MDNews - Mid Hudson

Cover Feature to Mohan R. Sarabu, MD, FACS, FACC, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. an e y e fo r r es e arc h AT ANy GIVeN time, estimates Daniel o'Dea, MD, FaCC, Chief of Cardiology at vassar Brothers Medical Center and President of the Heart Center in Poughkeepsie, ny, vassar Brothers Medical Center has five or six open and enrolling clinical trials examining new technologies, such as defibrillators, pacemakers and stents, as well as novel treatments for arrhythmia, heart attacks and heightened cholesterol. each year, hundreds of patients enroll in trials conducted in conjunction with leading research institutions, such as the Cleveland Clinic Lerner research institute, Duke Clinical research institute, Harvard Clinical research Dr. o'Dea and Dr. Sarabu review catheterization films and collaborate on treatment. We work diligently with cardiothoracic surgeons to provide patients the most appropriate operation at the right time as well as excellent aftercare." The cardiothoracic surgery team at Vassar Brothers Medical Center is comprised of cardiothoracic surgeons, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, cardiothoracic and critical care nurses, physical therapists, and nutritionists. This team provides comprehensive surgical treatment options, including aortic aneurysm repair, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, surgical ablation for cardiac arrhythmias, valve surgery and redo heart surgery, among others, according The Reality of Reoperations In partnership with an expert team of cardiologists who provide medical treatment for all points on the care continuum, Vassar Brothers Medical Center's cardiothoracic surgical team is committed to delivering surgical excellence for all cardiac conditions, including inevitable and complex redo cardiac operations. "The truth is that the majority of patients who had heart surgery will almost certainly need a second or third operation if they live long enough," Dr. Sarabu says. "We have the expertise and capabilities to offer reoperations for patients who may not be candidates for these procedures at other places." Dr. Sarabu explains that when surgeons perform heart surgery, scar tissue eventually forms around the area of each cut made through skin, fat, chest bone and pericardium to access the heart. When a reoperation is needed, surgeons must navigate through altered anatomical planes because of scar tissue formation and be prepared for complications, such as excessive bleeding, which can result in higher risks for morbidity and mortality. institute and the Mayo Clinic. Cholesterol Control Without statins Patients using statins may suffer from slightly higher risk for type 2 diabetes, liver injury, memory loss and muscle damage, according to the U.S. Food and Drug administration. these patients may benefit from two currently ongoing clinical trials — accelerate and odyssey — that study alternatives for patients with high cholesterol who can't tolerate side effects caused by statin medications. "these medications hold promise to provide patients who are intolerant of statin therapy with an alternative that hopefully translates into lower cholesterol levels and reduces the incidence of heart attacks, strokes and death," says Dr. o'Dea. 8 | Mid Hudson MD News ■ mDNeWS.Com the dedicated and talented cardiac team at vassar Brothers Medical Center

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