Angiogram Gives New Lease on Life

"I feel as if I've been given a gift – the greatest medical care, by the greatest people. I have a new lease on life."

Patient: David Abramson

Diagnosis: Angina; coronary atherosclerosis of native vessel

Treatment: Successful intervention of left circumflex artery and insertion of drug-eluting stent

Mr. Abramson has always enjoyed working out, and he refused to be sidelined by health issues, even after he was diagnosed with essential hypertension and prescribed medication. Then he began to notice that he was short of breath, and his doctor ordered a sonogram. To his surprise, it showed that he had suffered a silent heart attack.

A stress test revealed slight damage to his heart, and he did three months of cardio rehab. Another cardiologist ordered another stress test and then sent him for an angiogram. "I tried to put it off," he said, "but that night at 2:30 a.m. the doctor called me and said it had to be done right away. He gave me the name of a doctor at Mount Sinai who was tops in the field, and I reluctantly agreed to schedule the procedure.

"As I was wheeled into the operating room, I heard a beautiful voice say, 'You're not afraid because you know you are in good hands.' That was Dr. Kini. And she was right. I was no longer afraid."

Mr. Abramson underwent two separate procedures two weeks apart. "Every person I encountered at Mount Sinai was so responsive, so knowledgeable," he said. "After the first procedure my energy level was up, and I felt even better after the second. I've lost 20 pounds, and I'm walking farther, faster. I feel as if I've been given a gift — the greatest medical care, by the greatest people. I have a new lease on life."