By Charles J. Horn, Medical Student
Friday:
Drs. Pezzella, Kamlot, and Wilson (cardiothoracic surgeons), and Sofia Rodrigues (ultrasound tech) arrive in Milot, Haiti.
Clinic – 36 patients were evaluated in clinic.
Saturday:
Morning clinic started at 8:30 AM on Saturday morning Drs. Pezzella and Kamlot visited with, examined, and evaluated 2-D echocardiograms on 12 patients. Their chief complaints were varied. Many complained of shortness of breath with exertion, or vague chest discomfort. Conditions diagnosed included valvular disease (tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary stenosis, pulmonary insufficiency, mitral regurgitation, aortic stenosis, aortic insufficiency,) congenital anomalies such as ventricular septal defects, and congestive heart failure. The 2-D echocardiograms were performed by Sofia Rodriguez using a Philips CX-50 portable ultrasound machine. With the help of an interpreter and Dr. Kamlot’s illustrations, recommendations were given to each patient. Many were reassured that their heart was normal or that they did not require any intervention. Others were instructed to follow-up on a regular basis for future echocardiograms in order to monitor their condition.
Sunday:
Part of team goes to visit the Palace and Citadel (a World Heritage site.) Supply preparation.
Monday:
Secundum atrial septum defect repair on 22 year old Haitian female.
Primary surgeon- Dr. Wilson.
Secondary surgeon- Dr. Pezzella.
Assistant- Tia Phillips
Surgical tech- Ray Rogers.
Charge nurse- Jackie Butler.
Anesthesia- Dr. Zaidi.
Monday evening- trauma case, MVA vs. pedestrian. 65 yo female with comminuted open right femur fracture and hypovolemic shock. The patient was successfully resuscitated by the Haitian medical staff and visiting cardiac surgery team working together. The patient underwent an above-the-knee amputation and did well post-operatively. She will follow-up with the CRUDEM prosthetics lab.
Tuesday:
Mitral valve replacement on a 42 year old Haitian female.
Primary surgeon- Dr. Kamlot.
Secondary surgeon- Dr. Wilson.
Assistant- Tia Phillips.
Surgical tech- Ray Rogers.
Charge nurse- Jackie Butler.
Anesthesia- Dr. Zaidi.
Intraoperative ultrasound technician- Sofia Rodrigues.
Wednesday-Thursday:
Post-operative care of patients in the ICU. Inpatient consults in the hospital included 2 patients with rheumatic heart disease and 2 patients with coronary artery disease.
Friday:
A group from Hôpital Sacré Cour in Milot visited Justinien Hospital (Hôpital Universitaire Justinien) in nearby Cap Haitian. The group included cardiac surgeons Drs. Pezzella, Kamlot, family physicians Drs. Pechinsky and Aviva, Haitian surgeon Dr. Bernard, and medical student Charlie Horn. The group was met by the medical director who gave a tour of the facilities. The group also met with heads of departments including orthopedics, surgery, medicine, infectious disease, family medicine, and psychology. Plans were made for increased partnership and sharing between Hôpital Sacré Cour and Justinien Hospital.
