Good Samaritan Hospital
Heart & Vascular Center
375 Dixmyth Ave.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45220
(513) 862-3588
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Success Stories
Read what our patients have to say about their experiences with arrhythmia care at the Good Samaritan Heart & Vascular Center.
Matilda Bowman
David Dankovic
Sister Victoria Forde
Matilda Bowman
Matilda Bowman knew something was wrong – seriously wrong. She’d been taking advanced-level step aerobics classes for 15+ years and typically had more energy than women half her age.
“It was in 2005. All of a sudden I’d get exhausted just climbing a flight of stairs,” she remembers. After an EKG at her doctor’s office suggested an irregular heartbeat, she was told to get to the hospital. Good Samaritan Hospital’s director of Cardiology and Electrophysiology, John Wilson MD, met her there. He immediately put Matilda on medication and during the ensuing weeks tried electric shock to restore her heart to its normal beat.
When neither approach was successful, Matilda opted for a procedure called catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. “I won’t kid you, I was scared,” she recalls. “But everyone was super nice and worked hard to put me at ease before putting me under for the procedure.”
By delivering radiofrequency energy to specific areas of Matilda’s heart, Dr. Wilson caused scarring that destroyed the cells that were misfiring and causing her heart to beat erratically. In doing so, he eliminated her arrhythmia. “I don’t even have a scar,” she says. “He reached my heart by inserting a catheter in my leg.”
Following the two-hour procedure, Matilda spent just one night in the hospital. Although her energy was restored soon after returning home, “I took it easy for awhile just to be sure.”
Today, four years later, this 75-year-old great grandmother is thrilled the procedure restored her energy without the need for medication. She’s back to the gym and the step-aerobics class she enjoys so much. “Except when the weather is nice. Then I take long walks in the park instead,” she laughs.
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David Dankovic
 Hiking in the mountains of Colorado and cross country skiing in Michigan were passions for David Dankovic that he nearly gave up when an irregular heart rhythm left him out of breath with the slightest exertion.
After struggling with atrial fibrillation (a racing heartbeat originating in the top chambers of the heart), and pursuing various treatments and medications, “I could function OK sitting around the house or at work, but anything extra was too much. It was impacting my lifestyle.”
Then he discovered that Good Samaritan Hospital was offering a treatment option for atrial fibrillation called catheter ablation. David underwent the procedure, which uses a catheter to deliver radiofrequency energy to scar the problem area in the heart and eliminate the arrhythmia.
“It’s wonderful to have such an effective treatment available,” David says. “Not every cardiologist or hospital can do this. It’s been a great success.
“For me, this was an excellent choice,” he continues. David is back to cross country skiing and taking long walks with his wife. “It’s nice to feel like I can do that again. It’s aerobic. It’s fun. We love it.”
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Sister Victoria Forde
When the University of Notre Dame football team hits the gridiron on crisp autumn Saturdays, its fans’ hearts often beat rapidly with excitement. However, when the games are over, the heart fluttering and lightheaded feelings usually subside and life carries on as normal. Until recently, though, this was not the case for one of the blue and gold’s biggest supporters, Sister Victoria Forde, whose heart beat faster than it should even when she was not watching Fighting Irish in action.
She had a form of arrhythmia, called a tachycardia, that was causing episodes of irregular heartbeat. Because they often happened without warning, these episodes often put her life in jeopardy. While anti-arrhythmic medication reduced their frequency and kept them from being deadly, Sister Victoria never imagined being cured of them.
That is, until during a visit with her cardiologist, John Wilson MD, Sister Victoria was told she needed to undergo open heart surgery to treat a concurrent heart ailment. During his explanation of the procedure, Dr. Wilson suggested she consider having the Maze procedure as well. He explained that he and his colleagues at Good Samaritan Hospital collaborated to cure arrhythmias. The Maze procedure was just one method they employed.
Trusting Dr. Wilson’s judgment, Sister Victoria agreed to undergo surgery. For her, his referral was further evidence that he always had her best interests in mind. “I have been going to Dr. Wilson for years and I could not ask for a better doctor,” she notes. “He is so conscientious, and always follows up to make sure I get the treatment I need.” Moreover, knowing she would be having the surgery at Good Samaritan was reassuring. As a Cincinnati Sister of Charity, she knew of the hospital’s history and reputation for providing quality, compassionate care.
Good Samaritan’s reputation was deserved, feels Sister Victoria, and it was especially evident while she waited for her operation. “I went on a Friday and had surgery on a Monday,” she explains. “So the time between my admission to the hospital and surgery could have been nerve-racking, but was very comfortable. The staff was so respectful. Everyone was very attentive, and never made me feel as though I was imposing on them.”
As for her surgery and subsequent recovery, she could not have been happier. “The atmosphere of the recovery wing is quiet and conducive to recuperation,” she says. “I have been at other places that are not that way.” Even after she went home, through six weeks of cardiac rehab and regular checkups from both doctors, Sister Victoria was pleased by the level of service she received. “Everyone was extremely compassionate,” she exclaims. “I keep saying it, but it is important for me to say that.”
Today, more than a year since her surgery, Sister Victoria is back to her life in semi-retirement, working part time in the Sister of Charity’s archives in Delhi. She’s also back to cheering on the Fighting Irish. One part of life is different, however. She no longer worries about when she will have her next arrhythmic episode. They are gone. “I notice the difference,” she says. “And I feel good.”
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