A remarkable medical breakthrough has allowed Bob Siemer, a 70-year-old heart disease survivor, to regain his health after being told that further surgery was impossible. Following three major heart surgeries and a series of life-threatening complications, Siemer underwent an innovative procedure that restored blood flow to his heart without reopening his chest.
Siemer’s heart issues began at the age of 49, leading him to his first open-heart surgery. Over the next 15 years, he faced multiple setbacks, including a valve replacement that wore out and a severe case of endocarditis, an infection that nearly cost him his life. “I got very, very sick and I was just I think I was only a day or so, maybe from dying from this,” Siemer recalled. He lost a leg and several toes during his health struggles, yet he persevered.
By the time he consulted with Dr. Jarrod Frizzell, director of Complex Corner Therapeutics at Christ Hospital, Siemer’s condition had become dire. “When he came to me, this bypass graft was gone,” Frizzell explained. Siemer had only indirect blood flow to his heart, which was severely compromised due to a 99% blockage in a branch vessel.
Frizzell, known for his expertise in handling complex cases, devised a new approach to restore Siemer’s heart function. Instead of traditional surgery, he utilized a stent procedure that involved cutting through scar tissue and creating arteries using a technique called electrocautery. This innovative method allowed for the reestablishment of normal blood flow to Siemer’s heart. “For people that have been told there’s no options, there’s nothing we can do… we’ve got ways around that,” Frizzell noted.
The procedure proved successful, and Siemer experienced a remarkable recovery. Just one week later, he was hiking, demonstrating an impressive turnaround from his previous state of health. His case has been documented in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, highlighting the potential of this technique for other patients facing similar challenges.
Siemer’s story serves as an inspiring example of resilience and the advancements in cardiac care. With the support of dedicated medical professionals like Frizzell, patients who have been deemed out of options may find new hope for their conditions. As Siemer continues to thrive, he embodies the spirit of survival against all odds.
