A 3% Chance of Survival

Bonita Bell was experiencing chest pain and was rushed to the ER at GW Hospital where she collapsed and needed CPR. A CT scan confirmed she had a pulmonary embolism, or large blood clot in her lungs, and had only a three percent chance of survival.

She was placed on an ECMO machine, which keeps the heart and lungs alive when they can’t function on their own. Doctors then used the Inari FlowTriever® System to remove the blood clot to improve her heart function. Today, Bonita is back to being independent and living a full life. “Without the care I received at GW Hospital, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Delaying care today can lead to health problems tomorrow, so don’t put your health on hold. GW Hospital is taking extensive measures during this uncertain time to help keep you safe during your visit. This includes screening all who enter the facility, social distancing, universal masking, isolation of COVID-19 patients, enhanced disinfection, limited visitation and more.

If you’ve had a heart attack or have advanced heart disease such as congestive heart failure, defective heart valves, heart rhythm disorders, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral arterial disease or pulmonary hypertension, we can help improve your quality of life. Cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and other heart specialists at GW Heart offer complete care for all types of heart issues. We combine the latest technology with medical expertise to provide advanced treatment in one convenient location.

Do you have heart disease? Cardiologists at GW Heart can help treat it. If you don’t, we’ll help you keep it that way. Our cardiologists can help identify your risk of developing heart disease and diagnose any conditions you may already have. Services include:

• Advanced heart failure program
• Cardiac CT and MRI to help doctors diagnose heart disease
• Transradial cardiac catheterization to find blockages in arteries
• Angioplasty for treating blocked arteries
• Pacemakers and defibrillators to treat heart rhythm disorders
• Treatments to break up clots caused by deep vein thrombosis
• Pulmonary hypertension program, for patients with this type of high blood pressure

Skilled cardiac surgeons at GW Hospital perform a broad range of cardiovascular procedures. They are nationally recognized for their experience in minimally invasive procedures.

• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and mitral valve repair
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to keep the heart and lungs working
• Coronary artery bypass surgery to restore normal blood flow to a blocked coronary artery
• Left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a pump that helps improve blood flow
• Surgery for congestive heart failure and arrhythmia

Jeffrey Richardson was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. When it became clear that his medication was no longer working, he underwent a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) procedure at GW Hospital. LVAD is a mechanical pump that keeps his heart functioning while he awaits a heart transplant. “I would like to thank GW Hospital, the doctors, nurses, the staff for just being there for me at a time when I wasn’t able to carry on.”

GW Cardiac Surgery

2131 K St NW #700
Washington, DC 20037
888-4GW-DOCS

GW Hospital is located in the heart of Washington, DC and is accessible from the Foggy Bottom metro stop.