete the FDA training for TCAR,” said Dr. Cunningham. “TCAR became available to patients first at McLeod Regional Medical Center and then we brought it to McLeod Health Seacoast. My partners and I are pleased to be a part of a healthcare system that strives to stay abreast of cutting-edge technology to offer our patients the best in stroke and vascular care.”

With Dr. Cunningham’s relocation, Franklin’s care transitioned to McLeod Vascular Surgeon Dr. Eva Rzucidlo. Franklin continued to have his carotid monitored by Dr. Rzucidlo. In October 2018, Dr. Rzucidlo indicated to Franklin his right carotid required another interventional procedure. The plaque inside his carotid artery had once again built up, the opening for blood flow narrowed. Because he had already undergone one procedure, Dr. Rzucidlo discussed TCAR as being the best option for repair.

“Some patient’s medical conditions not only place them at a high risk but also prohibit them from undergoing a carotid endarterectomy, which makes TCAR a more viable option,” said Dr. Rzucidlo.

“Dr. Rzucidlo did an excellent job of explaining the procedure to me in terms I could understand,” said Franklin. “She really put my mind at ease, and my family appreciated how calm she made me. After the procedure, I spent the night in the hospital for monitoring. Two days later, except for the surgical scars, you never would have known I had a procedure.”

“TCAR patients have a brief hospital stay and find they recover quickly,” said Dr. Rzucidlo. “Most patients return to their normal activities within a week. The small procedural incision leads to less pain and minimal scarring.”

During the procedure, a McLeod Vascular Surgeon (Dr. Christopher Cunningham, Dr. Carmen Piccolo, Dr. Eva Rzucidlo, or Dr. Joshua Sibille) makes a very small, one-inch incision by the collarbone to gain access to the blocked artery while the patient remains under local anesthesia.

Temporary reversal of the blood flow in the carotid artery diverts any dangerous debris that may break loose during the procedure. A soft, flexible tube, placed into the carotid artery, connects to a filter system that directs the blood flow away from the brain and captures fragments of plaque that may come loose during the procedure. The blood returns through a second tube placed in the patient’s thigh after filtration.

This filter system also allows stenting to be performed to clear the blockage in the carotid during the blood flow reversal process. A stent, a tiny mesh wire tube, implanted inside the carotid artery, stabilizes the blocked area. The stent stays in the artery permanently to hold the artery open. After securing the stent, the vascular surgeon removes the filter system and blood flow to the brain resumes its normal direction.

Four months after recovering from the first procedure, Dr. Rzucidlo scheduled Franklin for a TCAR procedure for his left carotid artery. “I noticed from Mr. Webster’s ultrasound scan results that the opening of the left carotid was getting tighter than I would like to see,” said Dr. Rzucidlo.

“I brought this condition on myself,” said Franklin. “I started smoking as a teenager at age 16. All those years of smoking created excessive damage to my blood vessels.

“I am certainly grateful to Dr. Rzucidlo. She is one of the biggest reasons I am still here today. With these treatments, Dr. Rzucidlo helped me avoid having a stroke,” added Franklin.

Gail Watson
Originally from Connecticut, Gail Watson and her husband Ben moved to Surfside Beach to retire. For most of her life, Gail smoked. However, when a Low Dose CT Lung screening detected four nodules in her lungs, Gail laid her cigarettes down for good.

Not only determined to quit smoking, Gail also began to take better care of herself through diet and exercise.

Since dancing was always one of her favorite pastimes she began teaching a line-dancing class as part of her new healthy lifestyle.

During a routine visit, Gail’s primary care physician grew concerned after listening to her right carotid artery. “A primary care physician will check the carotid arteries with a stethoscope,” explained Dr. Cunningham. “They are listening for Carotid Bruits, a systolic sound due to low blood flow.”

Gail’s primary care physician referred her to Dr. Cunningham. Following an ultrasound, Dr. Cunningham determined Gail was a candidate for the TCAR procedure. This innovative and less invasive procedure would eliminate her carotid blockage and get her back to normal activities.

“After Dr. Cunningham told me about the TCAR method I could tell he had no doubt this procedure would work for me,” said Gail. “I loved his energy and confidence.

“Although I had never heard of the TCAR procedure, after discussing my options with Dr. Cunningham, I realized it offered the least amount of risk.”

Dr. Cunningham performed Gail’s TCAR procedure in February 2019. Gail said she quickly bounced back after surgery.

After recovering for two weeks, Gail returned to dancing. “I would suggest TCAR to anyone diagnosed with carotid artery disease,” added Gail.

Recently, the two TCAR teams were recognized nationally for their high patient outcomes, superb procedural techniques of the vascular surgeons and the excellent patient care they provide. Silk Road Medical, the developers of this procedure, awarded the TCAR Centers of Excellence to McLeod Regional Medical Center and McLeod Health Seacoast. The hospitals were recognized as the top two heart and vascular centers for this procedure in the state of South Carolina. With a low stroke risk and a faster patient recovery, TCAR and McLeod represent the future of carotid repair.

“We are pleased that the McLeod Heart and Vascular Institute has been deemed a TCAR Center of Excellence,” said Dr. Rzucidlo. “This designation shows that our outcomes and quality care match other nationally recognized centers.”

Lorene Godbold

Shirley Simon

Brenda Kelly

Suné Watts

Pam Palmer

Second Chance at Life

By Carrie Anna Strange

Manning resident Ethel Starks, a wife, mother of three and grandmother of five, has been active all her life. As a 19-year breast cancer survivor, Ethel knows the importance of taking good care of herself and keeping an eye on her health.

But in the summer of 2015, Ethel noticed she felt more fatigued and short of breath with only small amounts of activity. There were other signs as well – weight gain and a cough that would not go away.

She initially blamed the symptoms on soaring summer temperatures, but she knew that there may be more to her worries.

At her next appointment with her primary care physician, Ethel shared her concerns. “With my heart history and my current symptoms, she admitted me to the hospital that same day. That is when I first met McLeod Cardiologist Dr. Ryan Garbalosa with McLeod Cardiology Associates Sumter. After learning about my symptoms, Dr. Garbalosa started ordering tests to check my heart,” said Ethel.

One of the tests ordered by Dr. Garbalosa was an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to allow physicians to see how the heart moves and pumps blood. This test can show how the heart functions and can detect fluid around the heart. When the test is complete, an “ejection fraction” or “EF” is calculated which is an estimate of how the heart is functioning.

“Normally, this is somewhere around 50 to 70 percent,” explained Dr. Garbalosa. “For Ethel, it was only 13 percent, showing that her heart was very weak. A low ejection fraction, one of the causes of congestive heart failure, occurs when your heart is not working well enough to keep your blood circulating correctly. This was the cause of Ethel’s symptoms.

“A decrease in ejection fraction can be caused by several things,” said Dr. Garbalosa. “The most common causes are not getting enough blood flow to the heart due to a blocked blood vessel or having an uncontrolled blood pressure. However, there are many other reasons such as infections, certain medications, or problems with the electrical signals in the heart.

“Ethel already had some heart problems from a previous heart attack, but it seemed that her symptoms were getting much worse. It got to the point where she could not lay down to sleep or walk across the room without difficulty breathing. It was tough going at first because her symptoms were severe and her heart was so weak, but I told her that I would not give up on her,” added Dr. Garbalosa.

“My heart and lungs had fluid all around them,” Ethel recalled. “I needed medications to remove the excess fluid and strengthen my heart but my blood pressure kept dropping. I was told that if the medications did not work I might need a heart transplant.”

“There are many medications available to treat congestive heart failure,” Dr. Garbalosa said. “Some of them can dramatically improve symptoms and keep our patients out of the hospital and at home doing the things they love. Ethel was given the best and most modern medicine available and after a little time, things started to turn around.”

“I was worried about my health, but even more so about my family,” Ethel stated. “What if my heart stopped while I was sleeping? What about my husband, my children, and my grandchildren? What if I missed my grandchildren growing up?” These worries became her reasons to fight.

One of the reasons that Ethel’s symptoms were so significant was that the electrical signals in the heart were not working properly. Dr. Garbalosa performed an ECG, or electrocardiogram, which indicates the electrical activity of the heart. “It was abnormal and showed that both sides of her heart were not squeezing at the same time. At this point I referred Ethel to McLeod Electrophysiologist Dr. Rajesh Malik,” said Dr. Garbalosa.

Dr. Malik implanted a special kind of pacemaker called a bi-ventricular pacemaker/defibrillator that would pace both sides of Ethel’s heart so they squeezed in unison as well as to prevent her from having an abnormal heart rhythm. After the procedure, Ethel spent the next few days at McLeod Regional Medical Center surrounded by staff that she says joined her in her fight.

For the next year, Ethel was followed closely by Dr. Garbalosa. At first, she saw him every few weeks, then every few months. Each time, Dr. Garbalosa adjusted her medications and made sure she was avoiding salt. Slowly Ethel started walking more and continued increasing her activities. “I felt like I had been given a second chance,” said Ethel.

Today, more than three years after Dr. Garbalosa began assisting Ethel in taking control of her heart health, she remains grateful to him and the McLeod team for helping her regain her quality of life. She says that she is able to do some activities now that she hasn’t done in years, even the small things that many take for granted.

“I can enjoy a family vacation and keep up with my five grandchildren. I’ve also returned to work and I’m able to do more around the house,” Ethel added. “My faith in God, my family, and Dr. Garbalosa are why I’m doing so well.

Where the Road Leads

By Jennifer Hulon

Jerry Burkhart loved traveling the country every summer. During the two months
that Jerry’s wife, Jeri, was not teaching school, they would set off in their RV from
their home in Lexington, North Carolina, stopping at various places across the
United States. When Jeri retired in 2017, they decided to sell their RV and move
to North Myrtle Beach.

A few months after settling into their new home, Jerry walked into the kitchen where Jeri was sitting at the table and he began mumbling, saying he didn’t feel “right.” Knowing something was wrong and fearing a stroke, Jeri made the decision to take her husband to the McLeod Health Seacoast Emergency Department (ED).

Upon evaluation, the Burkharts were told Jerry had experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also referred to as a mini-stroke. A temporary blockage in the brain, the symptoms of a TIA are similar to a stroke, but are not permanent. However, a TIA is a warning sign of a stroke, so immediate evaluation of the cause is needed.

The ED Physicians made the decision to transport Jerry to McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence for further evaluation and treatment. Because of his strong risk factor profile for heart disease due to diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other known arterial disease, Jerry understood the importance of being monitored by a vascular surgeon and cardiologist.

After his hospitalization in Florence, Jerry scheduled appointments with McLeod Health Vascular Surgeon Dr. Christopher Cunningham and McLeod Health Cardiologist Dr. Gavin Leask. Dr. Cunningham is a member of the McLeod Vascular Associates team. Dr. Leask treats patients at McLeod Cardiology Associates.

To assess Jerry’s heart function and risk of obstructive coronary artery disease, Dr. Leask ordered an echocardiogram and nuclear stress test. Both tests returned with normal readings.

Prior to his first visit with Dr. Cunningham, Jerry began to experience slurred speech. Based on this new symptom, Jerry’s appointment with Dr. Cunningham was sooner.

A computed tomography angiography (CTA) scan, a special kind of CT exam that focuses particularly on the blood vessels, was performed.

Dr. Cunningham examined Jerry and reviewed the results of his CTA scan. He explained to Jerry that the slurred speech occurred because his left carotid artery (located in the neck) showed a tight stenosis, a narrowing in a blood vessel. Dr. Cunningham scheduled Jerry for a carotid endarterectomy, a surgical procedure to reduce his risk of a future stroke. During an endarterectomy, plaque is removed from inside the artery correcting the stenosis. Jerry’s surgery went well and he returned home within 24 hours.

At his follow-up appointment with Dr. Cunningham, Jerry mentioned that he struggled walking for any distance. He shared that he could not even walk the length of a football field. This difficulty interfered with Jerry’s ability to exercise. He explained to Dr. Cunningham that the symptoms had progressed over the past several years.

“Dr. Cunningham felt for the pulse in my leg and identified a blockage,” said Jerry. “He quickly determined the problem which impressed me greatly.”

A second CTA scan was administered which detected an arterial occlusion, or blockage. Dr. Cunningham scheduled Jerry for an angioplasty, a surgical procedure that removes plaque in an artery. A couple of hours after surgery, Dr. Cunningham discharged Jerry home after he observed him walking normally.

“Two weeks after the surgery, an ultrasound showed all blocked areas treated in Jerry’s leg were wide open with normal pulses,” said Dr. Cunningham. “I could not be more satisfied with his results.”

Stroke patients remain under life-long care by a physician.

Dr. Cunningham and Jerry have created a friendship and bond through all of Jerry’s procedures.

“We have encountered a number of surgeons through the years, but I’ve never had as much confidence in one like I do with Dr. Cunningham,” said Jerry. “He speaks to me so I understand what the procedure will involve from start to finish. He overshadows all the other surgeons I have ever seen.”

Today, Jerry and his wife are appreciating retirement and living a healthier life. He is also back in the gym enjoying what he loves. Through his many travels, Jerry chose to make North Myrtle Beach his home and says he is blessed to have McLeod Health right around the corner.

“I highly recommend McLeod Health,” added Jerry, whose excellent outcomes have brought quality to his life and retirement.

Walking the Right Path Together

By Shaw Thompson

Seeing a Primary Care Physician Regularly May Save Your Life

To look at Bob Sillman, one would have thought he was the picture of good health. Energetic and active at 60 years of age, Bob and his wife Charlotte start most mornings with a brisk walk before breakfast and getting ready for work.

However, the morning of August 7, 2018 did not proceed according to their normal schedule. Prior to their walk, Bob began his morning ritual of brushing his teeth and shaving before walking. As he was getting ready, he noticed something odd about his right hand. When he reached to flush the toilet, he missed the handle twice. Finally, he succeeded on his third try.

“It was 5:30 in the morning and I chalked up the problem to not being fully awake,” said Bob. “I am left-handed, so I shaved and noticed nothing unusual. But, as I reached for a towel with my right hand to wipe my face, I missed the towel. Then after brushing my teeth, water dribbled from my mouth when I attempted to rinse out the toothpaste.”

A 15-year member of the McLeod Health team, Bob’s mind leapt to a message he had seen often on flyers and billboards. F.A.S.T. (Face, Arm, Speech, Time), the acronym for recognizing signs of a stroke, explained the symptoms he was experiencing.

“My next thought was to ask my wife if my speech seemed odd,” said Bob. “When I opened my mouth and gibberish came out, I knew the answer.”

Bob’s wife Charlotte, an occupational therapist at McLeod Health Darlington, said, “As soon as I saw his face, I knew he was having a stroke.” Knowing that time was crucial, they rushed to the McLeod Regional Medical Center Emergency Department for treatment.

An examination by the emergency medicine team revealed that Bob had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but more alarming was the discovery of an elevated blood sugar level of 302. That number triggered Bob having a test called an A1C, a measurement of the blood glucose levels in hemoglobin used to diagnose diabetes. Normal ranges for non-diabetics are below 5.7 percent. Bob’s level was 12.9 percent, making him a diabetic.

“In a matter of hours, I went from thinking I was healthy to having a stroke and being a diabetic,” said Bob. “I was not aware of any family history of diabetes, and I felt fine. I knew my life was changed forever, and that these concerns, in all probability, had been fully preventable.” In addition, Bob’s work-up showed a 99 percent blockage of his right carotid artery (the artery supplying blood to the right side of his brain). This blockage also had small particles of blood clot in it, significantly increasing Bob’s risk for yet another stroke. Because of this, McLeod Vascular Surgeon Dr. Carmen Piccolo was consulted.

“Given the amount, location and type of blockage in his carotid artery, Bob needed the more traditional open endarterectomy. During this procedure, we make a cut in the neck, open the artery, clean out all of the blockage and then place a patch on the artery to make it bigger,” explained Dr. Piccolo.

The carotid surgery was performed on August 10 -- only three days following Bob’s stroke. While preparing for his surgery, Bob was visited by McLeod Neurologist Dr. Timothy Hagen. Dr. Hagen confirmed the initial stroke diagnosis and was monitoring Bob’s care as his stroke symptoms subsided. They had a conversation Bob will never forget.

“Dr. Hagen remarked to me that I was only 60 years old,” said Bob. “The other patients on the floor with the same concerns were in their seventies, eighties and nineties. What was I doing here?”

That moment sparked more reflection: how had he gotten here? What could he have done to prevent it, and what should he do going forward?

“During my whole experience, from the emergency room physicians to Dr. Hagen and Dr. Piccolo, all of them asked me ‘Who is your primary care doctor?’ The answer was simple. I did not have one.”

Bob had not seen a doctor for an annual check-up or even brief illness for more than a decade. He had no established relationship with a family medicine or internal medicine physician, and had not taken advantage of free occupational health programs provided by his employer. Unfortunately, working in healthcare and having access to physician practices did not lead to his seeking a primary care provider.

“I felt fine, I was not sick -- I did not think I needed to go to the doctor,” said Bob. “It took a life-threatening event, a stroke, for me to see how going to the doctor, even when you do feel fine, is important.”

At a post-surgical appointment with Dr. Piccolo, Bob discussed his questions and lack of a personal physician. At Dr. Piccolo’s urging, Bob set up an appointment with McLeod Family Medicine Physician Dr. Stephanie Strickland.

“Many of the new patients I see come following an emergency or major health scare,” explained Dr. Strickland. “We have a picture in our minds of the stereo - typical person who has high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. People walk around feeling fine, not aware of what issues our bodies may be gradually adjusting to over time. It is not until the system breaks that they know something is wrong. If we do not personally recognize symptoms, we do not see ourselves fitting those stereotypes.”

Those misconceptions are why having an established relationship with a primary care physician is so important for people of all ages and health levels. “Our goal as primary care physicians is keeping people healthy,” said Dr. Strickland. “Half of good health is genetics; the other half is what we do on our own to maintain it. Often, we can take care of sicknesses and conditions ourselves, or we can be a gateway to specialists, surgeons, or other services as needed. Working together, we can prevent major health concerns before they happen.”

Under Dr. Strickland’s care, Bob now has a physician dedicated to addressing his concerns directly, especially his new challenge of diabetes.

“Dr. Strickland works with me on medications, diet and lifestyle changes,” said Bob.

“Before my stroke, I rarely ate fruit and vegetables, mostly just starches like pasta and meats. Little did I know that the carbohydrates and hidden sugar in my diet put me on the path to diabetes.

That diagnosis could have been discovered with routine lab tests had I been under the care of a physician. With only changing my eating habits, I have lost 30 pounds and feel much better. I know I am a diabetic now, but I hope, in time, I may not be one forever.”

If he ever needs motivation to continue those changes, Bob only has to look in the mirror. The scar on his neck is a permanent reminder of the close call that gave him a second chance.

Ready for the Next 70 Years

By Tammy White

Heart Surgery Provides New Lease on Life

One cold, crisp morning, Dwight Lindley stepped outside and breathed in the fresh air. He noticed that his lungs felt a little sensitive from the bitter temperature. Dwight considered the achy feeling in his lungs that he experienced whenever going out into the cold air as normal. However, when the season changed, and the temperatures rose, the achy feeling did not go away.

A family history of heart disease and being diabetic prompted a referral by Dwight’s primary care physician to Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Fred Krainin of McLeod Cardiology Associates.

Diagnostic testing, including a heart catheterization performed by Dr. Krainin, revealed five coronary artery blockages, all more than 90 percent blocked. Due to the seriousness of his condition, Dr. Krainin did not release Dwight to go home following his catheterization. Dwight needed immediate open heart surgery to repair the blockages.

Dr. Krainin referred Dwight to Dr. Robert Messier, a Board Certified Cardiothoracic Surgeon whose areas of expertise include Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery, Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Repair, and Thoracic Aneurysm Surgery. Dr. Messier, along with his partners, Dr. Wayne Holley, Dr. Cary Huber and Dr. Scot Schultz, bring world class heart care to patients in Northeastern South Carolina and Southeastern North Carolina.

Dr. Messier met with Dwight and his family in his patient room at McLeod Regional Medical Center. “I felt very comfortable with Dr. Messier,” said Dwight. “He answered all of our questions and reassured me to the point that I did not feel overly anxious about undergoing surgery.”

On March 13, 2018, Dr. Messier performed Dwight’s quadruple Coronary Artery Bypass surgery. Dwight had four blockages that could be bypassed. The fifth blocked artery was too small to bypass, but it would not affect the performance of his heart, according to Dr. Messier.

“As I lay on the surgical table in the operating room, I had an expectation I would be asked to count backwards,” said Dwight. “I thought the anesthesiologist would ask me to do this to help put me to sleep for the surgery, but the counting never took place.

“One minute I was involved in a conversation with Dr. Messier and the next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery. I believe Dr. Messier helps relieve last minute anxiety for his patients by engaging them in conversation like he did with me.

“After surgery, I experienced very little pain except when I had to cough,” added Dwight.

Patients who have undergone surgery require breathing exercises, using an incentive spirometer given to them while they are in the hospital, as well as deep breathing and coughing every couple of hours to ensure their lungs stay fully inflated. These exercises can be painful for open heart surgery patients because of their large chest incision. For this reason, they are given a heart hugger pillow to hold against their chest whenever they cough or move.

“During open heart surgical procedures, I use a special retractor,” said Dr. Messier. “A retractor holds the chest open for performing the surgery. A standard retractor will hold the chest open in a square shape. The one I utilize holds it open in a pie shape. This smaller opening reduces the post-operative pain for the patient.”

Once Dwight sufficiently recovered from surgery, he began Cardiac Rehabilitation at the McLeod Health and Fitness Center. He admits exercise, a nonexistent entity in his life prior to surgery, has now become more of a focus. Dwight exercises three times a week at the McLeod Health and Fitness Center and uses a stationary bike at home.

“I also carefully watch what I eat,” said Dwight. “My wife, Becky, and I rarely eat fried foods but when we do, we use a hot air fryer. I also look at sodium levels, which is important for anyone on a cardiac diet.”

One of the proudest moments since Dwight’s recovery occurred on July 21 when he officiated his daughter Rebecca’s wedding at Immanuel Baptist Church in Florence. “She waited 42 years to meet the man of her dreams,” said Dwight. “I felt so happy to see how much she smiled that day.”

Today, Dwight is grateful he made the decision to see his primary care physician in March. “I had no idea my diagnosis would end up being heart-related,” said Dwight. “I encourage anyone feeling something they find troublesome to not take it too lightly. It could be more than you expect. Fortunately, I didn’t let it go or it may not have been such a positive outcome for me.

“During my heart journey, I felt like I had my own personal team handling my care – from Dr. Krainin and Dr. Messier to the McLeod Home Health team, who provided post-surgery home care, and McLeod Cardiac Rehabilitation. They all worked so well together. I am now ready for my next 70 years,” added Dwight.

A Team Approach Targeting Atrial Fibrillation

By Tammy White

New Convergent Procedure Combines Cardiothoracic Surgery and Electrophysiology to Treat A-Fib.

An irregularity of the heartbeat, atrial fibrillation, occurs in ten to 15 percent of the population -- increasing in prevalence as a person ages. The irregular heartbeat weakens the heart muscle with time. More importantly, it increases an individual’s risk of stroke. As the blood collects in the upper chambers of the heart it tends to form clots, which can cause strokes.

“The most common arrhythmia in adults, atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) increases with age, from less than one percent of those younger than age 60, to roughly one in every ten persons aged 80 years or older,” explained Dr. Rajesh Malik, a McLeod Electrophysiologist.

An Electrophysiologist specializes in evaluating the abnormalities of the heart’s rhythm. Dr. Malik serves as one of two physicians at McLeod who treats the electrical system of the heart.

A significant portion of the people on a medical regime for A-Fib are intolerant to the medication for one reason or another. Blood thinners, a core component in the treatment for atrial fibrillation, can also cause bleeding complications and other issues in many patients.

If the medicines or blood thinners do not work, usually the next treatment step involves an ablation performed by an Electrophysiologist. Ablation refers to removing or disconnecting some of the abnormal electrical connections that contribute to atrial fibrillation. Ablation  potentially may permanently cure an arrhythmia, and many times, allows the patient to avoid taking medication.

If successful, an ablation eliminates the atrial fibrillation problem for a significant number of patients. An operation performed by a Cardiothoracic Surgeon can also cure atrial fibrillation, but it is fairly invasive and requires making a large incision in the chest and putting the patient on the heart lung bypass machine.

For patients with atrial fibrillation who are sensitive to medications and blood thinner treatments, or their ablation procedure was unsuccessful, they may be considered a potential candidate for Convergent, a new procedure available at McLeod Regional Medical Center that combines the best aspects of the surgical approach to atrial fibrillation with the Electrophysiologist’s ablation technique.

During the Convergent procedure, the Cardiothoracic Surgeon performs a minimally invasive approach to ablate, (destroy), the tissues on the back of the heart. An Electrophysiologist then performs ablations on the inside and front portions of the heart. “By combining these two techniques, we produce a much more reliable result for the patient and a potential way for them to no longer need their medications and/or blood thinners,” said Dr. S. Cary Huber, McLeod Cardiothoracic Surgeon.

The surgical portion of the procedure, performed by Dr. Huber, involves a small one to two-inch incision right below the breastbone. Dr. Huber inserts the ablation device directly into the small incision. With the assistance of a small camera, a radiofrequency current of targeted heat destroys the tissue in the problem areas of the heart to restore it back to a regular rhythm.

Dr. Malik then threads a thin, flexible wire catheter through the inside of the heart for his portion of the procedure. Using radiofrequency ablation, Dr. Malik ablates any remaining gaps and conducts tests to confirm that all of the abnormal electrical impulses have been eliminated.

The procedure requires three to four hours. Most patients recover in the hospital for two or three days afterwards and return to normal activities within a couple of days after going home. This minimally invasive procedure offers a much faster recovery than with an open procedure.

“The Convergent procedure is one opportunity we have available to help patients manage their atrial fibrillation,” said Dr. Malik.

“At the McLeod Cardiology Associates office in Florence, we also offer an Atrial Fibrillation Clinic where our team works with the patient to develop a treatment plan for their A-Fib. For those patients who suffer from chronic atrial fibrillation and who qualify, we are pleased to now offer the Convergent procedure option.”

“At McLeod, we have embraced the heart team concept, not just for arrhythmia surgery, but for all types of heart problems whether it involves coronary artery valve issues or arrhythmia,” added Dr. Huber.

“Multiple studies have shown that if you evaluate the patient as a team, with everyone offering their own level of expertise and contributing to the same cause, patient care improves greatly. The Convergent procedure is one example of the heart team concept being applied to arrhythmia concerns for the betterment of patient care.”

Moving in The Right Direction

By Jennifer Hulon

Ann Keelan, a retired medical professional, suffered from mitral valve prolapse and understood the risks involved with her condition. After moving to Surfside Beach from Maryland, she began to research hospitals in the area and was impressed by the quality and expertise of the McLeod Health physicians and staff.

“I wanted to go to an experienced and reputable institution that could be trusted,” said Ann. “I was pleasantly surprised to find a hospital system like McLeod that had an extraordinary level of quality as the forefront of their medical care this close to home.”

The heart has four valves that are essentially flaps of tissue, whose job is to keep the blood flowing in one direction through the heart and body. If any of the four valves does not open or close properly, the result is heart valve disease. One of the most common heart diseases in females, mitral valve prolapse, occurs when the valve leaflets do not seal properly.

Untreated leaky mitral valves can lead to chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, infections, dizziness, fainting, panic attacks and stroke.

After Ann established a relationship with a primary care physician, she was advised to schedule an appointment with a cardiologist to monitor her mitral valve condition. Understanding the risks involved with mitral valve prolapse, her physician wanted to ensure Ann was observed more closely. He then referred Ann to Dr. Anne Everman with McLeod Cardiology Associates.

Dr. Everman discussed monitoring Ann’s condition in order to be proactive with necessary treatments. “When I first met Ann, we found she was at a moderate state in her mitral valve prolapse condition,” said Dr. Everman. “Our goal was to get in front of the problem -- monitoring her condition closely.

“Given that initial symptoms are subtle, patients frequently pass off their symptoms as an excuse of getting older and slowing down,” said Dr. Everman. In May of 2017, diagnostic testing using echocardiography indicated to Dr. Everman that Ann may be in need of valve surgery. Her mitral valve had deteriorated and wasn’t closing properly, allowing blood to flow backward into her left atrium and lungs.

Dr. Everman recommended Ann see Dr. Scot Schultz, a McLeod Cardiothoracic Surgeon, to discuss options for repairing the leaking valve. Dr. Schultz has experience and specializes in all types of valve repair and replacement.

“Some people, especially females, are born predisposed to this heart condition and live much of their lives with no symptoms,” said Dr. Schultz. “If symptoms do appear, it is usually shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats (called arrhythmias), dizziness or even chest pain.”

Mitral valve repair is unique for every patient. Successful repair requires the experience of a cardiothoracic surgeon who has an understanding of how the heart’s valve and muscle structure function as one. For this reason, mitral valve repair requires the attention of the most competent heart and valve surgeons available.

After examining Ann, Dr. Schultz scheduled her for surgery at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence the following week.

During Ann’s surgery, Dr. Schultz and his anesthesia colleagues determined a valve replacement was not necessary and felt confident a complex repair would provide a durable solution to her leaky mitral valve. When possible, valve repair is preferable to replacement as this carries a lower risk of complications.

During her recovery in the hospital, Ann developed atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), a common occurrence following heart surgery. This condition is a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) of the atria (top chambers of the heart) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications, if left untreated.

Electrophysiologist Dr. Rajesh Malik with McLeod Cardiology Associates, a specialist in this condition, reviewed Ann’s case to determine how to alleviate her risk of A-Fib. Since Ann’s A-Fib prevented a regular heart rhythm, Dr. Malik explained that an implantable pacemaker, along with medication, would assist in regulating the timing and sequence of her heartbeat.

Prior to being released from the hospital, Dr. Malik performed Ann’s pacemaker procedure.

“Over the last few years, we have found novel ways to improve care for heart failure patients,” says Dr. Malik. “New medications are improving a heart patient’s quality of life, but the major leap has been in technology and the latest developments in implantable pacemakers.”

“During my career in the medical field, I worked alongside many great medical professionals,” said Ann. “McLeod Health set the bar higher than any other medical institution I’ve seen.

“McLeod Health also gave me renewed faith in the medical profession,” added Ann. “My experience with McLeod has been amazing, and I could not have had a better experience. I’ve recommended McLeod Health to many people.”

Saving the Life of Captain Howard

By Tammy White

CAMP PEE DEE PRIDE LEADER RETURNS TO THE PACK

If you were fortunate to have participated as one of the 7,000 children who attended the Florence County Sheriff’s Department’s Camp Pee Dee Pride over the past 20 years, then you had the pleasure of interacting with Captain Wayne Howard. A 44-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, Captain Howard has spent 22 years of his career working with the community to help make the camp a reality for children.

Fundraising activities are vital to the existence of Camp Pee Dee Pride. In March of 2017, the camp was just weeks away from a major fundraising event when the program’s dedicated leader became ill.

Captain Howard was working in his yard that Sunday afternoon in March. He suddenly began to feel hot, sweaty, and nauseous. His wife, Karen, called an ambulance to transport him to the McLeod Regional Medical Center Emergency Department.

In the Emergency Department, it was discovered that Captain Howard’s potassium levels were too high and his heart rate was too low. “High potassium levels can affect the rhythms of the heart,” said Dr. Katie Jennings, McLeod Emergency Services Physician. “We gave Captain Howard medications to help regulate these levels, but he was critically ill and needed intensive care monitoring.”

Captain Howard was admitted to the McLeod Heart and Vascular Intensive Care Unit. Shortly after arriving in the unit, his heart rate dropped to zero and his heart stopped beating. The nurses responded quickly to begin chest compressions, but Captain Howard’s heart started beating again on its own.

The Cardiac Catheterization team, along with McLeod Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Alan Blaker, were immediately alerted. Captain Howard’s heart rate was still dangerously low, which could have led into cardiac arrest at any moment. The nurses externally paced his heart through the use of an external pacemaker to bring his heart rate up until the Catheterization Team and Dr. Blaker could arrive.

“Captain Howard had come into the ED with dangerously high potassium levels, which is what caused his heart to stop,” said Dr. Blaker. “Coupled with a very low heart rhythm, we needed to put in a temporary pacemaker. The temporary pacemaker served to protect his heart until such time as McLeod Electrophysiologist Dr. Rajesh Malik could implant a permanent pacemaker. Dr. Malik is a partner with Dr. Blaker along with eighteen other cardiologists that provide cardiac care to patients in the McLeod Cardiology Associates offices located in Florence, Sumter, Loris, Little River and Myrtle Beach.

During the procedure, Dr. Blaker also searched for coronary blockages. He located several blockages at the front of Captain Howard’s heart and was able to repair one on the back of his heart with a drug-eluting stent, according to Dr. Blaker.

It was five days from his Emergency Department arrival before Captain Howard could remember any of these traumatic events. His first concern upon waking was his wife. The ICU nurses told him he never asked about himself, his questions were always inquiring about Karen. He wanted to make sure she was okay.

His second concern was Camp Pee Dee Pride -- making sure that everything stayed on track for a summer full of fun for the children. From his bedside, Captain Howard reached out to his assistant, Investigator James Allen, with the Florence County Sheriff ’s Department to ensure that the golf tournament taking place in three weeks was all set.

“I have been a member of the McLeod Health and Fitness Center for 15 years, exercising four times a week, so my physicians were not concerned with my overall physical fitness,” explained Captain Howard. “They allowed me to delay my participation in Cardiac Rehabilitation until after Camp Pee Dee Pride as long as I didn’t overextend myself, and I began a heart healthy diet. Fortunately, with the help of James and my support staff, it was another successful summer.

“This episode with my heart was very surprising. Since the 2017 camp season has ended I have been participating in McLeod Cardiac Rehabilitation and working closely with my physicians to make sure I stay healthy. I am so appreciative of everything the McLeod doctors and nurses did to save my life. I can truly say I am here today because of the care I received at McLeod,” added Captain Howard.

TCAR A Big Name in Stroke Care

By Tammy White

Transcarotid Arterial Revascularization Procedure Now Available.

Stroke, a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States ranks as the fifth leading cause of death in South Carolina. In an effort to decrease the risk of stroke for patients who may not be a candidate for other stroke treatments, McLeod offers a new minimally invasive procedure to treat carotid artery disease.

The carotid arteries, the main arteries to the brain, carry blood flow on each side of the neck up into the brain. Their function is to provide oxygen.

Over time, people develop problems with the arteries to their brain in the form of blockages as plaque builds up in the walls of their carotid arteries. This plaque consists of cholesterol, calcium and fibrous tissue.

As the plaque increases, the arteries narrow and eventually the build up of plaque reduces the blood flow through the arteries. If those blockages get severe enough they can cause a stroke.

Ischemic strokes account for 80 to 90 percent of strokes with an estimated 20 to 30 percent caused by disease in the carotid arteries.

Carotid artery disease is a serious issue because blood clots can form on the plaque, and if a clot or a piece of plaque breaks loose and travels to the brain it can block the blood flow to the brain.

Carotid endarterectomy, a procedure to treat carotid artery disease, is performed by the Vascular Surgeons of McLeod Vascular Associates.

During this procedure, the McLeod Vascular Surgeon exposes the carotid artery through an incision on the side of the neck. The artery, after being clamped on both sides of the blockage, is then opened to access the plaque. The plaque is removed from inside the artery and the artery then sewn back together.

“This is an effective treatment for decreasing the risk of stroke,” said McLeod Vascular Surgeon Dr. Christopher Cunningham. “However, some patients have medical conditions that place them at high risk for carotid endarterectomy.”

For these patients, a new procedure called Transcarotid Arterial Revascularization (TCAR) is now available. During the procedure, a McLeod Vascular Surgeon (Dr. Christopher Cunningham, Dr. Carmen Piccolo, Dr. Eva Rzucidlo, Dr. Joshua Sibille or Dr. Gabor Winkler) makes a very small, one-inch incision by the collarbone to gain access to the blocked artery while the patient is under local anesthesia.

“Candidates for this procedure would be patients who have a tight narrowing of the artery to their brain or who have had a previous stroke,” said Dr. Cunningham. “TCAR is also a more viable option for patients who have medical conditions that would prohibit them from undergoing an open procedure like the carotid endarterectomy.”

To divert any dangerous debris that may break loose during the procedure, the blood flow in the carotid artery is temporarily reversed. A soft, flexible tube, placed directly into the carotid artery, connects to a filter system that directs the blood flow away from the brain and captures fragments of plaque that may come loose during the procedure. The blood is filtered and returned through a second tube placed in the patient’s thigh.

This filter system also allows stenting to be performed to clear the blockage in the carotid during the blood flow reversal process. A stent, a tiny mesh wire tube, implanted inside the carotid artery, stabilizes the blocked area. The stent stays in the artery permanently to hold the artery open. After securing the stent, the filter system is removed and blood flow to the brain resumes its normal direction.

“Recovery time for this procedure is short since the incision is so small,” said Dr. Cunningham. “Because we repair the artery to the brain it is a serious procedure, but from a recovery standpoint, really very minor. It only requires an overnight stay in the hospital and most patients return to their normal activities within a week.”

After the TCAR technology underwent testing and clinical trials, the results were so powerful that the FDA approved and released it to programs like the McLeod Heart and Vascular Institute, who have an established Carotid Stenting Program and serve as members of the Vascular Quality Initiative for South Carolina. Being part of a quality initiative means McLeod compares the results of all of its vascular cases with its peers both regionally and nationally.

“We were fortunate to have been selected as the first class of surgeons in South Carolina to complete the FDA training,” added Dr. Cunningham. “TCAR is available to patients in the region at McLeod Regional Medical Center and McLeod Seacoast. My partners and I are pleased to be a part of a healthcare system that cares about staying abreast of cutting edge technology to offer our patients the best in stroke and vascular care.”

 

 

 

 

Coach Nelson

When the unexpected happens, you need a strong team behind you. No one knows that more than Charlie Nelson, a retired teacher and tennis coach in Florence. What started as a feeling of pressure and back pain, quickly became a matter of life or death. Coach Nelson went to the nearest emergency department where tests revealed a tear in his aorta, resulting in critical blood supplies being cut off from major organs. The McLeod HeartReach ambulance quickly transported him to McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, where Dr. Christopher Cunningham, a top McLeod Vascular Surgeon, went to work. Using x-ray imaging, Dr. Cunningham skillfully guided a catheter through the artery and sealed the tear with a stent graft. Thankfully, when Coach Nelson was in the match of his life, our vascular expertise served up the healthcare ace he needed.

Patsy Simmons

Pasty knew something was wrong when she couldn’t catch her breath and walk the forty yards to her beloved garden. Shortly after, Patsy experienced a heavy chest and was rushed to McLeod Loris where doctors determined she had suffered a heart attack. Patsy’s condition required critical attention and the skilled team at McLeod Loris quickly transferred her to McLeod Regional Medical Center, where renowned McLeod Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Scot Schultz told Patsy she required a quadruple bypass. Utilizing the latest techniques and leading edge technology, Dr. Schultz and his team skillfully performed the complex bypass and had Patsy up walking the very next day.

“To all of my physicians and nurses at McLeod, I’ve never had such wonderful care from any other hospital. Thank you for giving me a second chance at life,” said Patsy. Today, the only thing taking Patsy’s breath away is her beautiful garden.

Mike Cullipher

By Tammy White

The average person is often unable to tell when their heart goes into atrial fibrillation. In Mike Cullipher’s case, he said he always knew when those 15 to 30 second rapid heart beating episodes occurred. The Mullins resident began seeing McLeod Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Anil Om for the treatment of atrial fibrillation in 2001.

Atrial fibrillation, also called AF or A-Fib, is one of the most common irregular heart rhythms. An abnormality of the electrical system of the heart, A-Fib is a rapid beating of the upper chambers of the heart, which prevents the heart from pumping blood adequately to the lower chambers.

People who suffer from atrial fibrillation may experience heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, faintness, and mild to severe chest pains.

“Many patients also experience feelings of weakness or fatigue, caused by the heart’s diminished pumping ability,” explained Dr. Rajesh Malik, a McLeod Electrophysiologist.

Over the next fifteen years, Mike’s condition was managed through medication and eventually an ablation, a procedure to correct heart rhythm problems. Performed in the same manner as a heart catheterization, an ablation delivers heat, cold or radio energy through the groin to destroy the tissue that triggers the abnormal rhythms.

The ablation worked for a short time but ultimately Mike’s atrial fibrillation returned. In 2015, he was referred by Dr. Om to Dr. Malik.

“Dr. Malik informed me that at this point in my life my heart was in persistent A-Fib -- meaning all the time,” said Mike. “It was like my heart was running a marathon.”

A healthy heart beats between 60 and 90 times per minute. In A-Fib the upper chambers of the heart can fibrillate up to 500 times a minute. Because the heart is beating so fast and irregularly, the heart’s pumping action does not work properly when the pumping does not function correctly, the blood will not completely empty from the chambers making the blood more likely to pool and to clot. If a clot pumps out of the heart, it can travel to the brain, resulting in a stroke.

“People who have atrial fibrillation are five times more likely to have a stroke than people who do not have this condition,” said Dr. Malik.

“When my wife Sharon and I met with Dr. Malik, he shared with us that there have been very few patients in his medical career whose irregular heart rhythms he could not correct,” said Mike “I was one of those patients. He was determined to get my heart back in normal rhythm. His resolve gave me confidence that he was going to be dedicated in helping me achieve it.”

Dr. Malik believed Mike’s best chance of recovery was the MAZE procedure.

The MAZE procedure is a surgical intervention for heart patients whose atrial fibrillation cannot be controlled by medications or for those who are undergoing open-heart surgery for other reasons. MAZE cures A-Fib by interrupting the electrical patterns that are responsible for the irregular heartbeat.

With the MAZE procedure, a McLeod Cardiothoracic Surgeon uses a radiofrequency probe to burn lesion areas in the heart tissue without damaging the heart. These lesions, placed in strategic areas of the upper chambers of the heart, generate scar tissue that redirect the electrical pattern so the heart can pump in a normal way.

In December 2015, McLeod Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. S. Cary Huber performed the MAZE procedure on Mike. Because his case was so complex, Dr. Malik assisted Dr. Huber in the operating room.

“With cases like Mike’s, after I have completed the MAZE ablation, Dr. Malik will perform inter-operative electrical mapping. During this procedure, Dr. Malik inserts a specially designed catheter into the heart to test the electrical activity where the irregular arrhythmia was occurring to ensure that the ablation was successful,” explained Dr. Huber.

“Dr. Huber told me I could expect my heart to continue to have A-Fib episodes after the surgery while it was recovering,” said Mike. “One week after returning home I felt the moment my heart went back into a normal rhythm, and it has never gone back out since then.

“I am amazed at how much this surgery has changed my quality of life. The atrial fibrillation kept me from enjoying my favorite past times like hunting and fishing. My wife and I are also big supporters of our four grandchildren at all of their sporting games. Unfortunately, I had to miss most of their games because my health would not allow it,” said Mike.

Mike is also a member of the 2nd Chance Ministries gospel quartet. Prior to the MAZE procedure, he did not have the breath to sing and had to stop performing. Today, Mike is happy to report that he is back on the road again with the group.

“I am very thankful to Dr. Om, Dr. Malik and Dr. Huber for being those instruments in God’s hands that not only changed my life but saved it,” said Mike. “Throughout the many office visits and bedside care in the hospital, I found a sincere compassion from them that I will never forget.

“They had a strong determination to ‘help me get better’ even in light of a case that was as difficult as mine. And, they ALWAYS had words of encouragement. I am forever grateful to each one of them. I love them for caring about me. I cannot say enough about the great team at McLeod,” added Mike.

For patients like Mike, the McLeod Heart and Vascular Institute provides the most comprehensive and sophisticated heart care for patients from the midlands to the coast. Dedicated to extraordinary cardiovascular care, McLeod is one of the top hospitals in the nation for cardiac and vascular care, according to the most recent hospital ratings by Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. These top honors include the 2016 Cardiac Care Excellence Award, 2016 Coronary Intervention Excellence Award and Top 5% in the Nation for Cardiology Services.

 

 

Randy Rouse

By Rachel T. Gainey

It was a Tuesday unlike any other for Randy Rouse, a native of Dillon, South Carolina. He describes February 23, 2016 as a “regular workday.” After leaving work, Randy attended rehearsal at the Performing Arts Center in Florence, South Carolina, where he plays the trumpet with the Francis Marion University Concert Band.

He arrived at his home in Latta around nine in the evening. As he sat in the driveway, Randy was gathering his instrument and backpack, along with a few things from work.

“I did not notice anything out of the ordinary until I got out of the car,” recalled Randy.“I was having trouble getting my items organized to bring into the house. I believe that was the beginning and first noticeable symptom of the stroke I experienced.

“I could not seem to get my things together, so I decided to take half of the items in and then go back for the remainder.”

The symptoms and confusion continued to worsen as Randy attempted to open the door to his house

“When I got to the door, I remember trying several keys in the lock to unlock the door. At the time, this did not strike me as odd. By that point, my mind was totally disorganized in its thought process,” said Randy. “Not once did I think ‘I have to put the right key in the door.’ Luckily, I could see my wife, Debra, through the window talking on the phone.”

Debra, who would have normally been upstairs at that time of night, was downstairs in the kitchen talking to their son. She noticed Randy was having trouble entering so she came to open the door.

Randy recalled the interaction they had, “She spoke to me, but when I spoke back to her my speech was beginning to slur. Debra immediately called 911. Within a few minutes, a police officer came by to check on me and the ambulance arrived shortly.

“I remember the ambulance ride completely,” said Randy. “During the ride, I started experiencing problems on my right side. My right hand and arm went numb, but I was not experiencing any pain. I had an overwhelming sensation that things were just slowing down. Shortly after arriving at the McLeod Dillon Emergency Department (ED), I began to feel nauseated, and I got sick.”

There was a quick response by the emergency providers awaiting Randy’s arrival in the ED. “The last thing I remember about that night was the staff rushing to care for me after one of the tests showed bleeding on my brain,” said Randy

The calm of the emergency technicians in the ambulance, the speed of the receiving nurse at the McLeod Dillon ED door, the responsiveness of all the nurses and staff, and the processes that were followed mimicked “a symphony of care” for Randy that evening.

“This was a frightening experience for my wife as she stayed by my side and began to understand the severity of the stroke,” said Randy. “Debra was comforted by the genuine compassion and care shown by those caring for me that night. She found confidence in their reassurance and communication about quick, lifesaving decisions that were being made. She knew they were making choices that were best for me.”

All of the medical professionals involved in Randy’s care after that point credited his superlative, positive outcome to the treatment he received emergently in the McLeod Dillon ED.

Randy is the Part Owner and Station Manager for HomeTown TV8 in addition to the Financial Administrator and Media Pastor for Dillon Church of God. Steve Johnson, Vice President of Operations and Advertising and also Part Owner of HomeTown TV8, was shocked when Randy was back at work on Monday -- only days later.

“I could not believe as critical as he was less than a week before that he had recovered to the point of returning to work,” said Steve. “We know that the care and intervention he received in Dillon was the reason his symptoms disappeared almost as quickly as they had appeared. I am grateful for the lifesaving services and high quality medical care McLeod Dillon provides.”

Randy worked limited hours the following week as he continued to rest and regain his strength.

Today, Randy is under the care of his primary care physician, Dr. Granville Vance at Dillon Family Medicine.

“I still notice a little forgetfulness here and there,” admitted Randy. “Dr. Vance has explained that my memory will continue to improve over the next few months.”

Going forward, Randy is taking medication that will better control his high blood pressure, which was a contributing factor to his stroke. “I am blessed and highly favored,” added Randy.

 

Teresa Ward

By Arielle Williams

On May 10, 2016, Teresa Ward traveled to her job at First Bank in Cheraw, South Carolina, where she has been a customer service representative for 15 years. The work day progressed like any other day, with one difference -- Teresa began to notice that she was having shortness of breath and a general lack of energy.

When she arrived home from work, Teresa lay down on the couch to rest. “My son, Brian, was home by that time. He immediately sensed something was wrong with me, and that I was not myself,” said Teresa. “He kept insisting that I go to the hospital. I had suffered a heart attack in 2013, and he feared that I was experiencing the very same warning signs.”

A nursing student at Northeastern Technical College, Brian continued to push Teresa to go to the hospital throughout the evening. She refused, believing she would begin to feel better. A few hours later when Brian heard Teresa panting for air and struggling to breathe, he made the decision to quickly transport her to the Emergency Department (ED) at McLeod Health Cheraw.

On the way, Brian called the Emergency Department and communicated Teresa’s condition, medical history, current medications and how far away they were from the hospital. Upon arrival at McLeod Health Cheraw, the ED team was ready and waiting to begin treatment.

Teresa was unresponsive and barely breathing when she arrived at the hospital. She had a faint pulse and within seconds was in respiratory and cardiac arrest. The ED team of Dr. Foy Connell, Mike Hutson, RN; Tonya Blackwell, RN; and Respiratory Therapist Sherman Manning, performed CPR and intubated Teresa so a ventilator could be placed to assist with her breathing. Minutes later, Teresa entered into pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia. The team had to shock her heart twice with a defibrillator to restore the heart’s rhythm. Once stabilized, Teresa was transported to the Intensive Care Unit for monitoring.

“Immediately, prayer requests poured in from churches all over Chesterfield and Marlboro counties through social media, my church family and friends,” recalls Teresa. “The news of my condition went to all the right people at exactly the right time.”

The next day, Teresa was transferred to McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, South Carolina, for a heart catheterization procedure. After she arrived, physicians began to wean her from the sedation and ventilator. She slowly became conscious of her surroundings and began to breathe on her own.

McLeod Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Brian Wall performed Teresa’s heart catheterization. During the procedure, Dr. Wall placed a stent in the left anterior descending artery of Teresa’s heart to open the blocked area.

On May 14, Dr. Rajesh Malik, a McLeod Electrophysiologist, delivered the news to the family that the heart attack had severely damaged Teresa’s heart muscle. Her ejection fraction, the measurement of how well the heart pumps with each beat, was only 20 to 25 percent, where an average ejection fraction is 55 to 60 percent.

Dr. Malik explained to Teresa that she would need to wear a LifeVest, which is a defibrillator worn by patients at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. The LifeVest provides protection by continuously monitoring the patient’s heart and, if a life-threatening heart rhythm is detected, the device delivers a treatment shock to restore normal heart rhythm.

It also allows the patient’s physician time to assess their long-term arrhythmic risk and determine if an implantable defibrillator is needed.

“I was completely devastated by the news, but my faith remained strong. I know that God has miracles for every one of us, if only we believe and receive them,” said Teresa. “Faith as big as a mustard seed is all that is required for a miracle, and I had just the right amount of faith.”

That evening, Teresa and her family and friends prayed for her healing. By the time she fell asleep that night, she was at peace, comforted by her faith and ready to face the outcomes ahead.

The next morning, Teresa had a second echocardiogram performed in preparation for the LifeVest. During the test, Teresa noticed that the technician appeared surprised by what she was seeing. When Teresa asked what caused her concern, the technician said that something looked very different from the last one she performed, and that Dr. Malik would need to speak with her about it.

Teresa recalls that when Dr. Malik walked in her room he had a huge smile on his face. “He told me, ‘Somebody has been praying in here and God has heard their prayers. This is amazing news. The echocardiogram indicates that your ejection fraction improved significantly. We have never seen such an improvement so quickly at this hospital; this is truly a miracle.’” This outcome meant Teresa would no longer be required to wear the LifeVest once she was discharged from the hospital

On June 7, Teresa had a follow-up appointment with her primary care physician, Dr. Alex Newsom at Cheraw Family Medicine. After a thorough examination, Dr. Newsom gave her a good report and emphasized the importance of properly taking her medication. He also prescribed cardiac rehabilitation for monitored exercise to strengthen her heart, and reminded her to seek immediate medical care if she experienced any warning signs of a heart attack.

Teresa has been maintaining her good health and following her doctor’s orders. She exercises three times a week at McLeod Cardiac Rehabilitation and in early August, she was able to return to work at the bank.

Impressed with all of the medical staff at McLeod Health Cheraw, Teresa said, “Their compassion and attentiveness to my needs have comforted me every time I have been in the hospital.”

Dr. Gabe Simpson, an Emergency Medicine physician, Medical Director of the McLeod Cheraw Emergency Department and Chief of Staff for McLeod Health Cheraw said, “Quite simply, God is the only one who can give healing and we have asked Him to make us healers and to make this Emergency Department and this hospital a place of healing. I watch Him heal in this ED every day. Teresa is further proof of this and we thank God for saving her life and for letting us be a part of her healing.”

Dr. Simpson explained that the Cheraw Emergency Department has upgraded to the latest GE cardiac monitoring, “enabling us to provide better care for critically ill patients. We also have plans in place to expand our ED, building a larger state-of-the-art facility to better serve our patients in times of crisis.

“I am grateful for the dedication of our ED physicians, nurses and staff to our patients. I know how hard they work and witness firsthand their willingness to learn even more to become providers of excellent emergency care. When the people of Chesterfield and Marlboro Counties, like Teresa, need emergency care our goal is t o provide the best care possible,” added Dr. Simpson.

“We are truly blessed as a community to have the excellence of McLeod Health right here in our own neighborhood,” said Teresa.

Today, she encourages people to know their family history, listen to their doctor and take their prescribed medication consistently.

“Heart attacks do not discriminate,” said Teresa. “I am fortunate that I survived my heart attack. I feel better today than I have in a long time thanks to the excellent medical care I received and my participation in cardiac rehabilitation.”

Paul Winter

By Jennifer Hulon

A fast car and motorcycle enthusiast, Paul Winter loves life. For years, he’s had the opportunity to teach others the skills of racing. These days, he especially enjoys the great outdoors, including big game fishing.

A diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease ultimately affected Paul’s joy of racing. This condition occurs when clusters of noncancerous cysts develop within the kidneys. Diagnosed in 2000, Paul’s kidneys slowly deteriorated over the next ten years resulting in his need for dialysis. Patients require dialysis when the kidneys cannot filter blood, remove waste, toxins and excess fluid.

Dialysis is a process using a hemodialyzer (artificial kidney) that mimics the function of a normal kidney. An Arterial Venous Fistula, a surgical joining of an artery and vein allowing blood flow from the artery to the vein, was placed in Paul’s arm to provide safe access for dialysis to be administered. Having dialysis three times a week, Paul needed sufficient arterial access to accommodate the dialysis’ large gauge needles.

A fistula offers the least amount of infection risk and lasts longer than other dialysis-related procedures.

Eventually, Paul developed aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the large blood vessel branching off of the heart. He was informed that the high blood flow in his dialysis fistula contributed to this heart condition.

At the end of 2015, Paul underwent heart surgery during which his dialysis access fistula was ligated, or closed off. A venous catheter was placed in his shoulder to provide access for his dialysis treatments. Long-term use of a venous catheter can lead to infection, and the simple inconvenience and lack of comfort was challenging for Paul.

“The past-times I enjoyed were realistically no longer things I could do. My health had deteriorated drastically in such a short period of time,” said Paul.

During a dialysis session in early 2016, Paul’s nephrologist in Supply, North Carolina, Dr. Sivanthan Balachandran, discussed an option with Paul of having the catheter removed.

Dr. Balachandran recommended that Paul see Dr. David Bjerken with McLeod Vascular Associates in Little River, South Carolina. Dr. Bjerken specializes in dialysis access creation and revision. Paul was interested in learning more about Dr. Bjerken and what he could offer.

“My research indicated that Dr. Bjerken was highly respected and qualified for my case, so I made an appointment with him,” said Paul.

“When Paul came to see me he was in a wheelchair and had a venous catheter in place for his dialysis treatments,” said Dr. Bjerken. “In my career, Paul’s condition was one of the more challenging cases I have treated. There were some lingering effects from his pre-existing fistula. I knew I could find a way to repair his vein, but it would be difficult. I had to be creative in surgically repairing the compromised areas.

“It involved a very complex reconstruction to allow immediate use of the fistula as well as removal of the catheter and relief from its associated dangers.”

“Dr. Bjerken is an artist,” said Paul. “I came to him hoping he would be able to offer me a solution for the vein in my right arm. This procedure was tricky, and I knew it was going to take a doctor with the appropriate training to repair the fistula and create a new pathway for my dialysis access. To locate a doctor that specializes in dialysis reconstruction is incredible, especially so close to my home.

“I was pleased with the quick result of this procedure,” said Dr. Bjerken. “The severity of Paul’s condition from his first appointment to where he is now, reflects the positive effects of this reconstruction.”

“The efficiency of McLeod Seacoast also made my experience seamless,” added Paul. “The wonderful, well organized staff was comforting. This area is very fortunate to have this level of expertise available to them.

“Thanks to Dr. Bjerken I can now enjoy the things that I once found fulfilling that eluded me for a period of time. I would recommend McLeod Seacoast and Dr. Bjerken to anyone.”