Central Valley Doctors Health System’s Coordination of Care Saves Young Mother’s Life with World’s Smallest Type of Heart Pump

Thanks to coordination of care, innovative technology, and advanced techniques, two of the Central Valley Doctors Health System hospitals in California were able to take quick action to save a young mother’s life and her heart.

A 26-year-old patient went into cardiac arrest as she was prepped for a gall bladder procedure at Emanuel Medical Center (EMC) in Turlock, California. It was determined that she had postpartum cardiomyopathy – a rare type of heart failure with vague symptoms that can start in the last month of pregnancy or within five months after the birth. She had given birth four months prior.

The patient was stabilized, but in critical condition. Although EMC physicians were able to revive the heart, her blood pressure was very low. She was in cardiogenic shock, which put vital organs at risk of damage. The patient needed a transfer to a facility with the highest acuity of heart care.

The emergency team at EMC knew that Dr. Zachary Brewer, a cardiothoracic surgeon with experience in extreme cases, was at Doctors Medical Center (DMC) of Modesto. After confirmation that DMC had the flexibility in volume and staffing to accept the urgent transfer, the facilities coordinated the patient’s 19-mile airlift to DMC.

After assessment on arrival at DMC, Dr. Brewer recommended and implemented the Impella – the world’s smallest type of heart pump – to assist with blood flow, allowing the patient’s heart to rest and recover. The tiny pump was installed through an artery to her heart, and she had it for three days.

“Her function improved dramatically as soon as we put the pump in,” said Brewer. “The fact that she is doing so well and will not need a heart transplant really illustrates the tremendous quality and coordination of care at Central Valley Doctors hospitals. To have this advanced, technological level of care means many of the complex cases do not have to be transported outside the region. It’s a tremendous asset to our communities.”