Fremont, CA., April 1, 2014 - Christine Ortiz, 59 of Union City, is one
of the first patients in the Bay Area to receive a new unique cardiac
device known as a Subcutaneous ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator).
Her life nearly came to an end after she suffered what is known as sudden
cardiac arrest (SCA), a condition where the heart suddenly and unexpectedly
stops beating. Without rapid medical attention, a person can die within
a few minutes. The incident occurred while Ms. Ortiz, who is the proud
grandmother to six grandchildren, was watching her grandson’s high
school wrestling match. Thanks to a quick assessment by the school’s
wrestling coach and a Washington Hospital athletic trainer, Ms. Ortiz
was resuscitated by emergency responders and transferred to Washington
Hospital; an Alameda County designated cardiac receiving facility. Upon
arrival, she was placed under the care of Washington Hospital cardiac
electrophysiologist Dr. Sanjay Bindra, who was involved in early studies
when the device was in development. Not only was the life of Ms. Ortiz
saved, but as a result of this new, revolutionary device, she is already
resuming a normal life and is protected from another, potentially deadly
episode of sudden cardiac arrest.
The recently FDA approved Boston Scientific S-ICD® System is the world’s
first and only commercially available subcutaneous implantable defibrillator
(S-ICD) for the treatment of patients at risk for sudden cardiac arrest
(SCA). The S-ICD System is designed to provide the same protection from
SCA as traditional ICDs; however the S-ICD System sits entirely just below
the skin without the need for thin, insulated wires — known as electrodes
or ‘leads’ — to be placed into the heart. This leaves
the heart and blood vessels untouched, offering physicians and patients
an alternative treatment to traditional ICDs and fewer potential long-term
complications.
“This new device is a major leap forward in the treatment of patients
like Christine,” said Dr. Bindra. “Because there are no wires
into the heart with this device, the risk of infection and wear on the
wires, which is an issue with traditional ICDs, is not a factor.”
For younger patients, those with cardiac electrical disorders or prior
infection complications, the S-ICD is invaluable.
Among first in Bay Area to implant lifesaving device
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Traditional ICDs are placed in the chest, beneath the collarbone. Wires
from the device run through a large vein along the collarbone and attach
to the heart. Shock from the ICD travels through those wires, directly
shocking the heart. Since the wires run through a vein, it's easy
for bacteria on the wires to spread throughout the body via the bloodstream.
Without leads directly into the heart, the S-ICD treats SCA like a paramedic
treats a patient with the external cardiac paddles, without touching the
heart or blood vessels thereby reducing the opportunity for complications
from infection. In Ms. Ortiz’s case, because of predisposition to
infection, the SICD was the only type of implantable device for which
she was a candidate.
Across the country, about 350,000 people die annually from sudden cardiac
arrest or about one person every 90 seconds. According to Dr. Bindra,
Ms. Ortiz not only benefited from Washington Hospital’s designation
as a cardiac receiving center, but the Hospital is also designated as
a receiving center for those who suffer from this condition, which means
that Hospital staff have the proper training and follow specific protocols
to most effectively treat patients who suffer from SCA.
When SCA occurs, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs
and causes death if it's not treated within minutes. Recent estimates
show that approximately 850,000 people in the United States are at risk
of SCA and could benefit from an ICD device, but remain unprotected. “This
new device gives Christine security so that if she suffers from the same
event in the future, she will be protected,” said Dr. Bindra. “I
expect her to have a full and productive life and I’m pleased to
be able to offer these devices as an option to my patients.” For
more information about Washington Hospital’s Cardiovascular Services,
please visit whhs.com/heart.
About Washington Township Health Care District
Washington Township Health Care District is governed by an elected board
of directors. Unlike a municipal or county hospital, Washington Hospital’s
operating expenses, research, community programs, and employee salaries
are funded by revenues generated through providing patient and other health
care services. Washington Hospital Healthcare System includes a 353-bed
acutecare hospital; the Taylor McAdam Bell Neuroscience Institute; The
Gamma Knife® Center; Washington Radiation Oncology Center; Washington
Outpatient Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient Rehabilitation Center;
Washington Outpatient Catheterization Laboratory; Washington Institute
for Joint Restoration and Research; the Institute for Minimally Invasive
and Robotic Surgery; and Washington West, a complex which houses Washington
Women’s Center, Outpatient Imaging Center, Sandy Amos R.N. Infusion
Center, Washington Urgent Care and additional outpatient hospital services
and administrative facilities.