Page 23 - Inspire Health November/December 2016

Agree to Disagree
New cardiac device gives man alternative to medications
Michael “Ed” Perrino and his
wife Michelina have lived in
the Lehigh Valley for 20 years.
“It’s been the coldest 20 years of my life,” walking regime.
Mike says. Michelina just rolls her eyes.
They have been married 60 years.
“That’s why he’s still alive,” she says. To
which, he guffaws.
They bicker like an old married couple,
mostly because they are. Mike is nearly 86.
“I don’t consider myself geriatric,” he says.
“Age is just a number; what matters more is
how you enjoy life.”
And they have enjoyed life. They met
in New York City where they were both
raised. Was it love at first sight? “No,” he
says while she nods emphatically.
He was in the Navy at the time
and just wrapping up two tours in the
Korean Conflict. Soon he transferred to
the Air Force, and they were at bases in
Cape Cod, Italy and Washington, D.C.
with their three children in tow.
His 20-year military career then led
to a 20-year career in air conditioning/
refrigeration.
Now he says is the time to “enjoy
what time I have left.”
In Mike’s assessment, he’s got another
10 years at least … in part because of
his recent cardiac care.
In the 1990s, Mike had quadruple bypass
surgery after having a heart attack he didn’t
even notice.
Since then his heart has been clear.
Even a recent CAT scan confirmed his
clean arteries. Michelina credits her good
cooking. He says it was his 7-mile a day
While his arteries are good, Mike
developed arterial fibrillation, a condition
where the upper chambers of the heart
beat too fast and with irregular rhythm.
He treated it with blood thinners. Side-
effects from the medicine took their toll
on him… nose bleeds, spotted skin and
internal bleeding.
He lost three pints during a recent
bleed. That’s when his gastroenterologist
suggested Mike consider a new cardiac
implant device called Watchman. The
device closes off the left atrial appendage
of the heart in order to keep harmful
blood clots from entering the blood
stream and potentially causing a stroke.
He met with cardiologist and
electrophysiologist Koroush Khalighi, M.D.,
an independent member of the medical
staff, to learn more.
“The device is a one-time procedure,
implanted through the use of a catheter
in about an hour,” says Khalighi. “It offers a different matter.
potentially-life changing option for patients
who want freedom from the challenges of
long-term blood-thinner use.”
Physicians at Easton Hospital
were among the first in Pennsylvania
to perform the procedure and
are considered some of the most
experienced surgeons in the state based
on the number of devices implanted.
Mike consulted with several physicians
for second opinions, and all confirmed
that the procedure was a good decision.
“I like Dr. Khalighi,” he says. “He’s a
great guy.”
Michelina agrees, “He is so down to
earth. I wish there were more doctors
like him.”
Mike went to Easton Hospital for the
surgery on a Friday morning and returned
home on Saturday.
Mike fully expects to be off blood
thinners in a matter of days which truly
excites him.
“The medication has been difficult for
me, so I’m glad to have an alternative
approach and a physician like Dr. Khalighi,”
he says. Michelina nods.
It’s good to see they have found
something to agree upon. But the next
decision of where to have dinner is a
Dr. Koroush
Khalighi, M.D.
Photos courtesy
of Easton Hospital