THE PATIENT SHOULD TAKE CARE OF HIS OWN HEALTH, AND ENTRUST THE TREATMENT OF THE DISEASE TO DOCTORS

At the age of 67, Vadim Viktorovich was faced with a serious diagnosis that put him and his loved ones before an important choice: take a risk or accept it.

UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTIES, INITIAL WORRIES AND THE SEARCH FOR A SOLUTION

Vadim Viktorovich: I have never experienced serious health problems. In his youth, he played sports, went to doctors extremely rarely and felt great until the age of 67, without having any problems. But last summer, walking in the park, I suddenly felt that I was suffocating and could not walk faster. It was strange — I used to always walk fast and without problems. At first I didn't pay attention to it, but soon the situation repeated itself: at work, going up to the fifth floor, I realized that I couldn't continue. I was very scared.

The patient's spouse: We went to the district polyclinic, a cardiologist examined us and offered urgent hospitalization. It was a shock, but it was not possible to solve the problem in one ambulance ride. That's how our wanderings began in hospitals and clinics, from doctor to doctor: somewhere there was no necessary equipment, somewhere there were specialists.

We were offered to wait a year for quota treatment. But we didn't have this year, we didn't have the opportunity to wait. We realized that there might not be enough time, that we only have a few months. In search of salvation, we made an appointment with a cardiac surgeon Dmitry Viktorovich Shmatov.

D.V. Shmatov, Deputy Director of the Medical Department (Cardiac Surgery), Doctor of Cardiovascular Surgery, MD, Professor, Head of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at St. Petersburg State University Medical Institute:

At the time of treatment, the patient had a maximum lesion of the arteries of the coronary vessels and heart valves, ischemic disease. It's hard to say why this happened. Whether the cause was a heart defect diagnosed in childhood or the fact that the patient as a whole was never examined. We had to replace three heart valves and bypass three coronary arteries. This is the maximum defeat in cardiac surgery, but we took it up. Not because of ambition, but solely because we have assembled a highly qualified team in the clinic, ready to provide assistance at all stages of the patient's treatment. Even in the most difficult cases.

NOTE

Various heart valve defects require replacement of the affected valve with a mechanical or biological prosthesis. As a rule, heart valve replacement is resorted to in case of futility of drug treatment and inability to perform plastic surgery on the valve.

Coronary bypass surgery is an operation aimed at restoring impaired blood flow in the heart muscle and creating new blood circulation routes, bypassing damaged arteries, which avoids angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death.

THE DAY OF THE OPERATION IS MY SECOND BIRTHDAY

The operation lasted five hours. All this time, the spouse was in the hospital waiting for the results. The doctors informed her that the operation was successful. Vadim Viktorovich spent two days in intensive care under the supervision of a team of anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists, and on the third day he was transferred to the department.

The patient's wife: Dmitry Viktorovich allowed me to come the very next day, met me, took me to the intensive care unit. Sometimes native children do not treat their parents the way the Clinic staff treated us.

My husband was just glad that he was alive. That I support him, that I am always there for him, that he is surrounded by care, understanding and attention in the hospital. The clinic staff, including nurses and doctors, worked at the highest level, and even after discharge I did not experience any problems. We are glad that we have chosen this particular clinic for the treatment of the heart. For any other help, now only here: we have not seen such an attitude towards patients anywhere else.

The postoperative observation of the patient was performed by a cardiologist Natalia Davydova. She wrote recommendations for treatment after the hospital and recommended a specialized sanatorium. A week after the operation, the patient went home with recommendations for further treatment and follow-up. All this time, the spouse was nearby, and the doctors continue to communicate with the family even after discharge.

Vadim Viktorovich: Now I feel that there are no aggravations, consequences, side effects. Therefore, you should not be afraid of surgery. Even in my case, which everyone recognized as very difficult. Don't be afraid! Go to the St. Petersburg State University clinic, trust the doctors and nurses. For us, surgery is an event, and for professional doctors, every operation, even the most difficult one, has already been worked out. Just go, with full confidence in the medical staff. And when preparing for surgery, believe that everything will be fine, remember that overcoming fear is healing, think about how you will live and enjoy life.

NEW LIFE

Today Vadim Viktorovich is working and feels better than ever before. He returned to work, drives a car, went on vacation to the sea and no longer has difficulty climbing stairs. He gained weight, which he lost during his illness, takes prescribed medications and follows all the recommendations of his doctors.

Vadim Viktorovich: Thanks to the operation, a really amazing period has come in my life when you understand the value of life. No one told me that I could set up plans for 20 years ahead, but I did — my well-being allows. And that's fine.

D.V. Shmatov, Deputy Director of the Medical Department (Cardiac Surgery), Doctor of Cardiovascular Surgery, MD, Professor, Head of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at St. Petersburg State University Medical Institute:

Among 800 patients per year, two or three people come across with such a complex diagnosis. And we are ready to operate on them. But our experience shows that half of the success of any operation is a motivated patient and the support of loved ones. Without the patient's desire and motivation, even the most brilliant surgeon will not be able to cure him. The patient should take care of his own health, and the doctor should treat diseases.

And using the example of the Gorbunov family, we see that only the teamwork of doctors and family can give such a high result.