December 20, 2024
At 94 years old, Mrs. Catherine Domangue is full of energy and a picture of perfect health, still driving herself and living independently. While she has faced some health challenges over the years, she has relied on the care and expertise of CIS cardiologists to help her maintain her quality of life.
Catherine moved to Houma from New Orleans in 1955 when she married her husband, nine years her senior. In her early 60s, she visited Cardiovascular Institute of the South because she was experiencing a fast and irregular heart rhythm. CIS electrophysiologist Dr. Richard Abben diagnosed her with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), a heart rhythm disorder that causes a fast or erratic heartbeat. “My heart was beating fast, fast, fast,” she recalled. Dr. Abben performed a fairly new procedure at the time, an ablation, using radiofrequency to treat her racing heart.
Afterwards, Catherine maintained a healthy lifestyle, as well as regular visits with Dr. Abben. “I’ve always been active; I raised four kids, all close in age,” she said. “I have been very fortunate and very healthy.” But in this time, she also devoted herself to caring for her husband, who had suffered third-degree burns in an accident and was later diagnosed with prostate cancer. She spent nine years as his primary caregiver, a role that shaped her understanding of medicine and quality healthcare. “We got through it, and I learned medicine on the other side of the bed,” she recalled. Catherine’s husband passed in 2008, but her unwavering dedication to his care is a testament to her strong heart.
In 2022, Catherine began to feel a new and worsening heart-related symptom, shortness of breath with exertion. Her difficulty breathing reduced her ability to perform daily activities and persisted for two to three months. She visited Dr. Abben and was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, a condition in which the narrowing of the aortic valve opening restricts blood flow to the aorta. Dr. Abben referred her to a specialist in valve disease, Dr. Shane Prejean, an interventional cardiologist at CIS. Dr. Prejean let her know that, despite her age, she was a candidate for a less-invasive valve replacement procedure.
On July 5 of 2022, Catherine had a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to replace her aortic valve. TAVR is a minimally-invasive, catheter-based procedure to replace a damaged and diseased heart valve. The new valve expands and takes over the process for proper blood flow. Dr. Prejean performed the procedure at Terrebonne General Health System. “He went through the groin to do the valve, and I had no problems,” she said. With her new valve, Catherine noticed her symptoms had improved, and she could get back to some of her normal activities, like walking, without becoming short of breath.
Catherine did well until October of 2023, when she noticed sudden dizziness and faintness one day. She had been taking prescription blood thinners for atrial fibrillation (Afib), a condition that occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat out of coordination with the lower chambers (ventricles), causing rapid or irregular heart rate. Catherine was admitted to the hospital for bleeding and anemia and required four pints of blood. Knowing this risk came from the blood thinner she was taking, Dr. Prejean suggested that she would be a candidate for a closure procedure using a device called the Amplatzer Amulet Occluder. This minimally-invasive therapy seals the left atrial appendage (LAA) of the heart, preventing stroke and eliminating the need for long-term, oral blood thinners. This procedure, like her TAVR, was performed by Dr. Prejean at Terrebonne General Health System. Her stroke risk was lowered, and she was able to get off of blood thinners, reducing the risk for future bleeding.
Now, Catherine is doing well and has not experienced any problems since. She is pleased with the care she continues to receive at CIS and Terrebonne General. “I trust in their care. The nurses went out of their way for me. I highly recommend them. Everything is on time, and they make everything smooth.”
She loves the cardiologists at CIS. “Dr. Abben has always been great, and Dr. Prejean is a dream! He is friendly, personable and interested in you as a person. He answers anything and takes his time.”
Catherine plays an important role in her own health. “I try to keep active. I walk up and down my driveway a lot. I do my own housework and most of my cooking,” she said. Though she has been a widow for 16 years, she has a big family that keeps her going. “I have four kids, seven grandkids, nine great grandkids and one great-great!” she smiled.
When Dr. Prejean reflects on the progress that Catherine has made, he reported, “I am proud of the team at CIS and Terrebonne General who have been able to offer Mrs. Domangue advanced cardiovascular care close to home. We are rewarded when we see her return for routine visits maintaining a high level of functionality and quality of life.”
Catherine continues to live a vibrant and long life, thanks to the skilled team at CIS and Terrebonne General who are pioneering the most advanced, cutting-edge procedures right here in Houma. She is ready for the holidays and anticipates making homemade gingerbread and Christmas fudge for her kids when they come to visit this year. She doesn’t intend to slow down anytime soon. “My license is good until I’m 98,” she laughed. With her strong heart and her unbreakable spirit, Catherine is a true testament to the power of resilience and the life-saving care and innovations available in our community. “They’ve given me a new lease on life,” she said.
Learn more about the expert care at CIS and Terrebonne General Health.
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