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Friday, March 29, 2024

Maimonides Celebrates One-Year Anniversary Of Lvad Heart Surgery Program

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Dr. Paul Saunders checks in with LVAD patient Igbala Feratovic and her husband Fero Feratovic.
Dr. Paul Saunders checks in with LVAD patient Igbala Feratovic and her husband Fero Feratovic.
Maimonides Medical Center recently hosted a one-year anniversary party to commemorate the success of our LVAD Program. Patients and their families enjoyed a festive gathering to celebrate life, their surgical care and the device that’s making this all possible – the LVAD.

The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) program was founded at Maimonides in early 2012. As the first and only hospital offering this procedure in Brooklyn (and one of only a handful in the country), Maimonides is proud to have transformed the lives of so many patients. A highly trained team of cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists and nurses work together to facilitate the LVAD procedure. The LVAD is an implantable device that essentially powers a failing heart suffering from advanced congestive heart failure (CHF).

“Our patients are here today smiling and enjoying every moment together. They’re talking about what Mets or Yankees games they plan on attending, which vacation they’re going on next and more,” said Dr. Norbert Moskovits, Co-Director of the LVAD Program at Maimonides. “Before undergoing the LVAD procedure, these patients had a hard time leaving their homes. It’s truly spectacular how drastically this device can improve one’s quality of life.”

The patients of our LVAD Program were thrilled and grateful to be part of this celebration. The afternoon included a photo slideshow of each patient as they recovered from the LVAD procedure, and a recognition of all those involved.

“After receiving our accreditation from the Joint Commission, we were inspired by the possibilities we knew this program would deliver,” said Dr. Paul Saunders, Co-Director of the LVAD Program at Maimonides. “Seeing our patients here today is a very gratifying experience. We’re so happy to have this device and the expertise to make a difference.”

One of the most important benefits of the LVAD procedure is that patients can return to most of their normal activities—they can travel abroad, ride in trains or airplanes, and drive cars. Because an LVAD takes over for the failing heart, patients are once again able to walk for longer distances, climb stairs, and perform many other physical activities which would have previously been impossible.

Maimonides President & CEO Pamela S. Brier noted, “When the doctors approached me with this fascinating new program, they said, ‘The program will cost millions of dollars, but it will be worth it.’ And as I look at the healthy, energetic faces in this room, I know that it was worth every penny and then some.”

The afternoon continued with a celebratory cake and shared moments of joy between Maimonides staff, patients and their families.

The Maimonides LVAD team provides outstanding patient-centered care for people with advanced heart failure, while aligning with the Joint Commission’s high performance standards for safe, high quality treatment. The LVAD Team consists of surgeons, cardiologists, nurses and many others who work together to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients. The team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (718) 283-5243. For more information about the Maimonides LVAD Program, please visit http://www.maimonidesmed.org/Heart-and-Vascular-Center/LVADProgram.aspx.

 

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