Kansas City, Kan- The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 4 COVID patients today, 5 Monday.
Key points from today’s guests:
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System
- A blocked artery can be sneaky because the symptoms are often very gradual plaque accumulates over the course of many years in our lives.
- If you treat that blockage, you might be able to prevent a heart attack, an amputation, or worse.
- When we see advancements like this example from Sheryl, which allows enough blood flow so you don't have further amputations and you can go out and do the things you want to do, that's the amazing part of science, getting us to a better place.
Sheryl Craig, aortoiliac bypass patient
- Sheryl had blocked arteries near her toes, and some had to be amputated years ago due to gangrene.
- When she met with Dr. Biggs, he suggested new treatment to help prevent further amputation, which included new arteries sewn into her body.
- She can now walk without anything to support her and is doing great.
- She encourages others to take care of themselves and exercise.
Dr. Joedd Biggs, vascular surgeon, The University of Kansas Health System
- When he met with Sheryl for the first time, her condition was very debilitating, and she couldn’t walk.
- He found a blockage in her arteries near her pelvis that was affecting her feet.
- Dr. Biggs conducted an aortoiliac bypass – bypassing from one part of the body to another. He blocked the kidney arteries to clean out the clot buildup – and he only had 10 minutes to do that part.
- Then there was sewing of arteries – or grafting – to other areas to help with blockages.
- These reconstructions can last for a very long time, so no interventions are needed for a while.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, infection prevention & control, The University of Kansas Health System
- For the last couple of weeks, we've heard about national upticks in COVID counts.
- We know hospitalizations across the nation have increased 10-15 percent.
- There are three major variants right now, but all of those are Omicron sub variants. And what we believe right now is that there really is no difference in symptoms, nor severity of disease from this newest variant, Eris.
- Dr. Hawkinson believes the monovalent COVID vaccine should be out between September and October.
Friday, Aug. 11 at 8 a.m. CT is the next Open Mics with Dr. Stites. The forecast is for a great story of a local meteorologist reunited with the cancer doctor who save his life.
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