St. Clair Hospital HouseCall Vol III Issue 1

VOLUMEIII, II,ISSUE ISSUE12 VOLUME

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ST. CLAIR’S FAMILY BIRTH CENTER

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HELP FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

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ASK THE DOCTOR

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HEART PATIENT PROFILE

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH

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NEW PETERS TOWNSHIP OUTPATIENT CENTER

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Meet Some of St.Clair’s Top Heart Doctors

LEADING TEC NNOLOGY New MRI Equipment Arrives at Bethel Park Facility

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t. Clair Hospital MRI Center is now home to the area’s most technologically

advanced MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) equipment. The Hospital recently installed a new state-of-the-art GE Optima 450 wide

Pictured are four members of our interventional cardiology team: DR. JEFFREY FRIEDEL, DR. ADIL WAHEED, DR. JOHN GIROD and DR. RYAN ZUZEK.

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t. Clair Hospital Cardiovascular Services uses a multidisciplinary team of caregivers

to deliver advanced cardiac care that not only rivals the cardiovascular services

found at the largest hospitals in Pittsburgh, but those across the country.

This story focuses on four of our interventional cardiologists, heart doctors who

bore MRI scanner at the Broughton Road

diagnose and treat structural diseases of the heart using cardiac catheterization, where a

facility in Bethel Park.

thin, flexible tube called a catheter is put into a blood vessel in the wrist, upper thigh, or

“The new MRI is much faster, thereby

neck, and a very fine wire is threaded into the heart. Through the catheter, doctors can

decreasing the amount of time it takes to

perform diagnostic tests and treatments on the heart. They can also remove clots from

complete the scan. With the wide bore

coronary arteries, and insert balloons and stents into an artery to restore heart function.

opening, the patient experience is greatly

These four cardiologists and their colleagues treat more heart attack victims with

enhanced, especially for those who can

interventional procedures than any other single hospital in southwestern Pennsylvania,

become claustrophobic,” says Dr. Donald

with outcomes that far exceed national averages.

Orr, Chairman of the Department of Medical

Moreover, St. Clair cardiologists are widely recognized for superior treatment times

Imaging. “Most importantly, it’s a very

for heart attack victims arriving at our Emergency Department, resulting in better

sophisticated diagnostic tool providing

outcomes than some of the most recognized hospitals in the United States.

incomparable imaging results.”

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The Hospital’s renowned “Door-to-Balloon” team consistently ranks first for its CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Door-to-Balloon time, a key measurement in emergency cardiac care in the treatment of heart attacks. The ideal treatment time for a heart attack victim is less than 90 minutes from the time he or she enters the Emergency Department door to the time an angioplasty balloon is inflated to unblock the artery.

These cutting-edge cardiologists conduct interventional procedures that are minimally invasive—requiring only small incisions and a catheter—but have maximum results.

Interventional procedures include right and left heart catheterizations, coronary stent implants, permanent pacemaker insertions, diagnostic peripheral angiograms, peripheral stent insertions, and more.

They perform all of these procedures 24 hours a day, seven days a week for scheduled and emergency cardiac care, seamlessly delivered with St. Clair's longtime reputation for quality, compassionate, personalized care.

Soon, St. Clair will be adding a third suite to its Cath Lab to accommodate the program’s growth and to allow our cardiologists to conduct more extensive procedures.

Features of the third suite include dual imaging, which allows the cardiologists to image the heart and circulatory system without moving patients to another room or position on the table. The suite’s larger imaging camera will help the doctors visualize a wider portion of the abdomen and legs, reducing the need for additional x-rays and contrast dye. Enhanced technology and high-definition monitors will give the cardiologists the sharpest images available in the industry.

The physicians highlighted in the following stories are just some of the outstanding St. Clair doctors who deliver these state-of-the-art cardiovascular procedures, all of which are designed to help southwestern Pennsylvania residents prevent, diagnose, treat and recover from cardiovascular diseases.

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HOUSECALL ASKED EACH OF THE FOLLOWING INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGISTS TO DISCUSS A SPECIFIC PROCEDURE IN DETAIL.

Dr. Girod describes intravascular ultrasound or IVUS-guided stenting and FFR, or Fractional Flow Reserve, as leading-edge technology.

"IVUS and FFR make assessing blockages much more objective and accurate than an angiogram, with better outcomes and a more accurate diagnosis," he says.

JOHN (JACK) P. GIROD, D.O. IVUS is a medical imaging method that uses a specially designed catheter with a miniaturized ultrasound probe attached to the end. The other end of the catheter is attached to ultrasound equipment. The ultrasound allows cardiologists to see inside the blood vessels of the heart to determine the amount of plaque built up, which cannot be seen by angiography, an x-ray examination that uses a special dye.

"IVUS improves outcomes by allowing physicians to precisely size a blood vessel, to pick the size of the stent (small metal tubes used to prop open blocked vessels) for the best "fit" possible, decreasing the risk of complication and renarrowing," Dr. Girod explains.

He says IVUS can also help determine which patients are vulnerable to heart attacks and “sudden death” by determining the volume of plaque “hidden” in the walls of arteries.

Recent research has revealed that most heart attacks are caused by plaque within the artery wall and not as a result of narrowing in the artery opening.

Dr. Girod says FFR is a technique that accurately measures blood flow through a narrowed portion of a coronary artery, and gives the cardiologist a clearer picture of the best course of treatment for a blockage.

“FFR takes out the subjectivity by allowing for precise measurement in real time of the significance of a specific blockage,” he says.

Dr. Girod notes that IVUS and FFR produce volumes of helpful data to a cardiologist and it’s all accomplished through small holes in the skin. “Everything we do is percutaneous. So it's not considered surgery. It's interventional cardiology."

Dr. Girod earned his medical degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed an internal medicine residency at the Cleveland Clinic, as well as a cardiovascular medicine fellowship and an interventional cardiology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He is board certified in interventional and general cardiology. Dr. Girod practices with South Hills Cardiology Associates.

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Like his fellow interventional cardiologists, Dr. Waheed is keenly focused on staying abreast of and learning thenewest procedures in interventional cardiology.

One of the latest procedures he began performing at St. Clair is the use of the Impella LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device).

A minimally invasive device, ADIL WAHEED, D.O. the Impella 2.5 helps fragile hearts pump blood out of the heart and through the body. The device is inserted through a small artery puncture and is fed into the left ventricle of the heart. It can pump up to 2.5 liters of blood per minute.

"We are trained in the newer procedures, techniques, and new generation devices, including the Impella LVAD, which can support the heart in case of left ventricle failure," says Dr. Waheed.

He says this new device revolutionizes heart procedures for patients whose hearts are often too weak to withstand a cardiac catheterization procedure—such as angioplasty, a procedure in which a tiny balloon is inflated to clear blockages in cardiac vessels.

Dr. Waheed says St. Clair is one of the first hospitals in the greater Pittsburgh area to use the Impella device, serving as another example of St. Clair's leading position in heart care.

Dr. Waheed earned his medical degree at LECOM and completed his residency in internal medicine at St. Francis Medical Center in Pittsburgh.

He completed a fellowship in cardiology and interventional cardiology at Deborah Heart and Lung Center, New Jersey. He is board certified in cardiology and interventional cardiology. Dr. Waheed practices with US Heart and Vascular, P.C.

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We are dedicated to

staying current on the

latest trends in medicine.

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Dr. Zuzek, who started at St. Clair in July, is the newest member of the interventional cardiology team.

While Dr. Zuzek performs cardiac catheterizations, he also is an expert in diagnosing and treating peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which involves obstruction of large arteries RYAN ZUZEK, M.D. located outside of the heart, primarily in the lower extremities.

“Claudication (leg weakness from circulation abnormalities) and pain in the legs frequently are misdiagnosed as arthritis,” he says.

“That’s due, in part, to the fact that about 50 percent of patients with mild forms of PAD do not demonstrate any telltale or obvious symptoms, which include sores, wounds or ulcers, blue or pale skin tone, diminished hair and nail growth, among others.”

Patients suspected of having PAD often undergo a non-invasive test to determine if blood pressure readings in the ankles are lower than that in the arms. If that is the case, it’s likely there is a blockage or blockages in the arteries that feed blood all the way to the ankles.

That test is often followed by an ultrasound exam to try to narrow down the location and extent of the blockages. Many patients with PAD can be treated with medications and an exercise regimen. However, intervention is often prescribed for those suffering with severe symptoms.

Dr. Zuzek says the gold standard for diagnosing PAD is angiography, in which a catheter is placed in an artery, a dye is injected, and the blockage is detected on an x-ray.

Once the blockage is pinpointed, Dr. Zuzek can remove it using a rotating cutting blade inserted through a catheter, or by inflating a tiny balloon to reopen a blocked artery and keeping it open with a stent.

Dr. Zuzek says the spectrum of cardiovascular and peripheral artery disease care and methods of treatments at St. Clair is on par with any hospital in the city. "We are dedicated to staying current on the latest trends in medicine. That's what we're here for. To provide optimal, superb care and service."

That's what we're here for.

To provide optimal, superb

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care and service.

–Ryan Zuzek, M.D.

Dr. Zuzek earned his medical degree at the National University of Ireland in Galway. His postgraduate training includes a residency at the Cleveland Clinic, where he later was an attending physician. He did a cardiology and interventional cardiology fellowship at Brown University hospitals in Providence, R.I. Dr. Zuzek is board certified in internal medicine, general cardiology, interventional, and nuclear cardiology. He practices with US Heart and Vascular, P.C. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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Committed to Delivering Exception al

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ith more than 1,400 births annually, St. Clair Hospital offers a comprehensive array of

specialized services to make each woman’s birthing

experience as safe, comfortable and special as possible.

With a belief that knowledge and education are vital ingredients in maintaining health and wellness, the Hospital’s Center for Women and Children offers a variety of educational programs designed to meet every family’s health care needs. New and expectant parents can benefit from the Hospital’s childbirth series, which includes information on baby care, childbirth preparation, labor and delivery, breastfeeding, and infant and child CPR. A grandparents class, siblings class and Family Birth Center tour are also available.

St. Clair’s outpatient services for women include a new OB/GYN Ultrasound Suite that features one of the region’s most sophisticated ultrasound systems available today. The new technology gives expectant parents an amazing first look at their baby utilizing 4D (or real-time 3D) imaging technology and provides the utmost in peace of mind.

STEPHANIE BROWN, M.D., obstetrician/gynecologist, welcomes a new addition to the St. Clair Family Birth Center.

St. Clair’s birthing facility features comfortable, private birthing accommodations, state-of-the-art medical equipment and around-the-clock pain management. To support its commitment to family-centered care, the Hospital also offers sleeping accommodations for mothers’ partners, a convenient dining concierge service and unique “couplet” care, in which one nurse cares for both the mother and her baby, providing maximum post-delivery support and bonding.

Mothers wishing to breastfeed enjoy the benefits of St. Clair’s on-site Lactation Center coordinated by a certified lactation consultant. Assistance is available 4

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TERRY FULCHER, MANAGING DIRECTOR WOMEN & CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Obstetric Care throughout the prenatal period, as well as during and following a woman’s hospital stay. Lactation services include personal and private consultations.

St. Clair provides 24-hour, in-house pediatric coverage for premature or ill babies. The Hospital’s Level II Special Care Nursery (SCN) is specifically designed and equipped to meet the special needs of babies requiring additional care. St. Clair’s in-house, board-certified pediatric hospitalists work closely with

Postpartum Depression Finding Help, Hope and Support at St. Clair

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ovember 2, 2008, was one of Rachel Molinaro’s happiest days of her life. After conceiving through in vitro fertilization (IVF), Rachel and her husband welcomed Sabella—a healthy baby daughter.

But within just a few months, Rachel’s joy and excitement quickly faded and were replaced with constant crying, suicidal thoughts, intense anxiety and fear. Even worse, Rachel began regularly experiencing gruesome and disturbing hallucinations.

each baby’s pediatrician to develop the most personalized and appropriate plan of care for each infant.

“What makes St. Clair unique is its ability to care for each patient as an individual and, therefore, make her delivery as meaningful and special as possible,” says Terry Fulcher, managing director, Women & Children’s Services. “Our dedicated team of board-certified obstetricians and registered nurses continually provide high quality obstetric care in a compassionate and personalized approach that is unique, supportive and sincere.”

St. Clair’s exceptional obstetric care, unparalleled commitment to families and dedicated attention to personalized care has consistently resulted in outstanding overall patient satisfaction scores. With the Hospital’s convenient location, women are assured that they will receive the highest quality obstetric care close to home.

OBSTETRICS PRACTICES AT ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL Patricia J. Bulseco, M.D., P.C. St. Clair Hospital 412.942.1866 McMurray 724.941.1866 Zubritzky and Christy OB/GYN Associates St. Clair Hospital 412.942.1066 Robinson 412.788.1330 Kennedy 412.331.1623 South Hills OB/GYN Associates, Inc. St. Clair Hospital 412.572.6127 Sandor Mecs, M.D. St. Clair Hospital 412.561.4722 Southside 412.488.8888 Arthur P. Signorella, M.D. St. Clair Hospital 412.572.6595

For more information about obstetric services at St.Clair Hospital, please call 412.942.5882 or visit www.stclair.org.

RACHEL MOLINARO

“I had a picture perfect pregnancy, labor and delivery, and was excited to become a mom for the first time,” said Rachel. “So I was shocked when I began having horrific visions of my house engulfed in flames or my daughter dying. It got so bad that I was afraid to go into her room for fear that I’d find her dead.”

Physicians told Rachel she was suffering from postpartum psychosis—an extreme form of postpartum depression. Affecting approximately 15 percent of all women following the birth of a child, postpartum depression has many symptoms, including feeling sad or frequently depressed; a loss of interest in the baby; feelings of guilt, worthlessness or hopelessness; periods of crying for unknown reasons; fear of losing control or “going crazy”; and thoughts of harming oneself or one’s baby.

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FEATURES OF THE NEW GE MRI SCANNER INCLUDE:

Dr. Orr notes that it was just a year ago that St. Clair added a new 64 slice CT (Computerized Tomography) scanner at the Hospital.

“The addition of the CT scanner and this new MRI has helped secure St. Clair’s position as a leader in medical imaging.”

• Ability to conduct breast MRI scans feet first, reducing the chance of claustrophobia • A spacious, large wide bore opening which provides the ability to scan patients weighing up to 500 pounds

DONALD ORR, M.D. Dr. Orr earned his medical degree and completed his residency at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his fellowship at the American College of Radiology and is board certified in radiology.

Dr. Orr is chairman of the St. Clair Hospital Medical Imaging Department and practices with South Hills Radiology Associates.

• Eight channel extremity coils for more detailed images • Improved MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiogram) vessel scanning without contrast • Enhanced scanning software for patients who move due to claustrophobia • Advanced software that reduces examination time • New high field magnet with the feeling of an open scanner

To schedule an appointment for the new MRI scanner, please call 412.942.8150.

NEW WIDE BORE MRI AT ST. CLAIR’S MRI CENTER

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ASK THE DOCTOR Q: What is nuclear medicine?

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Nuclear medicine is a distinctive branch of diagnostic imaging that not only deals with human anatomic detail, but also with organ function and disease treatment. Other imaging techniques such as standard x-rays, ultrasound, CT and MRI help in diagnosing diseases primarily by detecting changes in your body.

A typical nuclear medicine procedure consists of administering a small amount of a radioactive substance (radiopharmaceutical) to a patient, waiting a period of time, then scanning the patient on a table with an ultrasensitive camera, creating a diagnostic image. Most studies are performed with an intravenous injection, although some require oral ingestion or inhalation of the radiopharmaceutical. The dose of radiation the patient receives is similar to routine x-ray and CT examinations.

There are a wide variety of nuclear medicine applications.

A lung scan is used primarily to diagnose a blood clot within the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Heart scans help in detection of decreased blood supply to the heart (coronary artery disease) as well as determining how well the heart contracts.

Within the digestive tract, there are many applications. One study determines how well the stomach empties after a meal.

Another exam assesses gallbladder function, including whether or not it is acutely inflamed, or simply does not function well.

Those patients with abnormal function may benefit from surgery even if they do not have gallstones. Tests are also available to assess overall liver function as well as diagnose a site of acute bleeding within the intestines. Bone scans detect abnormal

DAVID B. PALKO, M.D.

Imaging of the thyroid gland is unique in that it can be scanned to assess for benign and malignant nodules, treat an overactive gland, and be used in conjunction with surgery to treat and monitor thyroid cancer patients.

PET (positron emission tomography) scanning is a widely utilized and popular state-of-the-art nuclear medicine study.

It is used in conjunction with CT scan imaging to evaluate tumors in cancer patients and assess response to therapy. Oftentimes patients with little change of tumor size on CT will show marked improvement on the PET images, demonstrating a good response to therapy that would not otherwise be appreciated. The scan allows evaluation of the entire body in a single study. Occasionally PET scans are utilized in heart disease patients to see if they might benefit from bypass surgery. PET scans are also sometimes used to aid in diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in select patients.

The future of nuclear medicine includes continued improvement in PET diagnostic imaging as well as potential therapeutic applications.

metabolic activity within the bones. This can be due to many causes, including fracture, infection, arthritis and tumor.

Usually the diagnosis can be made by correlating the bone scan findings with the patient’s clinical history, blood work, and supplemental x-rays, CT or MRI scans. Special scans are also available to detect infection in all parts of the body.

Dr. Palko is a staff radiologist at St. Clair Hospital. He earned his medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh and completed his residency in diagnostic radiology at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.

He is board certified by the American Board of Radiology.

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HEART PATIENT PROFILE

Brian Parrish

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t 6 foot 4 inches tall, Brian Parrish doesn’t scare easily. But he was pretty

shaken by an unexpected visit to a hospital emergency room during his vacation to Aruba with friends last fall.

Brian, age 50, arrived on the Caribbean island feeling tired, but chalked it up to a long plane ride, BRIAN PARRISH

and felt fine after a night’s

rest. But the next day, he knew something was wrong when, after a quick swim, he suddenly felt ill. When he returned to his room, he felt the pressure in his chest intensify. Alarmed, he alerted the hotel staff and was taken to an area hospital.

Brian spent five days in an Aruba hospital that, he said, didn’t quite meet the high standards he had come to expect from hospitals back home in the states. Among the many differences was the dietary fare of two slices of white bread and juice for each meal.

Concerned about his medical care, Brian was anxious to return home to Pittsburgh for treatment.

Brian telephoned a friend, St. Clair Hospital orthopedic surgeon Jon Tucker, M.D., who quickly recommended St. Clair cardiologist Jeffrey Friedel, M.D. Within the hour, Dr. Friedel contacted Brian and helped coordinate his care with the attending

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Dr. Friedel is co-director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at St. Clair, and director of its Cardiac Rehabilitation Department.

He is a strong proponent and instructor of cardiac catheterizations done radially, or through the wrist, instead of through the femoral artery in the upper thigh. Currently, only 1 percent of cardiac catheterizations in the U. S. are done through the wrist.

At St. Clair, the percentage of radial caths JEFFREY FRIEDEL, M.D. performed is much higher than the national average. (Please see Heart Patient Profile at left.) All told, St. Clair cardiologists perform more than 2,000 catheterizations each year.

"Radial caths are a bit more technically demanding, but are a good choice for patients with advanced pulmonary disease or patients who are too ill to lie down for extended periods," Dr. Friedel says. "It's safer, there's less risk of bleeding, and it's more comfortable for patients, who can go home an hour after the procedure."

Dr. Friedel has been doing radial-style catheterizations for 10 years and points out that aside from the different access point into the body, radial and femoral caths are very similar.

“Once the guide wire is inserted through the catheter to the heart, a dye is injected into the arteries to help detect blockages and other abnormalities.

If an angioplasty—in which a small balloon is inflated inside the artery to re-open any blockages—is deemed necessary, the balloon and any stents needed to prop open the artery are inserted right through a catheter in the wrist, just as it would be through the larger femoral artery.”

A recent story in The Wall Street Journal says positive results in a number of studies on radial catheterizations have triggered a surge of interest in the technique across the U.S. Dr. Friedel, who was featured in a KDKA-TV medical report on the radial method, says more and more cardiologists will be using the technique in their respective cath labs.

“Heart catheterization patients like and appreciate any new techniques that can simplify an invasive medical procedure,” Dr. Friedel says. “And we cardiologists, of course, want our patients to have the latest and best treatments available today.”

physician in Aruba. Just hours after his flight home, Brian came in for radial (through the wrist) heart catheterization by Dr. Friedel. The procedure revealed that Brian had a 99 percent blockage in his descending artery. To clear the blockage, Dr. Friedel inserted two stents in the arterial wall. Amazingly, there was very little residual damage to Brian’s heart muscle despite the attack—and no discomfort.

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Dr. Friedel earned his medical degree at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and completed his internship and residency at Allegheny General Hospital.

He completed fellowships in interventional cardiology, cardiology and categorical internal medicine at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He is board certified in cardiology. Dr. Friedel practices with South Hills Cardiology Associates.

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JEFFREY FRIEDEL, M.D. CO-DIRECTOR, CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION LAB

As a clinical cardiologist,

Dr. Kaliman does not perform catheterizations like the four preceeding interventionalists, but will refer patients to the interventionalists when warranted. He sees patients at his office on Brownsville Road in Brentwood for a range of heartrelated concerns, including EDWARD KALIMAN, M.D. congenital heart disease, heart failure, and irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia. His patients range in age from teenagers to senior citizens in their 90s.

Many heart patients with atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm) are prescribed the well-known drug Coumadin (generic name: warfarin) to thin their blood and prevent strokes and blood clots.

But there is a new anticoagulant on the market – Pradaxa (generic name: dabigatran)—that cardiologists, including Dr. Kaliman, have added to their arsenal.

HouseCall asked Dr. Kaliman to relate what he is telling his patients about Pradaxa by posing a few questions to him about the new drug.

Q: What are the advantages of Pradaxa?

A: Pradaxa is taken twice a day. And unlike, Coumadin, there are no dose adjustments and no blood work is needed. It is very helpful for patients who have a difficult time getting their blood work done for a variety of reasons, including transportation issues or severe illness. Pradaxa also has fewer interactions with other medications.

Q: Are there any disadvantages?

A: Pradaxa cannot be reversed as fast as Coumadin. However, it does not last a very long time in the bloodstream after patients stop taking it. Pradaxa also can produce a little more intestinal bleeding than Coumadin and it is not recommended for patients with moderate to severe renal failure.

Q: Do you envision Pradaxa being prescribed to patients following, for instance, hip or knee surgery, to prevent blood clots?

A: Right now, it is only FDA approved for atrial fibrillation with non-valvular heart disease. Research is ongoing for other conditions.

Dr. Kaliman completed his residency and a fellowship in invasive cardiology and nuclear cardiology at Allegheny General Hospital, serving as attending physician for the heart transplant and heart failure team. He has been affiliated with St. Clair Hospital for more than two years and is board certified in cardiology.

While many heart ailments can be diagnosed and treated through tiny slits in the wrist or upper thigh by St. Clair Hospital’s team of interventional cardiologists, some patients still require open chest (often called “open heart”) surgery.

Fortunately, St. Clair Hospital offers some of the top G. FREDERICK WOELFEL, M.D. cardiac surgeons in western Pennsylvania. One of the most respected cardiac surgeons is Dr. G. Frederick Woelfel.

Dr. Woelfel of Three Rivers Cardiac Institute has been the chief of cardiovascular surgery since the Heart Center at St.Clair Hospital opened in April 1998.

Dr. Woelfel and his partners, Ross F. DiMarco, M.D., Alice M. Pierce, M.D., and Antonio Sortino, M.D., perform all procedures involving coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and other surgery to correct cardiac valve disease. Additionally, they insert cardiac pacemakers to treat abnormal heart rhythms.

Working with St. Clair's clinical cardiologists and the interventional cardiology team ensures that heart surgery patients enjoy an unmatched standard of surgical expertise and successful outcomes.

Dr. Woelfel's patient readmission rate and patient length of stay is the lowest in Allegheny County. He was recently issued a Five Star rating for coronary artery bypass grafting and valve surgery by a leading independent health care ratings service. In 2010 Dr. Woelfel was named one of the state's highest ranking physicians in the number of open chest surgery cases and low mortality rates.

With this record of success, Dr. Woelfel makes a clear case for cardiac care at St. Clair. "Physicians at St. Clair have superior training and expertise. Moreover, St. Clair heart patients enjoy more streamlined, patient-centered care following surgery.

Post-operative care here is outstanding," Dr. Woelfel says."Our patients stay in the same bed from Post-Op through recovery.

All patient care is from the same team of nurses, and the nursing care is excellent."

Dr. Woelfel is a board-certified thoracic surgeon. He completed his undergraduate studies at Duke University. He attended the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed fellowships at University of Illinois Medical School and University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He has been in private practice with Three Rivers Cardiac Institute, Inc. since 1986.

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Postpartum Depression CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Rachel first tried medication to control her symptoms, but the medications prevented her from breastfeeding.

“That was the only special time I had with my daughter—free from my visions and uncontrollable feelings,” she said. “I couldn’t let that time be taken away from me.”

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St. Clair’s health care professionals

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–Rachel Molinaro

Resolved to find another solution, Rachel began scouring the Internet for information about postpartum depression and located a listing of area support groups, one of which was in the South Hills, provided by St. Clair Hospital. The Elizabeth Township resident was certain that St. Clair’s support group was her only hope.

“I was afraid of what people would think of me or that my baby would be taken

RACHEL MOLINARO at home with her daughter, SABELLA.

away from me,” Rachel said. But after attending just one meeting— led by obstetric and mental health nurses—she felt a huge sense of relief. “The meeting was more of a ‘new mom rally’ than a support group. I realized I wasn’t alone anymore and could be completely honest with my feelings and experiences. So many other new moms were feeling the same emotions of sadness, anxiety, loneliness and fear.”

After more than a year of ongoing support from St. Clair Hospital, Rachel considers herself a new person and new mother to her daughter.

“I honestly enjoy being a mother now,” she says.

“St. Clair’s health care professionals taught me important coping strategies that have really worked for me. I’m finally able to handle my life now and enjoy it fully.”

Rachel’s advice to all mothers is simple: “Be honest about your feelings and don’t keep them hidden. Every new mother, regardless of circumstances, has bad days. But when the number of bad days surpasses the number of good days, it’s time to seek help.”

St. Clair Hospital’s postpartum depression support group is held the fourth Tuesday of each month, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Christ United Methodist Church, Bethel Park.

For more information, please call 412.942.5882. Please visit www.stclair.org to watch Rachel’s story.

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Heart Patient Profile: Brian Parrish CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

“I couldn’t believe how fast the procedure was. There was only

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visitor to the Cardiac Rehab unit at St. Clair. Recently sidelined with knee complications, he hopes to return soon.

“The staff there is great. The kindest, nicest, most professional

a tiny incision on my wrist, and no pain at all. I was out (of the

people I have ever worked with. They make you feel so welcome, and

Hospital) the next day by noon.”

explain every facet of your treatment. I look forward to

“Dr. Friedel has a tremendous bedside manner, which is really important when you’re facing heart issues,” he continues. “He made me feel very confident in the procedure, which put me at ease.”

For several weeks after his procedure, Brian was a regular

getting back.”

Brian, a self-described “Type A” and single dad of four, has a full-time job for an energy company, and travels for business three to five times a week. He also is a member of the Uniformed Division of the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Reserves. “My kids tell me I’m always going 100 miles an hour,” he admits.

“The funny thing is, I had a physical four months before my heart attack. My overall blood levels were within the acceptable range, and my blood pressure was normal, so I was shocked to have experienced a heart attack,” he reflects.

Since that time, Brian has lost 40 pounds by “cleaning my house out of good (tasting) food,” and focusing on eating smart: chicken, fish, salads, and light on the carbs.

Brian has a vacation camp up north on the Allegheny River, in Tidioute, Warren County, where he plans on going to read, fish and just relax—a little closer to home this time.

DR. JEFFREY FRIEDEL with his patient BRIAN PARRISH.

COMMUNITY OUTREAC H As part of its ongoing commitment to the community, St. Clair Hospital is partnering with area community organizations. The Hospital will highlight the good works of these non-profit partners in HouseCall. In this issue we feature Angels’ Place and the Chartiers Valley Boys & Girls Club.

Angels’ Place, a non-profit organization committed to the belief that

The Chartiers Valley Boys & Girls Club is a non-profit organization

every life is valuable, provides single parents who are full-time students

dedicated to promoting health, social, educational, vocational and

with the help needed to complete their education, enabling them to secure

character development for boys and girls ages 6 through 18. Through

employment and become self-sufficient citizens. Through accredited

a donation, St. Clair Hospital is helping to promote after school

childcare, individual counseling and support programs, Angels’ Place has

programs such as the Homework Power Hour, NFL Play 60 Challenge

embodied the best practices of education, family and child development

and Dapper Dan Charities, which help to provide every child with the

for more than 27 years. With the help of a St. Clair Hospital donation,

essential tools needed for a successful and bright future. Having

Angels’ Place provides children a nurturing, safe and healthy environment.

taught skills, values and self-esteem to youth since 1931, the

For more information about Angels’ Place, to apply, to donate, or to

Boys & Girls Club is committed to adapting its programs and services

learn more about two of their upcoming events,

to meet the needs of the children and families it serves. To learn

please visit www.angelsplacepgh.org or call

more, please visit www.bgcwpa.org

412.531.6667.

or call 412.276.3151.

11

ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL 1000 Bower Hill Road Pittsburgh, PA 15243

VOLUME II, ISSUE 2

S AV E T H E D AT E S !

ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL General & Patient Information 412.942.4000 Physician Referral Service 412.942.6560 Outpatient Center—Village Square 412.942.7100 Medical Imaging Scheduling 412.942.8150 www.stclair.org

Dinner – Friday, July 15 Golf Classic – Monday, July 18 For more information, call 412 .942.2465.

Follow us on twitter at: www.twitter.com/stclairhospital HouseCall is a publication of St. Clair Hospital. Articles are for informational purposes and are not intended to serve as medical advice.

Please consult your personal physician.

FUTURE OUTPATIENT CENTER IN PETERS TOWNSHIP

This architect’s rendering depicts the exterior view of St. Clair Hospital’s newest development, a two-story 40,000 square-foot outpatient center along Route 19 in Peters Township, just south of Donaldson’s Crossroads. The new facility will provide more convenient access to St. Clair physicians and services by placing them in one centralized location. Construction will commence this summer with completion expected by mid-2012.