Staying in Rhythm

How Cardiac Implants Save Lives

Starting in December 2023, the cardiology department has expanded its services to include pacemaker and ICD (implantable cardiac defibrillator) implants. This life-saving technology helps regulate the heart when it suddenly speeds up, slows down, or stops.

Pacemakers use low-energy electrical impulses to ensure the heart beats steadily to meet the body’s needs. ICDs also monitor the heart for abnormal rhythms and can deliver a shock if a dangerous rhythm is detected.

One of Johnson Memorial’s first pacemaker cases was Crystal Mae Smith, 47. She had persistent  symptoms – including fluttering, flushing, fatigue, and a racing heart – that hadn’t been accurately diagnosed before moving to Dawson. But when she had an appointment with Dr. Ayaz Virji, Chief of Staff at Johnson Memorial Health Services, “he immediately saw that something was wrong,” says Smith. Just four weeks later, she had a pacemaker implanted.

Before implant surgery, patients undergo a workup that includes an EKG (electrocardiogram), echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart), and a loop recorder. “They observe the patient for a while to see if they meet the criteria for surgery,” says Siverhus, perioperative services/outreach manager at Johnson Memorial.

The loop recorder, which Smith used, monitors the heart Crystal Mae Smith shares her story of a successful, pacemaker implant from Dr. Chelliah and Dr. Virji for a few weeks to up to five years. Like the pacemaker, it is implanted under the chest wall and transmits information about severe heart episodes to a monitoring station at Johnson Memorial.

Smith says she received excellent care at Johnson Memorial “If I had any questions, they were on it, and if they didn’t know, they would call me back.” “If it wasn’t for Dr. Virji not giving up and finding another cardiologist,” says Smith, “I might not even be here.”

Siverhus points out how essential these new cardiology services are to the Dawson Community. “Many patients don’t want to go down to Sioux Falls, Minneapolis, or St. Cloud,” she says. “They want to stay here. I think it’s a great thing that we can do these implants in Dawson.

Click here for more information on our cardiology services at JMHS.