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Duran is a 63 year old male who initially
presented to our hospital in Tikrit on 7 March 2004 with chest pain and
difficulty breathing. He rapidly decompensated there and required
intubation. He also developed an unstable heart rhythm called atrial
fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response. This heart rhythm
required electrical cardioversion on multiple occasions. After a few
days the patient was transported here to Mosul (on a ventilator) in
preparation of a trip back home to Turkey. The Turkish ambulance showed up on 15 March, with a physician, a medic, a company representative, and a driver. However due to some odd circumstances, they were unable to take Duran with them. They would have to make the 7 hour trip from Turkey again in two days. Meanwhile, Duran improves. He was successfully extubated on 16 March. Initially after extubation he appeared to be breathing quite laboriously and it appeared as if he might need to be intubated once again. However, on close examination of his lungs and close observation of his chest x-ray, we realized he had some heart failure. We quickly gave him some Lasix, a diuretic, and his breathing markedly improved. Over the next 24 hours he no longer required any oxygen. The ambulance crew returned on 17 March and they were quite impressed that he was not intubated and that he was doing so well. This story may not sound that remarkable, but this type of medical success is quite impressive when it occurs in a regular hospital. The fact that our ICU doctors and nurses were able to accomplish this in a combat support hospital in Iraq is a great reflection on the skills and abilities of the medical personnel of this unit. As we say in the medical field, this was "A GREAT SAVE." |
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MAJ Framstad, SSG Crown, MAJ Osborn, and Duran |
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Doc Cohen and the Turkish physician |
CPT Denise Askew waves good-bye |
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