Read the patient stories below and see how the Inova Heart and Vascular Institute has made a difference in the lives of people just like you, everyday.
Atrial fibrillation / Maze procedure
Patient Story: Tony Cynrnak
Tony Cyrnak, 65, lived with atrial fibrillation for about 10 years. It was discovered by happenstance when he repeatedly found himself out of breath climbing the stairs at home. As someone who played ice hockey and basketball routinely, this was particularly odd for Tony. He mentioned it to his physician-wife, who listened to her husband's heartbeat and immediately suspected atrial fibrillation.
Her diagnosis was confirmed by a cardiologist. Thankfully, the structure of Tony's heart and all other aspects of its functionality were intact. Diagnosed with persistent atrial fibrillation, Tony began taking medication and went back to his regular routines, including his involvement in many sports.
Tony says he "always knew when an episode was starting and that over time, the afib would get worse." In recent years, his episodes went from once a month, to once a week, to 2-3 times a week. That's when, after much research, Tony underwent a minimally invasive Maze procedure with Dr. Niv Ad, which cured him of atrial fibrillation.
"I went for a consultation with Dr. Ad four years ago, and another one last summer. I did a tremendous amount of research about the various treatment options and ultimately decided to go with the gold standard - surgery," Tony says. The experience went very smoothly. After three nights in the hospital, Tony returned home and has been in constant sinus rhythm for 9 months now. On top of that, Tony is back to playing ice hockey three times a week and with the summer approaching, will be back on the whitewaters in his kayak.
"Dr. Ad and the Maze procedure allowed me to get my life back."
Inova Heart and Vascular Institute continues to have one of the largest and most effective surgical Maze programs in the nation. Our experience includes more than 600 operations in the last six years, more than 200 of which were stand-alone Maze procedures.
In addition, all patients can participate in a life-long follow-up registry. The study and its findings are nationally recognized as providing surgeons with critical information about post-surgical quality of life.
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Heart Failure
Patient testimonial: Jean Green
Nearly three years ago, then 57-year-old Jean Green went to her primary care physician because she didn’t feel well. Seeing signs of an infection, Jean’s doctor prescribed antibiotics and expected her to recover quickly. Surprisingly, three days later Jean’s feet were so swollen they had doubled in size. An echo revealed an ejection fraction of just 13. The infection had taken its toll - Jean was in heart failure.
At first, Jean was treated with heart failure medication. However, after being in and out of the hospital nine times, her physician referred her to the Advanced Heart Failure Program at Inova Heart and Vascular Institute. Hesitant to make the long drive from Southern Maryland, Jean went anyway and “instantly knew this was where I needed to be treated. Everyone there is so wonderful and they all care about each person.” Jean saw Shashank Desai, director of the Heart Failure Program, and was immediately admitted. “Dr. Desai told me I needed a heart transplant and I was sure that if that happened, I would die. Then, I met Dr. Burton and I started to feel that between these two doctors, I was in safe hands,” says Jean.
Dr. Burton told Jean that in order to survive even a few months, she needed a ventricular assist device (VAD). The surgery took place in November and Jean was home in time for Christmas. “I couldn’t believe how this little device Dr. Burton put inside of me made me feel so much better so quickly,” says Jean. Now, Jean is looking forward to the day when her pager goes off and it is her turn to receive a new heart, saying she knows she can feel great and look good again.
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Heart transplant
Patient story: Diana Plummer
A diagnosis of cardiomyopathy didn't stop 70-year-old Diana Plummer from being an avid tennis player. But when her tennis partner mentioned that she was more and more "off her game" and seemed to be having trouble with balance -- and her husband agreed -- Diana knew she might be getting sicker. An appointment with her cardiologist shoed that her ejection fraction was poor. Diana was referred to the Inova Heart and Vascular Institute's Advanced Heart Failure Therapy Program.
Over time, Diana became weaker and less coherent. In April 2009 she was placed on the heart transplant list. Over the next several months she spent a lot of time at doctor's appointments and says she "knew that all of my doctors, nurses and transplant team members were giving me the best care. I have great confidence in all of my doctors -- I do what they tell me." Diana received her new heart on August 13, 2009, and went home just 11 days later.
Now, Diana attends cardiac rehabilitation twice a week, and enjoys long walks and spending time with her grandchildren. "The whole thing was a miracle," she says. "Someone upstairs was watching over me."
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Mitral valve disease
Patient Story: Richard Casale
Richard Casale, 58, knew he had mitral valve prolapse for many years, but it wasn’t something he thought about regularly. That is, until early 2010 when he began to experience chest pain and shortness of breath, especially while exercising. When these symptoms increased to the point of restricting his regular work outs, Rich knew it was time to see his cardiologist.
A stress test, EKG and echocardiogram indicated that Rich had severe mitral regurgitation and a dilated left ventricle. Surgery was needed to repair his damaged mitral valve. Rich was referred to Paul Massimiano, MD at Inova Heart and Vascular Institute because of his experience performing minimally invasive mitral valve repairs. “We looked into other operations and traveling to another center,” says Rich. “But there was no need. The best possible operative technique was close to home.”
Dr. Massimiano repaired Rich’s mitral valve through a small incision on his right side. He was home from the hospital in two days and back at work just four weeks later.
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Thoracic surgery
Patient Story: Robert Edward Smallwood
Retired Army Colonel Edward Smallwood was stationed in Afghanistan for a total of 30 months before his recent retirement. About three months before returning home, he began to notice a “hanging” sensation whenever he swallowed, along with occasional indigestion.
Once home, Ed saw his primary care physician who suggested he first change his diet. When that did not improve his symptoms, Ed was referred to a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy. That test revealed both Barrett’s Esophagus and stage III esophageal cancer.
Ed underwent six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. During this he time, he met with Daniel Fortes, MD for surgical consultation. “I didn’t want anything sugar coated, I wanted all the facts, and that’s what Dr. Fortes gave me,” says Ed. “He drew me a picture of how the procedure would be performed, explained the advantages of robotic versus open surgery, and told me what to expect after the operation.”
Ed was a candidate for robotic surgery and successfully underwent an esophagogastrectomy using this approach. The tumor was removed and eight months later, he says his scars are so small they are barely visible. “Dr. Fortes and his colleagues are continuing to perfect performing surgery through small incisions. This technology just makes sense because it so much less demanding on the patient’s body,” says Ed.
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Valve surgery
Patient story: Sherri Hendry
Sherri Hendry was born with a deformed mitral valve, but didn’t spend much time worrying about it. “I never had any symptoms and my doctors mostly ignored it,” says the 44-year-old Gaithersburg, MD, resident.
It was only when preparing for cataract surgery a few years ago that she was diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation and monitored by a cardiologist.
Initially, the leak was mild. But when it suddenly escalated from moderate to severe in less than six months, her cardiologist referred her to Paul Massimiano, MD, who recommended she have surgery immediately to repair it.
After an exhaustive Internet search of her options, Hendry knew exactly what she wanted: minimally invasive surgery. And she knew where she wanted it: Inova Heart and Vascular Institute.
In January, Dr. Massimiano performed a minimally invasive mitral valve repair, making a two-inch incision through her right side and successfully fixing the leak. Hendry was up and walking the next morning, and left the hospital just two days later.
“It was such a positive experience,” she says. “Dr. Massimiano did an amazing job. My scar is tiny, I only took half a pain pill, and I’ve had a very fast recovery in every respect.”
Hendry was driving and cooking a week after she returned home, began cardiac rehabilitation four weeks following surgery, and returned to her job as a crime analyst for the Rockville City Police Department two weeks after that.
She and her husband are “in awe” of everything at Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, from the compassionate nurses and technicians who cared for her, to the welcoming environment — even the food!
“Nobody wants heart surgery,” Hendry says. “But if you have to have it done, go to Inova."
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