Mother/Son Patients Seek Penn Expertise
Valentine's Day has a special place in the heart of Joseph McIntosh... literally. On February 14, 2002, this Downingtown resident underwent an eight-hour surgery in which his aortic valve and aortic root were replaced. The complicated procedure was performed at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS).
While working for the phone company in 2001, Joseph noticed what he thought was just elevated blood pressure. He purchased a blood pressure monitor from his local pharmacy and discovered his blood pressure reading was 170/82, compared to a normal reading of 120/80. His local cardiologist diagnosed Joseph with a leaky heart valve and said that it was not a major concern at this time.
Joseph sought a second opinion from Susan C. Brozena, MD, in the UPHS heart failure/transplant division. When asked why he chose Penn for a second opinion, Joseph simply shrugged his shoulders and said: “I wanted the best cardiologist in the country… if not the world.”
Dr. Brozena ordered an MRI which revealed an enlarged aorta, at risk of rupture. According to Dr. Brozena, Joseph had a congenitally abnormal aortic valve, meaning he had this heart defect since birth. Joseph was scheduled for immediate surgery to replace the aortic valve and aortic root. The surgery was performed by Michael A. Acker, MD, chief of cardiovascular surgery at HUP.
Six months later, Joseph McIntosh returned to “full duty” with the phone company. Once again, he is climbing telephone poles, carrying tools and ladders, and jumping the occasional fence to escape a dog. He is so pleased with his results, he recently sent his mother, Eleanor, to see Dr. Brozena. An 87-year-old East Lansdowne resident, she has also had her share of heart problems – heart valve disease runs in the McIntosh family.
In Eleanor's case, natural aging was the cause of congestive heart failure, heart rhythm problems and high blood pressure. Dr. Brozena and her staff also discovered high cumulin levels. Fortunately, medication brought Eleanor's heart issues under control and she has been able to maintain her independent lifestyle. A one-time volunteer at the local senior center, Eleanor still walks two to three times a week for exercise and enjoys traveling. Many senior citizens have reservations about living alone, but not Eleanor. She maintains, “I'm 87 years old and I feel great. They don't like me living alone, but I love it!”
Eleanor and Joseph had similar experiences with Dr. Brozena and the UPHS cardiovascular division. Eleanor recounts: “I bonded with her (Dr. Brozena) immediately. All I have to do is call and any questions I have will be answered…If I go to the hospital for a blood test, someone will call me the same day with results and direction.”
Joseph couldn't agree more. He says of Dr. Brozena: “If you have an 8:30 am appointment, she'll be there at 8:30 am. She relates on your level and gives you peace of mind... when she's with you, she has only one patient.”
Dr. Brozena emphasizes that the division's success is the result of an extraordinary multi-disciplinary team: “Our nurses have great influence in patient education and teaching, good health habits, medical follow-up needed, explanation of side effects and what to expect. Social workers are available for consultation, advice, counseling and communication of programs.”
Dr. Brozena expresses pride in Penn's cardiovascular medicine expertise and explains how Joseph and Eleanor McIntosh illustrate the range of heart treatment available: “Both Eleanor and Joseph suffered from aortic valve disease, but while Eleanor's condition was brought on by natural aging, Joseph's faulty valve was a congenital abnormality. We treat the whole spectrum of aortic diseases and conditions.”
This Valentine's Day, you will find the McIntosh's celebrating the human heart a bit differently than the rest of the world. While most folks express love or lament over heartache, Joseph and Eleanor can't help but smile every time they hear the song “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.”
|
