Anesthesiologist Survives Cardiogenic Shock After Collapsing

Dr. Amos Szajner is an anesthesiologist from Lake Emo, MN. Despite a family history of heart disease and surviving a heart attack in 2011, Amos lives a very active lifestyle - from rock climbing to managing a hobby farm with his wife, Sue, and traveling regularly with his family. In April 2021 at 63 years old, Amos began experiencing flu-like symptoms while working at at Alomere Hospital in Alexandria, MN. When his symptoms became more severe following his shift, Amos returned to the hospital to monitor his health, then collapsed. A custodian found him lying on the floor and called for help. Medical staff performed CPR and shocked his heart multiple times before he was transferred by helicopter to St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN.

Upon arrival in the catheterization lab, Amos was in cardiogenic shock with a severely reduced ejection fraction (15-20 percent). Interventional cardiologist, Dr. Daniel James Tiede, removed a clot from his left anterior descending artery and placed a stent. Dr. Tiede then inserted the Impella CP^TM with SmartAssist^TM  heart pump to allow his heart to rest. After three days, the Impella^TM  heart pump was removed and his ejection fraction improved to 45-50 percent. Following a brief recovery period, Amos returned home to his family.

Today, Amos has returned to his active lifestyle. He gardens, manages the hobby farm with Sue and has resumed rock climbing and traveling with his family.

As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. There are potential risks, these risks need to be discussed with your doctor and recovery takes time. The success of this procedure depends on many factors, including your physical condition and your body’s ability to tolerate the procedure. Use care in the selection of your doctors and hospital, based on their skill and experience.