Gregg Jubin had always been healthy and health conscious, despite having benign mitral valve prolapse, the most common heart valve abnormality. So, when he developed a fever a few weeks after a routine dental cleaning, his wife Cristina Aragona, a certified physician assistant, was justifiably concerned.
“Dental treatments such as cleanings may cause bleeding, introducing oral bacteria into the bloodstream,” explains Cristina, who works in the Neurosurgery department at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. “When this bacteria attaches to abnormal heart valves, it can cause bacterial endocarditis, a potentially life-threatening infection.”
The couple made an appointment with Gregg’s primary care physician, but, by the time they saw the doctor, his symptoms had progressed. “Based on Gregg’s symptoms and his bloodwork, we were told he needed emergency care,” she says.
Upon arrival in the emergency department, Edward F. Aulisi, MD, FAANS, FACS and Lowell Satler, MD ordered a series of tests and within two hours of being triaged, Gregg was admitted with mitral valve regurgitation with bacterial endocarditis.
In the meantime, Dr. Satler brought in Krishna Dass, MD, and Yuji Kawano, MD, for a consult on a mitral valve repair. Gregg remained in the hospital for five days and was subsequently discharged on a course of IV antibiotics for six weeks prior to a robotic mitral valve repair, performed by Dr. Kawano.
Gregg left the hospital four days post-op and went on a family trip to Italy 10 days later. According to Cristina, a Board Member at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, he did not feel like he had surgery—and was grateful.
To express gratitude for the wonderful care Gregg received, the family made a generous philanthropic gift in honor of Dr. Satler and Dr. Kawano to support the heart program at MedStar Washington. “We are so grateful. It was like a healthcare fairy tale.”