Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital has reached a medical milestone with the successful completion of its first percutaneous pulmonary thrombectomy, a life-saving procedure used to remove dangerous blood clots from the pulmonary artery.
The groundbreaking procedure was performed by Dr. Prakrut Patel, MD, FACC, and the cardiac catheterization laboratory team on Barbara Gilbert, a 74-year-old St. Cloud resident. Using a minimally invasive technique, the team utilized a small needle and catheter, guided by X-ray, to extract a six-inch blood clot from Gilbert’s lung.
Gilbert had been diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, a condition caused by blood clots traveling from the lower extremities to the lungs via the heart. Pulmonary embolism affects approximately 900,000 Americans annually, according to the American Lung Association, and is the third leading cause of cardiovascular death in the United States.
“Pulmonary embolism is the third leading cause of cardiovascular death, which is why a thrombectomy needs to be performed quickly and efficiently,” Dr. Patel said. “Patients in our community can now receive this crucial treatment at Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital and possibly recover at home within a few days.”
The success of this procedure underscores Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital’s growing capabilities in providing advanced cardiac care. Previously, patients with life-threatening pulmonary embolisms often had to travel to other facilities for treatment. This achievement ensures that residents of Osceola County have access to life-saving interventions closer to home.
Barbara Gilbert, the first patient to undergo the procedure, is already recovering well. Her treatment represents hope for others in the community who may face similar life-threatening conditions.
