An ambulance took her to Mountainside Medical Center, part of Hackensack Meridian Health. Emer was examined by the Emergency Department team and then admitted to the hospital, where she was examined by cardiologists Ankitkumar Patel, M.D., MPH, FACC, and Dusan Knezevic, M.D., FACC. She underwent cardiac catheterization completely through her arm (radial artery and brachial vein approach) and transesophageal echocardiography. Test results showed that her mitral valve, which ensures that blood flows through the heart, was in need of repair.

“I had no heart problems prior to this episode, but the doctors said that my mitral valve was damaged and I was getting only about half as much oxygen as I needed,” she says. Emer had surgery scheduled for the following week.

Surgical Intervention Needed Fast

All was well until Emer experienced difficulty breathing again a few days later. She returned to Mountainside, where Drs. Knezevic and Patel determined that her mitral valve had deteriorated further and had her urgently transferred to Hackensack University Medical Center for specialty surgical care.

The next day, cardiothoracic surgeon Mark Anderson, M.D., FACS, a nationally recognized expert in minimally invasive heart surgery, delicately repaired Emer’s mitral valve. First, he made several small holes in her chest, where he inserted catheters. He then threaded a tiny camera and slender surgical tools through to reach and repair her mitral valve. The surgery enabled Emer’s heart to pump blood more efficiently almost immediately.

“With major advances in minimally invasive surgery, we can repair or even replace the mitral valve with less blood, less trauma and reduced recovery time than in traditional open surgery,” says Dr. Anderson.

Emer recovered in the Intensive Care Unit for two days before being transferred to a cardiac unit for a few more days of observation. She was struck by the efficiency and compassion of the cardiac staff.

“The care was consistently amazing,” says Emer. “I was astonished at how well-trained the staff was and so impressed with the level of attention from every one of them.”

Back To Her Regular Routine

Emer returned to her home with her daughter’s assistance. Three weeks after her surgery, she felt well enough to delve back into her accounting business.

“I believe that I recovered quickly because of how well I was treated at Hackensack,”

Emer says. “Before surgery, family and friends encouraged me to go to New York City for treatment, but I did my research and chose Hackensack because it came very highly recommended.” Emer’s follow-up care is orchestrated by Drs. Patel and Knezevic. Her mitral valve function is assessed regularly, and she visits Mountainside for cardiac rehabilitation to keep her heart in shape.

“Coordination of care is part of our multidisciplinary approach at Hackensack Meridian Health’s network of hospitals,” says Dr. Patel, medical director of Mountainside’s Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and associate director of the Structural and Congenital Heart Center at Hackensack. “Ensuring a smooth flow of services is important to patients like Emer, who want the latest advances and convenience as well as medical expertise.”

With her mitral valve repaired and her heart working splendidly, Emer was glad to get back to feeling like herself again, tending to her prize-winning garden.

“I am beholden to Hackensack for everything they did for me,” Emer says. “They got me back to my life and my garden, and for that, I am very grateful.”