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5
Arne’s story
Stroke strikes fast. So should you.
Knowing the symptoms of stroke and
calling 9-1-1 immediately if someone
appears to be having a stroke are crucial
steps in getting prompt emergency care.
Treatments are available that can reduce
the damage caused by the stroke for some
victims, but these treatments need to be
given soon after the symptoms start.
Stroke care at Kadlec
Kadlec Regional Medical Center is
a Primary Stroke Center, a certification
that reflects Kadlec’s record of — and
commitment to — providing the time-
sensitive care paramount to ensuring stroke
patients the best chance of recovery.
Kadlec provides the most up-to-date
treatments available from evaluation
through recovery and rehabilitation.
There are ways you can
reduce your risk of stroke. See
Pacesetter
online to see how.
Kadlec is a Primary
Stroke Center
In 2009, Arne Swanson underwent an emergency cardiac catheterization
performed through his femoral artery after he inexplicably lost consciousness.
Just three years later, in March of 2012, 55-year-old Arne had another
cardiac catheterization after experiencing
a heart attack. This time, the entry point
was a radial artery in his arm and
performed at Kadlec Regional
Medical Center by interventional
cardiologist Fadi Alqaisi, MD.
“Following the first procedure, I
had to be perfectly still for six to
eight hours, couldn’t eat and
my family and friends could
not visit,” he said. “I was
very sore, had severe
bruising and swelling at the site. There clearly were
challenges for the first 72 hours.”
According to Arne, who now lives in
Pendleton, Ore., and was transported to Kadlec
from St. Anthony Hospital, his experience
following the radial catheterization was
significantly different.
“The preparation of the procedure was so easy,”
he said. “When Dr. Alqaisi arrived, he asked if
I would consider a radial catheterization. He
carefully explained it all and I agreed to have
it done through my arm.
“When it was over, I couldn’t believe it. It was quick, pain free and Dr. Alqaisi
talked me through the whole procedure,” said Arne. “And, when it was over, it was
over. The recovery was so different. They sat me up immediately, I transferred myself
to the hospital bed, and they put a little armband on my wrist to put pressure on the
entry site.”
Once he got back to his room he was able to visit with family, order food from
the menu and get up from his bed when he wanted. This all combines to reduce the
anxiety level associated with the procedure, Arne said.
Not everyone undergoing the procedure through the femoral artery will have severe
bruising or swelling, according to Dr. Alqaisi, but the risk to run into these kinds of
complications is higher with the femoral approach, especially if strong blood thinners
are used when treating blockages in the arteries, he said.
“It’s a dramatic difference. I am the poster child to show the difference between
the two procedures,” Arne said.
“I am extraordinarily impressed with Dr. Alqaisi. He is a physician in full mastery
of the procedure. He is very caring and made certain I fully understood what was
happening.”
Arne was also impressed with the care he received from the staff at Kadlec. “The
Emergency Department treated us with respect and did everything they could to make
us comfortable. The nursing staff throughout the hospital was very professional. The
customer service was incredible.”
“It’s a dramatic
difference. I am
the poster child to
show the difference
between the two
procedures.”
— Arne Swanson
May is Stroke
Awareness Month
ace.
Ask the person to smile.
Does the face droop on one side
when the person smiles?
rm.
Ask the person to raise
both arms. Does one of the
arms drift downwards?
peech.
Ask the person to
repeat a simple phrase. Does
the person’s speech sound
slurred or strange?
ime.
If you observe any of these
signs, call 9-1-1 immediately and
ask for medical assistance. Also,
check the time so you’ll know when
the first symptoms appeared.
F
A
S
T
Use FAST to remember the warning signs:
Learn the warning signs
of stroke and act fast