When Exercise Isn't Enough: Jack's Unexpected Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Meet Jack. Jack exercises regularly and is physically fit but understands the importance of monitoring his cardiovascular health. During an appointment at UPMC Bedford Blair Medical Associates (Cardiology), Jack met with Cassandra Fisher, CRNP, a UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute nurse practitioner. She encouraged him to take some tests.
"I was really impressed with her demeanor," Jack recalls. "I had no symptoms and didn't see the need for any scans or imaging, but she nicely asked that I satisfy her curiosity."
Jack adds that he "didn't really struggle" during his stress test, but "Cassie saw something she didn't like." She ordered a cardiac catheterization, which involves threading a long tube through a patient's arteries to get a closer look at the heart.
This procedure revealed that Jack had a 90% blockage in his left anterior descending artery, which supplies blood to the front of the heart. He would need coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) to address the issue.
"That news was like a punch in the gut," Jack says. "My parents had been through similar procedures, and I wanted to explore my options."
The Road To UPMC
Jack learned about Johannes Bonatti, MD, who performs robotic-assisted CABG. In May 2024, he traveled to Pittsburgh to meet with the world-renowned expert.
During that conversation, the team determined that Jack would be eligible for surgery. It wasn't long before Dr. Bonatti performed the procedure at UPMC Passavant.
"It went very well," Jack explains. "I was up walking the next day and discharged just a few days later."
The 62-year-old then headed home – but says he'll never forget his positive experience with the UPMC team.
"Dr. Bonatti is a blessed man. He's such a talent and has such an amazing level of competency. He really knows his stuff.
"The rest of the team was outstanding as well. Before we came to Pittsburgh, they provided my wife and me with hotel information and directions to the hospital, and then during surgery, they kept her informed about every aspect of what was happening."
The two physician assistants who treated Jack during his hospital stay – Richelle Arlia, PA-C and Noah Salsi, PA-C – also left a lasting impression.
"They were super, especially with the ongoing maintenance of my condition and providing post-operative care."
"Putting the 'Care' Back In Health Care"
Jack is now back in Bedford County and feels at full strength. However, if it wasn't for a certain nurse practitioner, he may never have known he wasn't there to begin with.
"I truly believe that Cassie saved my life," Jack says with a smile. "When talking to her, I never felt rushed. She took the time to thoroughly educate me, answer all of my questions, and explain her rationale. Cassie is truly putting the 'care' back in health care."
Jack's treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.