Staff Reports | Community Updates
In a dramatic and life-saving emergency, doctors at Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital successfully treated and saved the life of a man from Show Low who suffered a ruptured aortic aneurysm — an often-fatal condition with a mortality rate of 75 percent.
A ruptured aortic aneurysm occurs when a bulge in the aorta, the main artery carrying blood from the heart, bursts, causing severe internal bleeding. It’s a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
In March, 67-year-old Raymond Dankert went to an ER in his hometown of Show Low with excruciating lower back pain.
“The last thing I remember is feeling so much severe pain in my back I couldn’t breathe, sit or lie still in the ER; I just couldn’t take it anymore and then I guess I just passed out,” he says.
In fact, his condition was so severe and complex, it was determined he must be emergently air lifted to AAHH if his life was going to be saved.
“I initially got the call at home in the middle of the night, but was promptly notified after that the patient wasn’t stable enough to medically transport to Phoenix,” says Dr. Hammad Amer, vascular surgeon at Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital.
When the helicopter flight nursing staff saw a window of opportunity to airlift Dankert to Phoenix, Dr. Amer was called again, and he had his vascular surgery team ready, prepped, and in place in the operating room when the patient arrived about 30 minutes after the initial call.
“Our rapid-response capabilities exemplify the speed and precision necessary in an instant’s notice. Within 10 minutes of arriving by helicopter, both in shock and critical condition, Mr. Dankert was on the operating table, and we had begun the procedure that would ultimately, by the grace of God, save his life,” says Dr. Amer.
Mr. Dankert’s surgical team entered through his groin, using a minimally invasive approach, to deploy stents and seal the rupture in his aorta, effectively stabilizing his condition and saving his life.
“Everything that needed to happen fell into place that night. From the nurses, doctors, helicopter pilot, surgeons, all of them did exactly what had to be done, or I wouldn’t be here today,” says a very grateful Raymond Dankert. “If you ask me, it’s all just amazing,” he said.
