Back on the dance floor after heart failure treatment

At 85 years old, Bucks County resident Norma McPeak has a very full calendar. With five children, 18 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, many of whom live close by, there are always exciting family events and milestones to attend. In addition to enjoying a busy family life, “I’m pretty active for my age,” said McPeak. “I live in a wonderful retirement community and have a lot of fun playing Rummikub and Bunko with friends,” she said.

Last year, as McPeak and her family eagerly anticipated celebrating three family weddings, “I just wasn’t feeling well,” she said. She wondered if her fatigue could be attributed to her atrial fibrillation (AFib). “In the morning, I would get up and was so exhausted—more than ever before.”

“When I went to see my cardiologist at Doylestown Health, Francis Grzywacz, MD, he immediately referred me to his colleague, cardiothoracic surgeon Anthony Tran, MD, for surgery.” McPeak’s heart condition had progressed, and she was diagnosed with chronic congestive heart failure from her failing heart valves. This diagnosis might seem overwhelming for many patients; however, “I just wanted to know if I could dance at the wedding!” McPeak said.

Comprehensive cardiovascular care

She approached her surgery with a positive attitude. “The cardiac care at Doylestown Health is phenomenal. Everyone is so kind!” Being close to home also allowed visits from her extended family during her preoperative inpatient stay.

“I tell all my patients that surgery is an insult to the body, no matter how it’s done,” Tran said. “Admitting Norma preoperatively gave our team the ability to optimize her in order to take that insult. We were able to drain excess fluid from her heart failure, optimize her breathing, and get her heart ready to take the stress of surgery.”

For high-risk patients like McPeak, Doylestown Health’s Woodall Center for Heart and Vascular Care provides highly advanced care using innovative technology. Experts deliver routine and specialized cardiovascular treatment and prevention services with a personalized approach. Cardiologists are at the core of the Woodall Center for Heart and Vascular Care’s multidisciplinary team of specialists, which also includes cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists, radiologists, and vascular surgeons. Tran is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon trained in all aspects of adult cardiothoracic surgery, including structural heart, valve repair, and valve-sparing procedures.

Patient education and family support are also critically important to good outcomes. “For patients, having to undergo surgery is a daunting task,” Tran said. “I strive to explain the pathology and goals of the surgery clearly, and when I arrived at Doylestown Health, I added whiteboards in each examination room. I find that drawing really aids in patient understanding.”

McPeak recalled, “Dr. Tran put me at ease, and he walked me and my family through what would take place. He listened and was so kind.”

The seamless integration of Doylestown Health’s cardiovascular program is paramount to patient success. According to Tran, “Cases like Norma’s require a direct line of communication between the cardiologist, interventional cardiologist, and the surgeon. We discussed alternatives given the risk of her age, reviewed her imaging together, and ultimately came up with a plan. At Doylestown Hospital, we pride ourselves on the quality of patient care. A key aspect in delivering that care is clear and open communication among disciplines.”

Approaching cardiac surgery with a smile

During the open-heart surgery, both of McPeak’s leaky heart valves were successfully repaired. She “underwent a mitral and tricuspid valve repair, and in order to reduce her atrial fibrillation burden and stroke risk, a full ablation (MAZE) procedure was performed along with exclusion of her left atrial appendage,” said Tran. “Many of the strokes that occur come from the left atrial appendage in patients with this arrhythmia.”

As she began the recovery process, McPeak appreciated the personal attention she received and praises her care team wholeheartedly. “The entire experience was amazing. The nurses were kind and attentive, and the transitional care nurse who came to my home for a follow-up visit was incredibly smart and genuine. In fact, the communication with all the staff was amazing.”

Dancing to recovery

Continuing her recovery in the Doylestown Health Cardiac Rehabilitation program, McPeak greatly benefited from the personalized nutrition, physical exercise, and camaraderie with other patients. “I gained strength and mobility; it was a tremendous program,” she said.

Tran isn’t surprised to hear that McPeak’s calendar is full again. “I’m very glad she is doing so well,” he said. Between going to new places, keeping up with her Italian language skills, and dancing again at family weddings, “I’m so glad to have my energy again. I have a new lease on life, thanks to Dr. Tran,” said McPeak. “There just aren’t enough words to describe how wonderful he is.”