First Pacemaker implantation procedure performed in BVI
Dr. Heskith Vanterpool - Sunday, December 19th, 2010 at 8:19 AM
The First Pacemaker Implantation Procedure to be performed in the BVI occurred on December 18, 2010, at the Bougainvillea Clinic. The procedure was performed by Dr. Heskith Vanterpool, assisted by a team of specialists, which included eminent visiting cardiologist, Dr. Kendall Griffith form St. Croix , USVI.
Cynthia Hassett, the Caribbean Area Manager from Medtronic Corporation, one of the largest makers of pacemaker devices, was also present to test and program. Several other members of the team were on hand to assist with the procedure, including Dr. Cheryl Fee, anesthetist, as well as several nurses and a radiographer.
The dual chamber implantation procedure went smoothly and was completed in about 90 minutes.
The normal heart is ingeniously engineered. There is normally an orderly pattern of electrical activity that occurs spontaneously and this causes the heart muscle to contract in an orderly and efficient manner. All cells in the heart have the potential to initiate a heartbeat but one small group of specialized cells, called the SA node, in the right atrium have the highest potential to do so and therefore normally control the rate, i.e., it sets the pace for the heartbeat [at 60-80 bpm at rest, and faster during exercise].
The SA node is therefore normally called the pacemaker of the heart. From the right atrium the electrical impulse spreads to the ventricles, through specialized electrical fibers which include another group of cells called the AV node ( another potential pacemaker, but which is slower[30-40 bpm] than the SA node). When there is a blockage in the passage of the impulse from the right atrium to the ventricles, the AV node takes over as the pacemaker, keeping the patient alive but they are likely to feel weak, dizzy and tired and sometimes short of breath.. These feelings will be worse when they exert themselves/ engage in any exercise. Sometimes patients faint completely or complain of chest pain on exertion.
There are several indications for the implantation of a cardiac pacemaker but the most obvious and common one is complete heart block ( complete blockage of passage of the impulse from the atrium to the ventricle) and this is what our patient had . We therefore implanted an artificial pacemaker system to allow the chambers of the heart to beat in an orderly, efficient manner. The improvement in the patients symptoms were immediate. He is unaware of the electrical activity of the pacemaker system
The top of the line, Medtronic Adapta model dual chamber pacemaker device ( a specialized computerized box) was implanted under the skin on the left side of the chest, just below the clavicle and in front of the pectoral muscle. Two leads ( specialized, flexible wires) were threaded through the left subclavian vein into the right side of the heart and securely fixed in place by a tiny screw-like mechanism, one in the right atrium and one in the right ventricle ( hence- dual chamber). A specialized X-ray machine was used to guide the placement of the lead tip before fixing them in place.
Dr. Heskith Vanterpool, cardiologist and medical director of Bougainvillea Clinic, would like to thank all who assisted with creating this piece of history today in the British Virgin Islands. In particular, thanks goes to Dr. Kendall Griffith who has pioneered the development of invasive cardiology in the Virgin Islands and has been the major driving force for the establishment of the Virgin Islands Cardiac Center, in St. Croix. Despite his very busy schedule there, Dr. Griffith makes time to assist other cardiologist colleagues with the development of their practices. Having helped colleagues in Guyana, St. Lucia and Barbados, he has today added one more island to the list – Tortola.
Dr. Vanterpool and his staff at the Bougainvillea Clinic ( hospital) are pleased to be able to offer this new pacemaker implantation service here in BVI, thus in general, removing the need for most patients needing a pacemaker to be transferred off-island for it.
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difficulities arise in the lives of us all. What is most important is dealing with the hard times, coping with the changes, and getting through to the other side where the sun is still shining just for you……..
This is interesting and hope the patient recovers well. Just like to point out that Dr Vanterpool reckons he is an expert on colonoscopy, varicose veins, maybe other areas, and now heart problems. That is too many specialities to be an expert in, and he should beware becoming too confident.
Stunning. So very proud to read this news. Hope recovery goes well
This is good news, no doubt. But there is another side to the news. Let’s not forget Joyce Samuel and a host of us – departed and surviving who have been and continue to be in the care of Dr. Betancourt and overseas cardiologists for want of SUSTAINABLE, AFFORDABLE and COMPASSIONATE cardiological and vascular health care in the BVI. Even with Dr. Vanterpool’s success, heart patients are having a hard time getting the care that they can trust at home as we speak. It is probably one of the best kept secrets in health in these VI that the rate of heart disease is staggering in the BVI. You have only to be in the pacemaker clinics here and especially in PR to see that heart disease here is a serious issue. It is high time that Government sees to it that we have more cardiologists and much better and accessible heart care at home, not only for those who can afford Bouganvillea’s fees but for every John and Jane public who needs it.
Dr. Vanterpool,
I would like to congrulate you on your high achievements in the medical field in the BVI. Indeed this is a good day for the BVI. It is also my prayers that God will continue to keep and bless you. As a little boy in School one could always tell that you would do well in life. Keep God first, In all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path. Congrat. to your wife Jean , a strong and hardworking lady.
Best wishes to the entire team at Bouginvillea Clinic.
Good Luck Doc.
Congratulation Dr. Vanterpool and his Team- Angel M. Rivera -Bretaña -VP Marketing- Atlantic Southern
Insurance Comapy Puerto Rico.
school children say its vip who sent him away to college…no wonder he and the other two ndp doctors enjoying those sweet deals @ the hospital..infact they got more icing on the cake when ndp was in power
People keep forgetting the brave patient who sat through all this… hope him speedy
recovery
@sporadic, This is a very complex procedure, I am glad that locals can carry it out in a professional
manner.
A story like this is always welcomed in a country under a government that is blamed for just
about anything bad.
@exactly, I agree, people only look on the negatives
Nice to see all the development, thumbs up to the doctors involved
@Good Dev, also the patient who lived through it
@Tan ya, well yes…
History is created yet again in the BVI
Put God first and we will succeed… good work Docs
Greatly improved health sector… +1
How much does this operation cost overseas and how much will it cost here?
@gewehr, If it’s cost does not equate cheaper tha fare ticket + operation overseas then it
would not be worth to do the operation here
@guten, here it cost 15,000
Ah just the news that gets you thinking… BVI is moving, the sky is the limit
Ah just the news that gets you thinking… BVI is moving, the sky is the limit
No matter how experienced I would still feel frightened to have been the first to do this
here
Congratulations doctors on a job well done
Great now people wont have to to go overseas to do the procedure!
Good going BVI
God bless all those involved, hope the patient recovers well.
Good going doc
We dont hear alot of things like these, however when we do they usually make our day
Those doctors probably had their hearts in their mouths while doing this
, not because of
inexperience(they were experienced) but because of the sheer weight of history. Good going!
ANother great development, let us thank those doctors for enabling such a critical operation
This is an awesome news for the Sunday, just made the rest of the week for me..
Another field in which BVI is advancing, keep pushing forward
This is a very sensitive and critical operation and it was done successfully here, good work
doctors!
Who is he making PEACE with Admin?!
practice now for ndp will need some next year after elections
@vip loyalist, lol lol why do you say that now?
@vip loyalist, You are a stupid fool. can’t you see beyound party. This historice event had nothing political behind it. Just to show why we need your stupid VIP’s out, how could you lead a nation with such tunnel and archaic vision.
Dr. Vanterpool you have done it again indeed!! Creating history, raising the bar and yet still receiving the financial benefit. It is very costly to travel overseas to undergo this procedure and here again you have alleviated much in this one such case. Ministry of Health, BVI Health Services Authority look up and look around…the BAR has been RAISED….you need to be on the competing edge. Get on board, market yourselves as we stay in tuned for being the preferred healthcare provider.
To you my dear Dr. Vanterpool, congratulations and may God continue to bless you in all your endeavours.
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