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Brownsville Man Receives City's 1st Carotid Artery Stent at VBMC-Brownsville

Brownsville -- Cesar Riojas of Brownsville recently became the first patient in Brownsville to receive a carotid stent, a tiny metal device which reduces his risk of having a stroke because of blockages in the blood vessels in the neck. Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville is the first hospital in Brownsville to perform these carotid interventions, as well as aortic stent placements to keep blood flowing to various parts of the body.

“I was amazed and surprised at such an operation,” Mr. Riojas said. “One thing that was amazing was the high quality of instruments they use in the hospital … you know, beautiful equipment.”

If VBMC-Brownsville’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab did not offer the carotid stent procedure, Mr. Riojas would have had to go out of town for the procedure. “I’m glad that it was done here in Brownsville,” Mr. Riojas said. “I asked people why do I need to go to Houston? We have the hospital and the doctors here.”

Dr. Fadi Alfayoumi, Cardiologist said trust and a good patient-physician relationship helped make possible the pioneering procedure in Brownsville. “The patient himself was very excited about the idea of being the first in Brownsville,” Dr. Alfayoumi said.

In addition to Dr. Alfayoumi, cardiologists at VBMC-Brownsville include Dr. Mark Cua, Dr. Jaime Gomez Jr., Dr. Kalim Habet, Dr. Robert Lootens, and Dr. Roberto Robles of the Heart Institute of Brownsville; and Dr. Jaime Silva. Cardiothoracic Surgeons at VBMC-Brownsville include Dr. Jaime Villarreal and Dr. Okezika Okereke.

Rudy Sanchez, RN, Director of Cardiovascular Services for Valley Baptist-Brownsville, said it’s an exciting time for heart care in Brownsville, with the VBMC-Brownsville Cath Lab team participating in many “firsts” for the city. “Patients can now stay right here, at home, so they have their family to support them,” Mr. Sanchez said.

Valley Baptist-Brownsville was recently recognized by the Alliance for Cardiac Care Excellence for making significant improvements in cardiac care. The ACE coalition is made up of organizations such as the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. VBMC-Brownsville also was the only hospital in Texas – and one of only 12 in the nation -- to receive the “Triple Crown” award for coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke treatment from the American Heart Association in 2007.

“We are pleased to be recognized for the improvements and impacts we have made in our cardiac patient care,” said Leslie Bingham, Chief Executive Officer for Valley Baptist-Brownsville. “We are dedicated to ensuring our patients get the best care possible.”

A stent is a tiny lattice-shaped, metal tube which is implanted inside a blood vessel, at trouble spots where blockages have formed. Stents act like miniature scaffolds, holding up the walls of an artery so the blood vessel doesn’t collapse upon itself.

For more information on new treatments for heart disease, contact your physician and visit www.ValleyBaptist.net.