Cardiac care advanced to a new level last month at Florida Coast Medical Center when interventional cardiologist Dr. Amarnath Vedere successfully carried out the hospital’s first ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) case.
Florida Coast is now one of two hospitals in St. Lucie County to receive STEMI patients. The other is HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce.
“This milestone represents another major step forward in our commitment to providing comprehensive, high-quality cardiovascular care close to home,” said Florida Coast Medical Center CEO Tyler Sherrill. “Our team has worked diligently to build the capabilities, infrastructure and expertise needed to care for some of the most critically ill cardiac patients. Completing our first STEMI case demonstrates that patients in our community can receive rapid, advanced heart attack treatment without having to travel outside the region.”
Caused by a complete blockage of a coronary artery, a STEMI is one of the most serious types of heart attacks. Restoring blood flow to the heart is key to improving outcomes.
“Every minute matters when treating a STEMI,” said Sherrill. “The ability to quickly diagnose and intervene can make the difference between life and death. This accomplishment reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, cardiovascular specialists and support teams who are committed to delivering exceptional care to our patients.”
“This hospital has done an amazing job in bringing these programs live,” said Vedere, noting the importance of state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, interventional cardiologists and a top-notch support team.
The STEMI designation was received recently, less than a year after Florida Coast opened its doors, and Vedere credits Sherrill for getting it done. The first patient was treated last month.
Diana Esar and her mother Savetrie Esar live two minutes from Florida Coast Medical Center. Savetrie Esar complained about on-and-off chest pain for about a week, before the pain became continuous. Diana Esar put her in the car and drove the short distance to the Emergency Department. Within a half hour to 45 minutes from arrival to the ED, Savetrie was in surgery. “They were moving fast once they saw what it was,” Diana Esar said.
“She’s fine. She was even fine the same day after the surgery,” said Diana Esar when asked about how her mother was feeling. She noted Savetrie, who is in her mid-60s, was still recovering with the only issue being upper thigh soreness from the surgery. Her stay in the hospital was about two days.
“The doctor was great,” Diana Esar said. “They were all great, the nurses and the rest of the staff. It’s great to know that (the hospital) is right there.”
The Esars came to the hospital by car as the family lives nearby, but not everyone has that reality and time is of the essence.
Florida Coast works closely with first responders to get results from a 12-lead EKG in the ambulance transmitted to the emergency department, allowing for immediate treatment for incoming cardiac patients.
A second cardiac catheterization laboratory was added to the hospital before the STEMI interventions could begin, a necessity in order to get the STEMI designation approval.
“With hospital support we are able to save so many lives,” said Dr. Vedere. “It’s very important to open the artery as quickly as we can.”
According to Vedere, STEMI interventions began in 1998, and in 2008 he started to establish STEMI programs in local hospitals with Florida Coast being the most recent. There is a dedicated catheterization team of about six or seven staff members working in the program.
“I’m glad to see these kinds of hospitals near to the population,” Vedere said, emphasizing the importance with the continued growth of Port St. Lucie where the hospital is located.
Florida Coast Medical Center is St. Lucie County’s newest hospital and is located at 310 SE Veranda Falls Way, near Florida’s Turnpike. It is the sixth standalone hospital in the Palm Beach Health Network.