HEAD OF THE CLASS IN CARDIAC CARE
Royal Columbian treats more emergency heart attacks than any other hospital in the province
As students enjoyed the first days of summer vacation, Darren Stewart was closing the books on the 2015-16 school year. The 49-year old principal of Como Lake Middle School in Coquitlam was at home, winding down for the night, when he felt a discomfort he attributed to indigestion.
“I would go to bed and try to fall asleep, but it wasn’t happening,” remembers Darren about a restless night trying to shake off his symptoms. “Eventually, I said to my wife we need to phone 911.”
First responders confirmed Darren was having a heart attack, and he was sent by ambulance to Royal Columbian Hospital – B.C.’s busiest cardiac centre, providing care for more than 1.8 million people.
Within minutes of arriving at the hospital, his heart completely stopped.
“He had incessant cardiac arrests in the emergency room,” says interventional cardiologist Dr. Gerald Simkus. “He had to be defibrillated multiple, multiple times, every minute or two.”
As they tried repeatedly to restore a heartbeat, the medical team decided to rush him to the cardiac cath lab while still undergoing regular defibrillation and mechanical CPR.
“We would clear, zap, and go back to work,” says Dr. Simkus.
As they repeated this life-saving effort, Dr. Simkus and the cath lab team managed to identify the problem artery and open it with a balloon and stent. Close to an hour after Darren first went into cardiac arrest, he finally stabilized.
“I just feel very lucky and fortunate,” says Darren about the medical efforts required to save his life. “To think that this is my story is very surreal.”
Donors to Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation play a critical role in supporting cardiac care. To donate, visit www.rchfoundation.com or call 604-520-4438