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It was another ordinary Christmas Eve for Santa Clarita resident Robert Lundgren, until the chest pains, shortness of breath and dizziness occurred. “My wife was out of town, and it was just me and our nine dogs,” states Robert, a breeder of champion Yorkshire terriers. “I called my wife, and she urged me to go to the emergency room.” Robert didn’t heed to the warning signs as promptly as he should have. In fact, he delayed going to the emergency room until all the dogs were fed and taken care of. “When I finally made it to the hospital, my pain was worse…I could feel this heavy pulsing, like an old chugging engine, stuttering uphill.” Robert sought the help of the physicians in the emergency room at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. “The people in the ER did a great job caring for me, and were constantly trying to keep my lagging spirits up,” states Robert. “The doctors told me I needed open heart surgery, but given the condition I was in, it was determined I was too high risk for surgery.” In comes Dr. Jack Patterson, Senior Interventional Cardiologist at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. Dr. Patterson has been in the medical field for close to 50 years. “Our cardiology group, Cardiovascular Consulting Medical Group, came to Henry Mayo approximately 15 years ago, to provide comprehensive adult cardio vascular care.” “Dr. Patterson recommended an intra-aortic cardiac balloon pump,” states Robert. “He assured me I wouldn’t need surgery, and that I would definitely feel much better afterwards.” An intra-aortic balloon pump is a machine that helps the heart pump blood throughout the body and used when the heart cannot pump enough blood on its own. The chugging feeling that Robert was experiencing when he first entered the ER was beginning to get heavier. “It was like the engine was having a harder time running,” explains Robert. Dr. Patterson proceeded to hook his patient up to the heart machine. “I was awake during the whole procedure,” states Robert. “I could see my heart pulsating through the monitor as the doctor was inserting the balloon. Once he found the right spot, Dr. Patterson said, ‘Let’s do it’. Once the doctor inflated the balloon, that old chugging engine in my chest became a purring machine…like a new Ferrari.” “For cardiologists,” states Dr. Patterson, “there’s nothing more satisfying than saving the life of a patient having a heart attack. That’s what keeps us going.” Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital has been serving the Santa Clarita Valley since 1975. The 238-bed not for profit acute care hospital has since expanded its Cardiovascular Services to meet the needs of the community and its patients. “Since I have been at the hospital, I have seen the implementation of high quality standards in the cardiovascular department, and a highly skilled and experienced team has been developed in the cath lab,” states Dr. Patterson. “The team has already demonstrated the ability to handle complex and difficult clinical cases, and has delivered high quality patient care.” Some of the cardiac services the hospital offers include a full spectrum of adult cardiac services from screening and education, to diagnosis, intervention, open-heart surgery and cardiac rehabilitation, percutaneous coronary interventions, open heart surgery (coronary artery bypass grafts), electrophysiology and more. “The entire experience at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital was excellent,” states Robert. “From start of my stay to my departure a few days later. The staff in the ER reassured me and lifted my spirits. The nurses made it a point to check on me even after their shifts had ended. And of course I won’t forget the hugs I received from my nurses on the day I left. I couldn’t imagine any better treatment. I am so grateful to Henry Mayo – and especially to Dr. Patterson. They truly gave me the gift of life last Christmas.” Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital is located at 23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355-2083. For more information, visit www.henrymayo.com or call 661-253-8000.
photos by Joie de Vivre Photographie |
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