This mission was CardioStart’s 5th 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.  Unique to this hospital, two Off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass cases were done.  One Atrial Septal Defect repair was carried out using an Amplatz device.   All cases were successful.

SURGICAL PROGRAM

NameAgeSurgical ProcedureOutcome
B.D.R.P.62Coronary Artery Bypass X3 off pumpSatisfactory
C.C.R.40Mitral Valve RepairSatisfactory
J.C.A.65Coronary Artery Bypass x3 off pumpSatisfactory
F.H.40Mitral and Aortic valve replacements

Tricuspid Repair

Satisfactory
E.M.A.49Redo Mitral Valve ReplacementSatisfactory
R.E.G.20Redo aortic Valve Replacement-Satisfactory
B.J.49Atrial Septal Defect Amplatz deviceSatisfactory
E.E.V.80Aortic Valve ReplacementSatisfactory
F.S.R.65Defibrillator ImplantationSatisfactory
N.B.41Generator changeSatisfactory
L.E.S.D.L.S.26Defibrillator ImplantationSatisfactory
O.O.41Defibrillator ImplantationSatisfactory

OUTREACH PROGRAM

A cardiology clinic was held in Constanza, Dominican Republic.  This community is a 2-hour drive inland from Santa Domingo.  Patients were lined up 2-hours before the team was to arrive. 

In two days, two medical providers, an echo tech and medical student translators evaluated and treated 162 patients for medical conditions with a primary focus on cardiac disorders.

Referrals:  Five patients needing cardiac surgery were discovered and referred for surgical intervention.  Thirty-one echocardiograms were indicated and performed.  Collaborative care was provided in all areas.

COLLABORATION & TEACHING

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

This emphasis continued in the OR and ICU.  Bedside teaching during collaborative care took place throughout the mission.  Protocols and order sets were reviewed with local staff as they provide ongoing care.

RESEARCH FOLLOW-UP

After 5 years of missions to this Hospital, CardioStart in conjunction with local staff has done over 40 surgical procedures on adults and children.  CardioStart Cardiologist Tom Cocke, echo tech Tracy Ferreira and research collator Tyler Thorne saw 40 patients for physical exam and follow-up echocardiograms.  Three patients will be referred for further assessment.  This follow up is very important to the research database CardioStart carries out in each country.

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.

CARDIOSTART TEAM

NAMEPROFESSIONTEAM POSITIONHOME
Mariano Brizzio, MDAdult CV SurgeonMission DirectorNew Jersey, USA
Charles Grima, CCPPerfusionPerfusionistMalta
Jeff Levine, MDAdult CV AnesthesiaAnesthesiologistNew Jersey, USA
Yvonne Lai, MDAnesthesiology/Intensive CareIntensivistBoston MA, USA
Alicia Smith, RNOperating Room NurseScrub NurseNew Jersey, USA
Elaine Kletsman, PAPhysician AssistantPhysician AssistantNew Jersey, USA
Tom Cocke, MDInterventional CardiologyInterventional CardiologistNew Jersey, USA
Nazeli Leake, RNAdult CV ICU NurseCharge NurseNew Jersey, USA
Mary Gregory, RNAdult CV ICU NurseAdult CV ICU NurseNew Jersey, USA
Erin Acker, RNAdult CV ICU NurseAdult CV ICU NurseNew Jersey, USA
Leah Silver, RNAdult CV ICU NurseAdult CV ICU NurseSeattle WA, USA
Tracy Ferreira, RDCSEchocardiologistEchocardiologistNew Jersey, USA
Tyler ThorneMedical StudentDatabase researcherHawaii, USA
Janine Henson, RNAdult CV ICU Nurse & VP CardioStartMission CoordinatorMinnesota USA

THANK YOU!

CardioStart gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the following:

  • Valley Hospital, Ridgewood New Jersey USA.
  • St. Jude Medical Minneapolis, MN USA.
  • Heartcare Dominicana Inc. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
  • Clinica Corazones Unidos, Santo Domingo.
  • Amy Lauth Foundation, Georgia, USA (Logistics and suitcase donation items).
  • Medtronic USA, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
  • Essential Pharma, Inc, USA.
  • Eugene Southtowne Rotary Club, Oregon, USA (Equipment donations & Logistics – Matt and Amanda Adams & colleagues)
  • United Methodist Church, Lake Oswego, OR, USA) (Patient heart pillow gifts)
  • Maxine Rodgers- Hygiene Care Kits for patients, Chico, CA, USA.