REPORT on CARDIAC MISSION to SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

March 30-April 6, 2019

This mission was CardioStart’s 6th adult cardiac surgery mission to Clinica Corozonas Unidos, in Santo Domingo.  HeartCare Dominicana, Inc. facilitated the team’ presence during the week and arranged for patients to be seen for this humanitarian surgical program.   Several complex valve repairs/replacements were performed with intensive involvement with the local team.  In addition to the surgical program catheterization lab procedures were performed including a valvuloplasty saving the patient from having to undergo open-heart surgery. 

  

CARDIAC PATIENTS & PROCEDURES

Name

Age

Surgical Procedure

Outcome

R.T.

55

Severe MS, RHC (Right heart cath) LHC (Left heart cath)

Satisfactory

J.A.C.

65

Severe MR RHC, LHC

Satisfactory

B.C.

55

Severe MR, dilated cardiomyopathy, LHC, RHC

Satisfactory

E.G.R.

59

MS, MR (Rheumatic) RHC, LHC

Satisfactory

A.N.

43

Severe MR, RHC & LHC

Satisfactory

R.P.

72

Severe AS, LHC & RHC

Satisfactory

R.C.

39

Severe MR, LHC & RHC

Satisfactory

A.N.

43

Severe MR, Mitral Valve Repair, extensive leaflet reconstruction and annuloplasty

Satisfactory

D.I.

73

Severe AS and CAD; AVR & CABG

Satisfactory

A.R.

51

Severe MR; mitral valve replacement with bio-prosthetic  valve

Satisfactory

D.B.

21

Severe MR & AI; AVR and MV replacements with bio-prosthetic valves

Satisfactory

M.A.

22

Ostium Secundum ASD; ASD repair with autologous pericardial patch

Satisfactory

D.C.

70

Severe CAD; CABG x 4

Satisfactory

R.C.

39

Severe MR with severe pulm. HTN; MV repair with extensive posterior leaflet reconstruction and annuloplasty repair

Satisfactory

R.O.

73

Severe AS & CAD; AVR with bio-prosthesis and CABG

Satisfactory

E.G.

67

Dilated Cardiomyopathy; ICD implantation

Satisfactory

M.P.

44

Dilated cardiomyopathy ICD Implantation

Satisfactory

L.F.

54

Dilated Cardiomyopathy; ICD implantation

Satisfactory

R.T.

55

Severe MS (Rheumatic); percutaneous valvuloplasty in cath lab

Satisfactory

B.C.

55

Severe MR; mitral valve repair with annuloplasty ring repair

Satisfactory

OUTREACH PROGRAM

A cardiology clinic was held in Cabrera, Dominican Republic.  This community is a 2.5-hour drive across the island from Santa Domingo.  Patients were lined up 2-hours before the team was to arrive.  In two days, three medical providers, (Glenda Campbell echo tech, Linda Romeo Family Nurse Practitioner and Tom Cocke cardiologist) and medical student translators evaluated and treated 117 patients for cardiac conditions with seven referred for possible future surgery.  Echocardiograms were performed on 17 patients.

COLLABORATION & TEACHING

On every CardioStart mission, education of local practitioners is priority.

This year teachers from the California Medical Training Center provided 3 days of education to local practitioners in resuscitation and associated skills in both lecture and laboratory settings. 

CardioStart Nurse Practitioner Linda Romeo provided an afternoon of nursing education.

Teaching in all aspects of the cardiac patient care was provided at the bedside during patient treatment and recovery.  Translators from the local school of medicine provided translation skills and received observational education in return.

CATHETERIZATION LABORATORY

During the weekend pre-mission Cardiologist Dr. Tom Cocke with the assistance Anesthesiologist Jeff Levine performed seven cardiac catheterization procedures, some patients then referred for the surgical program during the week. 

Three cardiac defibrillators were implanted during the week due to the generosity of Medtronic Inc. n interventional catheterization lab procedure; Percutaneous valvuloplasty was performed by Dr. Cocke saving the patient from an open-heart procedure.

CARDIOSTART TEAM

NAME

PROFESSION

TEAM POSITION

HOME

Mariano Brizzio, MD

Adult CV Surgeon

Mission Director

New Jersey, USA

Hina Solanka

Perfusion

Perfusionist

Leicester, UK

Jeff Levine, MD

Adult CV Anesthesia

Anesthesiologist

New Jersey, USA

Rosana Brizzio

Non-medical

Database scribe

New Jersey, USA

Alicia Smith, RN

Operating Room Nurse

Scrub Nurse

New Jersey, USA

Elaine Kletsman, PA

Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant

New Jersey, USA

Tom Cocke, MD

Interventional Cardiology

Interventional Cardiologist

New Jersey, USA

Linda Romeo, ACNP

Family Nurse Practice

Adult ICU practitioner

New Jersey, USA

Minerva Manali, RN

Adult CV ICU Nurse

Adult CV ICU Nurse

New Jersey, USA

Emma Staniels, RN

Adult CV ICU Nurse

Adult CV ICU Nurse

New Jersey, USA

Kerrie Miller, RN

Adult CV ICU Nurse

Adult CV ICU Nurse

Oregon, USA

Glenda Campbell, RDCS

Echocardiographer

Echocardiographer

Illinois, USA

Elissa Persaud, RN

Adult CV ICU Nurse

Adult CV ICU Nurse

Michigan, USA

Janine Henson, RN

Adult CV ICU Nurse & VP CardioStart

Mission Coordinator

Minnesota USA

Tom Hilton, MD

Adult Cardiologist

Adult Cardiologist

Florida, USA

Diana Turrell, RDCS

Echocardiographer

Echocardiographer

California, USA

Michael Pyorala, RT

Respiratory Therapist

Educator

California, USA

Justin Pyorala, RT

Respiratory Therapist

Educator

California, USA

Naiomi Sanchez, RT

Respiratory Therapist

Educator

California, USA

RESEARCH FOLLOW-UP

Twelve patients were examined as follow up from previous mission treatment and interviewed as part of the CardioStart patient database research project. Seven echocardiograms were performed in the follow up program.  This program examines many areas of quality of care and aspects of impact to patient health and recovery by poverty and cultural differences.

It not only documents care provided but also quality of life and survival after cardiac surgery in a developing country.  We are thankful for these patients for taking the time to come to the city for evaluation.

THANK YOU!

CardioStart gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions of the following:

  • Valley Hospital, Ridgewood New Jersey USA
  • Valley Hospital Foundation, Ridgewood New Jersey, USA
  • St. Jude Medical Minneapolis, MN USA.
  • Heartcare Dominicana Inc. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
  • Clinica Corazones Unidos, Santo Domingo, DR.
  • Amy Lauth Foundation, Georgia, USA (Logistics and suitcase donation items).
  • Medtronic USA, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
  • Essential Pharma, Inc, USA.
  • United Methodist Church, Lake Oswego, OR, USA) (Patient heart pillow & hygiene gifts)
  • Maxine Rodgers- Hygiene Care Kits for patients, Chico, CA, USA.
  • Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems, Inc.  USA
  • Cal Med Training Center, Mission Hills, CA, USA
  • Translators from the medical Schools in Santo Domingo, DR
  • Abbott Laboratories, IL USA
  • LSI Solutions, New York, USA
  • Terumo Inc. MI, USA
  • Toray Innovations for Valvuloplasty devices, USA
  • Paramus, NJ Rotary Club