Imagine being a physician dedicated to preserving life and realizing a patient will probably die because there is not an acceptable treatment for what ails that patient. That dilemma is exactly what confronted cardiologist Stanley Bleich and cardiovascular thoracic surgeon Tod Engelhardt exactly two years ago. The patient had arrived at East Jefferson General Hospital in cardiogenic shock with chest pain and severe shortness of breath two weeks following coronary artery bypass surgery. He was diagnosed with a massive pulmonary embolism (PE) that extended into his right ventricle and right atrium.

East Jefferson General Hospital's Dr. Michael Brothers recently performed his 200th complete anatomic lobectomy with lymph node dissection for lung cancer using the Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) procedure. As the only MD Anderson network credentialed cardiothoracic surgeon in Louisiana performing this complex but minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Brothers is able to remove cancerous areas of the lungs and lymph node chains through several small holes. Lung cancer is the most common fatal malignancy in men and women in America.

East Jefferson General Hospital's outcomes have earned five-star and "Best in Region" honors from HealthGrades in the areas of Cardiac Surgery and Coronary Bypass.

More than 30 years ago, a new surgery was developed that could bring relief to many who suffered with severe coronary artery disease. That new procedure, commonly known as coronary bypass, has proved to be a reliable, repeatable and effective tool for physicians hoping to prolong the duration and quality of life of their patients.

Depression can have a devastating effect on a person's daily life. It makes work difficult and strains relationships. For someone who has had a major illness or injury, it can be even more damaging. Depression can delay the healing process and hinder the patient's ability to move forward.