UC San Diego Health Achieves Milestones for Lifesaving Heart and Lung Treatments

Credit: Photo credit: Leslie Aquinde, UC San Diego Health

In July 2024, Washburn was the 5,000th patient to undergo a PTE surgery at UC San Diego Health. The region’s only academic medical center pioneered the surgery and has performed the most in the world. From left: Michael Madani, MD, Mark and Melissa Washburn, Nick Kim, MD.

« UC San Diego Health Achieves Milestones for Lifesaving Heart and Lung Treatments

Credit: Photo courtesy of Washburn Family

In 2023, Washburn began noticing a decline in his health as he dealt with new anxiety and worsening shortness of breath. When he could not manage going up the flight of stairs in his own home, he knew something was significantly wrong.

« UC San Diego Health Achieves Milestones for Lifesaving Heart and Lung Treatments

Credit: Photo credit: Leslie Aquinde, UC San Diego Health

With CTEPH, the blood clots are fibrous white scar tissue, which when arranged on a surgical table, take the shape of the inner branches of the lung’s arteries.

« UC San Diego Health Achieves Milestones for Lifesaving Heart and Lung Treatments

Credit: Photo credit: UC San Diego Health

In June 2024, UC San Diego Health also completed 1,000 BPA procedures, the most in the nation. From left: Nick Kim, MD; David Poch, MD; Jenny Yang, MD; Ehtisham Mahmud, MD; Ang Lawrence, MD.

« UC San Diego Health Achieves Milestones for Lifesaving Heart and Lung Treatments

Credit: Photo courtesy of Washburn Family

Washburn and his wife Melissa are now making plans for an international trip that will be timed to recognize the one-year anniversary of his surgery.

« UC San Diego Health Achieves Milestones for Lifesaving Heart and Lung Treatments

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