Texas Health Kaufman

4 Under Cardiac Arrest c on June 16, 2011, 59-year-old Kaufman resident and police veteran Billy Frosch started his day like any other — with a cigarette in one hand and a coffee in the other. his routine morning abruptly ended, however, when he began experiencing severe chest pain. onstantly trying to catch his breath, Billy decided to rest on the sofa, but his condition only worsened. As Billy's symptoms grew increasingly alarming, he and his wife took action. "I remember my wife driving me to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Kaufman," says Billy. "That's the last thing I recall." thE FLight oF his LiFE After Billy and his wife arrived at the hospital's emergency room, Billy immediately collapsed. The hospital's emergency staff sprang into action, but found no pulse. They quickly determined he was suffering a massive heart attack which required urgent cardiac intervention. "We immediately defibrillated Billy," says Paul Roberts, M.D., emergency physician on the medical staff at Texas Health Kaufman. "That stabilized his blood pressure and helped restore his heart rate until we could transport him to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas." A Careflight helicopter transported Billy from Texas Health Kaufman to Texas Health Dallas, where he received lifesaving angioplasty — a procedure that opens the blocked coronary arteries that cause a heart attack. CoMPrEhEnsivE CarDiaC CarE Texas Health hospitals strive to meet patient needs by implementing transfer processes between hospitals. "Emergency angioplasty should be performed within an hour of a patient's first heart attack symptom, making every second count," says Dr. Roberts. "From the time Billy walked through the doors of Texas Health Kaufman until the completion of his procedure at Texas Health Dallas, the entire process took 59 minutes. That's quite an accomplishment for any hospital." DutY CaLLs Five days after undergoing a successful surgery, Billy had no recollection of his catastrophic heart attack. "When I awoke after surgery, I assumed that I was in the Texas Health Kaufman emergency room, but I was shocked to learn where I was and what had happened," says Billy. "I couldn't have asked for a better medical staff, and I am truly thankful to both hospitals for saving my life." While Billy continues to regain his strength through cardiac rehabilitation programs — and learn how a new, heart-healthy lifestyle can decrease his risk for additional heart problems — he's ready to return to work. "I'm accustomed to helping others through stressful situations, so these past few weeks have definitely been a role reversal for me," says Billy. "With my physician's approval, I'm hoping to return to work very soon." To learn more about cardiac care at Texas Health, visit TexasHealth.org and click "Hospital Services" then "Heart and Vascular." Heart attack symptoms can vary from person to person. Common symptoms can include: • chest pain or discomfort • discomfort in the shoulders and arms • breathing difficulties • cold sweat, lightheadedness or nausea TexasHealth.org

• Cover