HCA Affiliated Rio Grande Regional Hospital
Performs First Pediatric Open Heart Surgery in the Valley

McAllen, Texas, June 9, 2009—Surgeons at HCA affiliated Rio Grande Regional Hospital have performed the area’s first pediatric open heart surgery. The surgery was performed on Tuesday, June 9th by a team that included, from Rio Grande Regional Hospital:  Dr. Assad Alhroob, Pediatric Cardiologist; Dr. Muhammad A. Khan, Pediatric Cardiologist; Dr. Daniel Martinez, Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgeon; Dr. Michael Gorena, Pediatric Anesthesiologist; and from Methodist Children’s Hospital of South Texas in San Antonio, an HCA and Methodist Healthcare Ministries partnership hospital, Dr. John Kupferschmid, Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgeon; and Dr. Jorge Guerrero, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist.

The three-year -old patient, Sergio Peña, was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect (ASD) when he was 8 months old. ASD is an abnormal opening in the wall (septum) that divides the two upper chambers of the heart (atria). The hole in the septum can allow too much blood to flow into the lungs damaging the blood vessels. If not treated, the damage can be permanent leading to exercise intolerance and a shortened life expectancy.

In order to repair Sergio’s heart defect, doctors at Rio Grande Regional Hospital performed an atrial septal defect closure procedure to correct the abnormal opening. The procedure is an open heart surgery in which doctors will repair the hole in the heart. Once the surgery is complete, most patients fully recover to lead normal lives.

“We see the children for at least a year before the best course of treatment is determined,” explained Dr. Alhroob, “I love to treat children; I love to see them healthy. I have six children of my own and I can tell you that it is always safer for the child to get treatment without having to travel.”

Before Rio Grande Regional Hospital offered this type of pediatric cardiovascular surgery, children and their families had to leave the Valley to receive treatment.

“We are excited about the tremendous growth and new services being offered through our Pediatric Pavilion,” said Greg Seiler, CEO, Rio Grande Regional Hospital. “The fact that these types of complex surgical procedures are beginning to be performed on children in the Valley, exemplifies that advanced healthcare is available, close to home.  Our goal is to reduce the need for children and their families to leave the Valley to receive advanced pediatric medical care.”

Valley native, Dr. Daniel Martinez, Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgeon, who was born and raised in the P-SJ-A area stated, “I am glad to perform this much-needed and highly skilled procedure in my community.  This procedure indicates that we are taking steps in the right direction to provide advanced healthcare in the Valley.” 

For over a year, the surgical “Heart Team” along with the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit nursing staff at Rio Grande Regional Hospital have traveled to San Antonio’s Methodist Children’s Hospital of South Texas to receive specialized hands-on training with Methodist’s physicians and nurses.  Kathy Dassler, Chief Nursing Officer, Rio Grande Regional Hospital commented, “The collaborative efforts of Methodist and their willingness to share their expertise with us has helped the preparation process to run smoothly.  Our staff is excited and ready to implement this new service, in which they have received many hours of specialized education to care for our pediatric patients.” 

About Rio Grande Regional Hospital
Founded in 1982, Rio Grande Regional Hospital is a 320-bed, full service, acute-care medical facility serving the Rio Grande Valley.  In addition to the recent opening of the Pediatric Pavilion, Rio Grande Regional Hospital offers services in over 35 specialties including: Intensive Care for Adults, Pediatric and Neonatal Care; Cardiac Care; Surgical Services; Radiology;  Women’s Services; Diabetes Management; Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy; and Level IV Trauma Services.