Look North is a magazine published by the Northwell Health System. This publication features health and wellness information geared toward healthcare consumers in the Long Island and New York City region.
Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/866819
To find a physician near you, call 888-321-DOCS. Heart care Celebrating cardiac expansion In March of this year, Peconic Bay Medical Center was approved by the New York State Health Commissioner to create two new cardiac catheterization labs and electrophysiology suites, as well as a rooftop helipad. These developments are made possible in part by a $5 million gift from the John and Elaine Kanas Family Foundation. Housed in what will be called the Critical Care Tower, the Kanas Regional Heart Center with advanced cardiac services will round out Peconic Bay Medical Center's comprehensive cardiac care. With the addition of the new cath labs — a service not available elsewhere on the North Fork — members of the community will be able to receive potentially lifesaving procedures much closer to home. In cardiac events, time matters, and Peconic Bay Medical Center's new ability to provide services such as the placement of stents to open blockages means patients on the East End will receive those services in a much more timely manner. "I've watched Peconic Bay grow and become more over the 12 years I've been working here, and this hospital takes care of the whole community — including me. They treated me like family." —Wanda Pagnotta, clinical services coordinator and patient navigator, Cancer Services Program of Suffolk County, and patient at Peconic Bay Medical Center Dr. Katz had Ms. Pagnotta transferred to North Shore University Hospital, and a procedure confirmed his hunch was accurate. Dr. Katz diagnosed her with heart failure and they began searching for the right treatment process. He first tried fixing her blockages with stents, and after that didn't work, Ms. Pagnotta remained in the hospital for three weeks until the team landed on a medication regimen that would sustain her heart. "We discussed with her that she would need a heart transplant, and her medication would control her condition in the meantime," said Dr. Katz. "Since then, Ms. Pagnotta received her heart transplant and is now recuperating at home." Peconic Bay Medical Center recently received approval to establish cardiac catheterization labs and electrophysiology suites at the hospital, meaning future patients who may present with issues similar to those of Ms. Pagnotta will be able to receive the care they need right in the community. "I think it's very important that Peconic Bay Medical Center is adding these services," said Ms. Pagnotta. "They're positioned in the right place to provide that care for the East End, and the care they provide is wonderful." Interested in learning more about cardiac services at Peconic Bay Medical Center? Visit PBMCHealth.org and select "Services" then select "Cardiology and Coronary Care." How do stents work? A stent, a tiny mesh tube made of metal or fabric, is inserted into an artery clogged by fatty deposits through a procedure called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), which is performed using a balloon catheter. Once inserted into the artery at the point of the blockage, the balloon is inflated, the stent expands and then locks in place to hold the artery open, which allows blood to flow easily to the heart. 5 northwell.edu