For future cardiac patients at the University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, cutting edge treatment is now closer to home. The Hospital officially unveiled its new cardiac catheterization & electrophysiology laboratory last Thursday afternoon in Ravenna.
“This lab will save lives and it will diagnose cardiac conditions and treat cardiac disfunctions to give people the chance to have a longer and healthier life,” UH Portage Medical Center Director of Operations and Clinic Services Bryan Adams said.
It marked the end of a six-month construction project that was funded with a $1.4 million donation from the Portage Medical Center foundation.
Although the Hospital hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the new catheterization & electrophysiology lab has already received patients and performed the first cardiac ablation, a treatment for irregular heartbeats, in Portage County history.
In addition to now being able to perform cardiac ablations in Portage County, the new lab is equipped with a new x-ray machine that is bolted on the ceiling and floor, new scanners and new electrophysiology equipment.
“It prevents life-threatening and abnormal heart rates and allows people to lead a normal life,” said registered nurse and head of community outreach Marc Streem.
Several staff members came to witness the unveiling, but Portage County officials were also in attendance including Ravenna Mayor Frank Seman, Portage County Commissioners Tony Badalamenti and Mike Tinlin and Veterans Outreach Representative Chad Gimmi, who represented the office of United States Congressman Dave Joyce, presenting the Hospital with a proclamation of recognition on behalf of Joyce.
Adams thanked the efforts of all of the construction and contracting companies that built the new lab as well as the board members and administrators who helped raise the funds.
“Thank you for your consistent support on this project and many other projects,” Adams said in his address. “Thank you for all you do for our community and for ensuring we can deliver high quality health care.”
Cardiologist Dr. Anjan Gupta took his turn to address the attendees.
“One of the biggest reasons I came here was Dr. Albert Tsai,” Dr. Gupta noted. “He met with me and expressed his vision of what he wanted. He had fought quite hard for a long time to make the vision possible. I wanted to carry on with his vision and take his center to the next level.”
Dr. Gupta also spoke about the impact of the UH Potage Medical Center now doing cardiac ablations.
By now performing cardiac ablations in the new lab along with cardiovascular and pulmonary edema procedures, Dr. Gupta said the cardiology department was in a better position to serve the Portage County community.
Electrophysiologist Dr. Antonio Sotolongo also offered some brief remarks.
He began by emphasizing the strides the hospital had made in upgrading the equipment for the new catheterization and electrophysiology lab.
“A lot was very old and we have really turned it into a state of the art laboratory so it has been really impressive,” he said. “It took a long time but we finally got it done and I would also like to thank our wonderful catheterization staff since we started. These guys have a great work ethic.”
Dr. Sotolongo also took some time to explain what electrophysiology meant to cardiac care. In his own words, he referred to himself as the electrician of the heart.
In addition to cardiac issues arising from blockages, Dr. Sotolongo noted issues that could arise from the heart’s electrical systems which could lead to supraventricular tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), atrial flutters (rapid beating of the upper chamber of the heart) and ventricular arrhythmia (rapid beating of the lower chamber of the heart).
He had had previously performed procedures for these issues at the Ahuja Medical Center in Cleveland but this care was now closer to home.
“A lot of these procedures should be done locally, and they will not have to travel and I think it will be a more efficient and effective complete care and this community deserves it,” he said. “I am happy we are finally getting started with many more procedures to come.”
Portage Medical Center Foundation and regional director of development Shawn Gordon also offered a few closing remarks.
“I am so grateful for my board members who are here,” she said. “They are wonderful, loving and caring community members who know how important it is to take quality care of the folks that live here so thank you for all of your hard work. I just really appreciate everyone’s support in this hospital and this community.”
With a new catheterization and electrophysiology lab up and running, up-to-date cardiac care is now a heartbeat away for all future patients.
