In the summer of 2022, Andrea Ferguson was preparing for back surgery at UPMC Presbyterian. In preparation for surgery, she had a pre-operative echocardiogram. Her primary care provider expressed concern with the results.
Their concern led Andrea to UPMC Bedford Blair Medical Associates (Cardiology), where she saw Cassandra Fisher, CRNP, a UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute nurse practitioner. Cassandra recommended a pharmacological stress test, using medication rather than exercise.
Based on the results, Cassandra ordered a cardiac catheterization. Cardiologist George Jabbour, MD, at UPMC Altoona, performed the procedure. It involves threading a long tube from the radial artery in a patient’s wrist to their heart to check for any issues.
“It revealed that I had three complete blockages,” Andrea recalls. “I was surprised because I had no symptoms, no chest pain, and no shortness of breath.”
Preparing for Surgery
Andrea’s next visit was with Daniel Ciaburri, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon.
“I appreciated his honesty,” Andrea explains. “He knew there were blockages in my arteries, and we talked about the procedure that could remedy the situation.”
In January 2023, Dr. Ciaburri performed coronary artery bypass surgery, taking a healthy blood vessel from Andrea’s right leg and grafting it into her heart to reroute blood around the blockages.
“Everything went very well,” Andrea says. “I was out of bed the next day, walking the halls of the hospital with a nurse. I felt no pain.”
The Road to Recovery
After returning home, the Bedford resident scheduled a series of follow-up appointments with Cassandra — starting once a month, then every two months, and then every three.
“And now, I only see her annually,” Andrea explains. “They’re so on the ball in that office. When they say they’re going to call you, they call you. They get you fast prescriptions. You’re never just a number to them. They’re so nice and treat you like a human being.”
And Andrea is grateful to have her life back, thanks to the comprehensive care she received at UPMC.
“I’m working 20 hours a week at the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, which I really enjoy. I get to attend lots of events, and it keeps me active.”
Andrea’s treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.