East Carolina University Cardiothoracic Surgery Newsletter Vol. 2

ECU Cardiac Merger

As of February 3rd, we are excited to announce the successful merger of ECU Health Heart and Vascular Cardiology, Heart Failure, Interventional Cardiology, and Electrophysiology into a single, unified location, integrating with the existing services of the East Carolina Heart Institute. These services will now operate under one roof at 115 Heart Drive, Greenville, NC 27834.

This milestone represents the culmination of years of planning, dedication, and collaboration from our leadership, faculty, and sta. By bringing these specialties together, we are fostering a more eficient, coordinated, and patient-centered approach to cardiovascular care. With 51 providers and over 200 sta members, our interdisciplinary teams are projected to serve more than 57,000 patients annually.

In addition to clinic visits, patients will now have seamless access to in-house imaging, laboratory services, and specialized diagnostic testing, creating a streamlined, one-stop experience for comprehensive heart care. This integration is designed to enhance care coordination, improve patient outcomes, and elevate the overall patient experience.

We extend our deepest appreciation to everyone who contributed to making this vision a reality. With this next step, we look forward to expanding services, advancing innovation, and continuing our mission to provide exceptional cardiovascular care at the East Carolina Heart Institute.

Patient Choice Award

Congratulations to Dr. Shahab Akhter, Dr. Benjamin Degner, and Dr. Wiley Nifong for winning the Patient Choice Award with ECU Health. This achievement is a true reflection of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by our surgeons and the Cardiothoracic Surgical team.

Multi-Arterial CABG

ECHI continues to enhance care for heart patients in Eastern North Carolina. Over the past five years, there has been a sustained effort to increase the use of arterial grafts in bypass surgery.

The use of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to bypass the left anterior descending (LAD) artery has been shown to improve patient survival since studies began in the 1970s. More recent data indicates that patients who receive an additional arterial graft to another area of the heart experience even better long-term outcomes.

At ECHI, patients are twice as likely to receive a second arterial bypass compared to other programs nationwide.

ROMA Women Trial CABG

ECHI continues to enhance care for heart patients in Eastern North Carolina. Over the past five years, there has been a sustained effort to increase the use of arterial grafts in bypass surgery.

The use of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to bypass the left anterior descending (LAD) artery has been shown to improve patient survival since studies began in the 1970s. More recent data indicates that patients who receive an additional arterial graft to another area of the heart experience even better long-term outcomes.

At ECHI, patients are twice as likely to receive a second arterial bypass compared to other programs nationwide.

Aorta Program Update

The latest guidelines for managing aortic disease from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) introduce key updates, particularly regarding the aneurysm size at which surgery is recommended. These updates reinforce the
importance of multidisciplinary care, as outcomes for patients with aortic disease are significantly improved at high-volume centers with experienced practitioners and comprehensive management capabilities. This makes Multidisciplinary Aortic Team care essential for determining the optimal timing of intervention.

At ECU Health, our advanced Aortic Program brings together cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, cardiac psychologists, and advanced practitioners to provide comprehensive, individualized patient care. The updated ACC/AHA guidelines now recommend lowering the
surgical threshold for sporadic aortic root and ascending aortic aneurysms from 5.5 cm to 5.0cm in select patients—and even lower in specific cases of heritable thoracic aortic aneurysms —at centers with experienced multidisciplinary teams like ours.

Additionally, the ACC/AHA guidelines emphasize the importance of regionalization of care, recommending the transfer of patients with acute aortic conditions from low-volume to high volume hospitals (dened as those performing ≥7 aortic root, ascending aorta, or transverse arch aortic dissection repairs per year). This approach has been shown to significantly improve patient outcomes. The ECU Health Aortic Program exceeds this benchmark, performing approximately 50 open aortic procedures annually, including around 25 Acute Type A aortic dissection repairs—placing our center in the top 10% nationally in case volume.

Most importantly, our patient outcomes rank among the best in the nation based on published data. As part of our commitment to advancing patient care, the ECU Health Aortic Program will soon oer in-clinic genetic testing for aortic disease patients. Through Ambry Genetics, the
TAADNext test will analyze 35 genes related to aortic disease, providing patients and their families with vital information to help prevent potentially life-threatening conditions.

ECU Aorta Program Our program also remains academically active, with a recent abstract submission to the AATS Annual Meeting and a manuscript submission to JTCVS, along with four additional manuscripts in progress. We are also expanding collaborative efforts, including a joint venture with the ECU Division of Biomedical Engineering to further innovation in aortic disease research and treatment.

We are proud of these advancements and remain dedicated to delivering the highest level of care to our patients.

2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

Haley Volunteers following Hurricane Helene

We would like to take a moment to highlight the incredible volunteer work of one of our own. After learning about the urgent need for healthcare workers, Haley traveled to Western North Carolina, an area heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene.

During her time there, Haley collaborated with distributors and suppliers to coordinate essential resources for the local population. She also went door to door, navigating hazardous terrain to conduct welfare checks and identify critical needs.

Her volunteer efforts spanned three weeks, making a significant impact on the lives of those affected. While we admire her dedication and service, we are also thrilled to have her back at ECHI, where she continues her work as a DNP in Vascular Surgery.

ECHI Holiday Celebrations

The East Carolina Heart Institute staff wrapped up the year with festive, holiday-themed events for everyone to enjoy.

We decorated the Christmas tree in the first-floor lounge, held a fun ‘Elf on the Shelf’ scavenger hunt, and celebrated with a holiday party featuring live music and great food.

It was a fantastic way to close out 2024, bringing joy and camaraderie to our teams!

January CVOR Babies

Congratulations to our Chief Resident, Ryan Huttinger and his wife, on the birth of twin babies: Olivia 8lbs 6oz, 19” (blueberry swaddle) and Quinn 8lbs 18.25” (pink swaddle).

Alright Ryan it’s time to come back to work.

This month, we had the unique opportunity to assist in delivering a baby in the CVOR. A mother with severe cardiomyopathy, under the care of Dr. Courtney Saunders and our heart failure team, underwent a successful delivery.
An experienced multidisciplinary team—including specialists from Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM), Obstetrics (OB), and the NICU—worked together in the CVOR to provide expert care for both mother and baby. Under the exceptional guidance of our Cardiac Anesthesia team, we ensured a safe environment for this complex delivery.
We are happy to share that both mother and baby are doing well. This case highlights the comprehensive, high-quality care that ECU Health provides to mothers across Eastern North Carolina.

Down On Flow

Down on Flow recently performed at BellaGreen Latin Sports Bar and Grill to an enthusiastic crowd. It was a great time for everyone, and we’re excited to announce that they will be performing again at BellaGreen on 2/28/2025 at 7:00 p.m. We hope to see you there!

Down on Flow is a dynamic cover band that specializes in alternative, classic, and progressive rock music. Formed in 2020, the band features Dr. Gary Fontana on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Dr. James Speicher on lead guitar, Mike Norman on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Dr. Shahab Akhter on drums and percussion.

When they’re not in the cath lab or operating room, you’ll find them performing at local venues in and around Greenville. We hope to see you at one of their upcoming shows!

Carolina Sportsman Recognition

We are proud to celebrate our very own Cardiac Nurse Specialist, Katherine Wilkerson (Kat), who was recently recognized by Carolina Sportsman Magazine this season! We love seeing our team members excel not only in their professional roles but also in their personal passions. Congratulations, Kat, on this well-deserved recognition!