Transfusion-Free Cardiac Surgery:
A Patient Success Story
Fall 2006
Reuben “Drew” Boyer was in good
health — except for a persistent dull ache
in his left shoulder. “I wasn’t having any
other problems except for that pain. I knew
something didn’t feel right,” recalled Mr.
Boyer, 49, of Ventnor, New Jersey.
About 20 years ago, Mr. Boyer was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse (MVP),
one of the most common heart valve
abnormalities affecting millions of people
worldwide. People diagnosed with MVP may
experience occasional heart palpitations;
however, most do not have any symptoms.
“My wife is a nurse practitioner. She
listened to my heart with her stethoscope
and she knew something had changed,”
said Mr. Boyer.
An echocardiogram confirmed that
there were complications related to the
MVP and Mr. Boyer was referred to Charles
Bridges, MD, ScD, a cardiothoracic surgeon
at Pennsylvania Hospital (see physician profile).
“After evaluating me, Dr. Bridges
recommended surgery to repair my mitral
valve. He explained that the surgery would
require cutting a V-shape section out of
my heart valve in order for it to close (see
medical explanation from previous article). He also
explained that the procedure would be
noninvasive and would not require a blood
transfusion,” Mr. Boyer said.
Prior to his initial evaluation at
Pennsylvania Hospital, Mr. Boyer was
unaware of the availability of transfusion free
cardiac surgery and the hospital’s Center
for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery (CBMS).
“Dr. Bridges said I was a perfect
candidate for the bloodless program, so I
followed his recommendation. In addition to
being treated by Dr. Bridges, I was able to
benefit from the services available at the
Center for Bloodless Medicine and
Surgery,” he commented.
Before learning that he needed
surgery, Mr. Boyer, a project manager
for a construction company, was
getting ready to start a new job and
also had plans to travel to the
Caribbean with his family. “Dr.
Bridges suggested that I take the
trip. I still felt good other than the pain in
my shoulder. I even hiked in the Caribbean,”
he said.
Shortly after returning from vacation,
Mr. Boyer underwent surgery in mid-May
and was back to work by the end of June.
“Everything fell right into place at CBMS.
I had an excellent experience and received
great care. And, Dr. Bridges is a fantastic
surgeon. He truly cares about each of his
patients,” added Mr. Boyer.
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