Port Charlotte Man Receives Life-Saving Heart Implant at Peace River Regional Medical Center
Port Charlotte, FL (December 31, 2013) – For long-time Port Charlotte resident, Maurice Gelinas (57), being outdoors and active was a way of life. The Wallingford, Connecticut native had his own lawn service, and enjoyed fishing, walking, and the Florida sunshine. However, in 2012, Mr. Gelinas suffered a severe heart attack. Initially, he recovered and at the start of 2013 was doing pretty well. Then, early this year he was diagnosed with heart failure, which resulted in his health worsening with each passing month. One of the results of his heart failure is a condition called ventricular tachycardia, which in his words meant “my heart’s upper and lower chambers were not in sync.”
As Mr. Gelinas’ condition progressed, his wife, Barbara, described feeling helpless as he became increasingly weak, and unable to leave the house. “He spent his day inside, sitting in his chair,” she said – such a change from his previously active lifestyle.
This fall, his cardiologist referred him to Dr. Christiano Caldiera – a cardiovascular surgeon at Peace River Regional Medical Center. Dr. Caldiera told Mr. and Mrs. Gelinas about the LVAD – Left Ventricular Assist Device. Dr. Caldiera, one of the surgeons from Florida Advanced Cardiothoracic Surgery South (F.A.C.T. Surgery South), is highly experienced in implanting the LVAD into patients whose hearts no longer work well enough for them to live a normal life. He has been performing this procedure in Tampa for some time. However, this was the first LVAD procedure at Peace River Regional Medical Center. Peace River is the first hospital in Charlotte County to offer this technology, along with highly-skilled surgeons and clinical staff who perform the procedure.
The LVAD helps the left side of the heart pump the blood the body needs. The system, known as the HeartMate II, designed and manufactured by Thoratec Corporation, (illustration attached, courtesy of Thoratec Corporation) is small, light and quiet. It is a pump, placed inside the body, connected to the left side of the heart. Since the pump helps move more oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, most patients say they feel better and have more energy.
Mr. Gelinas is looking forward to having more energy. “I am looking forward to being home with my wife, seeing my sons, and my grandsons, Aiden (5) and Riley (2). I also have a new grandson on the way any day now. I can’t wait to go fishing with Aiden.” His wife is excited for him to get back to doing things he loves, and enjoying the outdoors again. “It has been hard seeing him suffer, and not being able to help him.”
Both feel as though this life-saving surgery is a miracle, and the answer to many prayers. When asked how he feels about his surgeon, Dr. Caldiera, Mr. Gelinas said, “He truly cares about his patients. He is humble and down to earth.” Mrs. Gelinas said “I appreciated how time stops when it comes to his patients. He never seemed rushed, and answered all of my questions, as well as my husband’s”
Mr. Gelinas seemed very emotional in talking about his care team at Peace River Regional Medical Center. “The nurses and team here are top-notch, and are like family to me. They are caring and selfless – truly dedicated professionals – angels actually.”
One of the “angels,” Lisa Ferrentino, RN, one of the hospital’s ventricular assist device coordinators, said “It was an honor to take care this special young man, and to give him a second chance at life.”
“On behalf of the entire patient care team at Peace River, we are so pleased at how well Mr. Gelinas is progressing. We wish him a full recovery, are thrilled he could usher in the New Year with his family, at home,” said Richard Satcher, Market President, Peace River Regional Medical Center and Charlotte Regional Medical Center. “This procedure, available to Mr. Gelinas, is evidence of Peace River Regional Medical Center’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art, comprehensive heart care to the citizens of the greater Charlotte County area.
For Mr. Gelinas, 2014 holds the promise of a life reclaimed, and a future filled with family and enjoying the beautiful SW Florida outdoors once again. What better way to start the New Year – he left the hospital on Friday (12/27).
Patient and his wife with the care team at Peace River Regional Medical Center
Pictured, left to right: Merle Slater, CNA; Carolyn Faris, RN; Maurice Gelinas (patient); Barbara Gelinas (patient’s wife); Susan Davis, RN; Lisa Ferrentino, RN; Teresa DiLena, RN; Jennine DiLena, RN
Questions and Answers from Mr. Gelinas’ cardiovascular surgeon, Christiano Caldeira, M.D.
Q. Can you briefly describe Mr. Gelinas’ condition when you first met him?
A. Mr. Gelinas had end stage heart failure. That means, he was very limited on his ability to do any exercise. Even minimal activities, like taking a shower, going to the mail box…. would make him very short of breath. If not only for that, he also had multiple episodes of arrhythmias in which he would pass out or nearly pass out and be shocked from his internal implanted defibrillator.
As he mentioned to me, that was not life!
Q. For patients with his condition (heart failure), what treatment options are typically available?
A. Up to recently, patients with his condition, the only treatment option would be heart transplantation. Unfortunately, patients needing a heart transplant have to go through a very strict selection criteria. Hearts are a very rare commodity. Only 2500 transplants are done in US per year, and 75,000 are in need of one.
So, patients who are not candidates for transplant have no other option. If they continue on medical therapy their chance to be alive 1 year after diagnosis is less than 50% and in 2 years is less than 10 %.
Q. Why was the LVAD the best option for Mr. Gelinas?
A. As previously mentioned, the other option was to continue medical therapy. He most likely would pass away in the next several months.
Q. What would you like the Charlotte County/Southwest Florida residents to know about heart failure – how to recognize symptoms, treatment options, etc.
A. Heart failure is very prevalent in patients above age of 65. It starts slowly and can progress to a very advanced stage over a period of months to years.
If you have lack of energy, shortness of breath, swelling of extremities, chest discomfort, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician or cardiologist. If diagnosed with a weak heart, FACT Surgery South physicians will be available to see you. Early treatment of heart failure can prevent the progression of the disease to the point of needing transplantation or VAD. However, if you were told that no option is available for your advanced heart condition, talk to Mr. Gelinas. He was given a new chance in live to carry on a very close to normal life style.
About Peace River Regional Medical Center
Peace River Regional Medical Center, now part of the Bayfront Health System, is a 254-bed Joint Commission Accredited full service hospital that is more than a provider of medical excellence; it is where people come to be cared for and cared about. With expert physicians and staff in cardiovascular services, orthopedics and spine, emergency care, and women’s services and through strategic partnerships with Shands/UF, All Children’s Specialists-Johns Hopkins Medicine, Florida Advanced Cardiothoracic (FACT) Surgery, and now Bayfront Health, we are united to bring state-of-the-art care to Florida's Gulf communities.
