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“Latest Technology Saved My Life”:

Port Orange Man Treated for
Aneurysm at Halifax Health

Four days before his 74th birthday, Port Orange resident George Fritz woke up with severe pain that went from his groin to his back. Nothing seemed to help, so his wife, Joan, took him to the Emergency Department at Halifax Health – Medical Center of Port Orange.

There, emergency physician Richard Mohammed, MD, promptly diagnosed Fritz with an aortic leak. He was transferred to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, where a team of experts was waiting.

Small Incisions, Quicker Recovery

Fritz had suffered a ruptured but contained abdominal aortic aneurysm. Traditional surgical treatment would have involved a long incision and a lengthy and painful recovery.

But Halifax Health physicians treat aneurysms like Fritz’s using minimally invasive methods and the latest technology, including the Gore Excluder® AAA.

Combining cardiovascular surgery and interventional radiology, the device is inserted through small incisions in the leg to help repair the damaged aorta. This minimally invasive procedure is shorter, reduces scarring and infection risk, and results in a gentler recovery.

“This is truly a revolutionary procedure and device,” said Oscar Carbonell, MD, an interventional radiologist with Florida Endovascular Specialists. Dr. Carbonell was part of George Fritz’s treatment team, along with cardiovascular surgeon James Wuamett, MD, and interventional radiologist Bryan Denham, MD.

“I Was Lucky”

“Everything fell into place — they had the intelligence, quick judgment, proper surgeons and availability of the latest technology to save my life,” said Fritz. “I was lucky. I would have died if it hadn’t all come together.”

“The combination of this technology and the team effort involved was very successful,” Dr. Carbonell said.

“I’ve had excellent care,” Fritz added. “I have nothing but praise for everyone who took care of me at Halifax Health.”