WEST VALLEY — When 74-year-old Jim Cerase began experiencing severe shortness of breath in late September, he and his wife, Barbara, knew he needed medical attention. What happened next demonstrates how a connected continuum of care can make a critical difference when a patient’s condition is life-threatening.

The Sun City West couple went to Abrazo Peoria Emergency Center where board-certified emergency medicine physician Dr. Brice Brookshire diagnosed Jim with bilateral pulmonary emboli or extensive blood clots blocking arteries in both of his lungs, a potentially fatal condition known as pulmonary embolism, which required more advanced and immediate treatment.

Abrazo Arrowhead Campus, a mere 10–12-minute drive, is a leading regional facility for emergency services equipped to provide the highest level of care for critically ill and injured patients, including a dedicated Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT). It includes emergency medicine physicians, interventional cardiologists, critical care specialists, and other clinical experts who rapidly assess and treat patients with complex and potentially fatal pulmonary embolisms.

“When we identified the blood clots in Jim’s lungs, our Peoria team activated the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team and coordinated his transfer to Abrazo Arrowhead for advanced treatment. I am proud of how everyone came together for him. Hearing that he is back home, breathing comfortably and walking his dog is amazing,” said Dr. Brookshire.

“Normally you are waiting for hours in an emergency room,” Jim said. “Not at Abrazo Peoria Emergency Center. It was boom, boom, boom — they knew I was in trouble and immediately sent me to Abrazo Arrowhead where they were already waiting for me and ready to do what it took to save my life.”

Jim was immediately transferred by ambulance to Abrazo Arrowhead Campus where further testing showed strain on the right side of his heart and a blood clot in his left leg. Invasive-Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Rahul Malhotra treated Jim with a minimally invasive thrombectomy procedure to remove the dangerous clots from his pulmonary arteries.

“Jim was facing a very serious medical emergency,” said Dr. Malhotra. “Large blood clots were blocking blood flow through his lungs and placing significant stress on his heart. Thanks to the rapid diagnosis at Abrazo Peoria Emergency Center and the seamless transfer to Arrowhead, we were able to quickly perform a minimally invasive procedure to remove the clots. It is gratifying to see a patient go from struggling to breathe to getting back to enjoying everyday life with his family.”

Jim now says, “I have no problem breathing and my blood pressure is perfect. I take the dog for a walk every morning. We have fun and no more shortness of breath either. I feel like a different person.”

“At both Abrazo facilities, Jim was admitted and cared for by several doctors and nurses,” said Jim’s wife Barbara. “The care he got was incredibly thorough and the staff kept me informed the whole time which helped me stay calm during a very scary situation.”

The Cerase family experience illustrates the importance of having access to emergency care close to home and the benefit of having a nearby hospital equipped to provide advanced treatment when needed, in the same healthcare system, to prevent any lapse or delay in treatment.

“Abrazo’s doctors and nurses saved my life when it was critical,” Jim said. “My wife and I are forever grateful and in their debt.”

To learn more about Abrazo Arrowhead Campus and the services offered and/or for help finding a physician, close to home, visit our website.