By Sonja J. Keith
Conway surgeon Dr. E. J. Chauvin is at the heart of a highly successful medical program that is saving lives in the 501 area. Dr. Chauvin – a cardiothoracic surgeon – and Conway Regional Health System have an impressive record of success. With about 140 heart operations performed each year, they have a 0 percent mortality rate and infection rate.
It is the best record in the state.
GROWING UP
When the doctor’s father retired from the military, the Chauvins settled in Forrest City (St. Francis County) in northeast Arkansas. His father’s work as a business manager for a group of doctors provided the younger Chauvin with an introduction to the medical field.
“I had always been around doctors because my dad worked for them,” he said. “I thought they were neat guys.”
Dr. Chauvin attended Subiaco Academy (Logan County) where he graduated from high school. He attended college at Tulane in New Orleans and received a medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. His original plans were to return to Forrest City as a general surgeon but he soon developed an interest in heart surgery.
“The heart surgeons were the guys I was most like and I got along with the best. I thought in 20 years from now, I want to be like them,” he said. “It was a good choice.”
However, the decision did mean an additional three years of residency.
Dr. Chauvin completed his general surgery residency in Cleveland, went to Augusta, Ga., for cardiac surgery, and was recruited to Memphis until he came to Conway in May 2001.
HEART MATTERS
Coronary bypass grafting is the most common procedure that Dr. Chauvin performs at Conway Regional, followed by carotid endarterectomy, a procedure to clean out the arteries in the neck.
Two techniques associated with heart surgery have met with widespread success.
Conway Regional offers the Guidant endoscopic vein harvesting system, which provides minimal incisions that reduce wound complications. People complain much less of the pain in their legs, there is increased ability to move after surgery and improved satisfaction in cosmetic appearances.
“Now no one complains about the pain in their leg at all,” Dr. Chauvin said.
A growing number of heart procedures are also done “off pump.”
Dr. Chauvin explains that originally heart surgery was developed with a physician operating on a beating heart. Later, equipment was developed to work in place of an individual’s heart and lungs so the surgeon worked to repair a heart that was temporarily still. However, that method put the patient at risk for stroke and kidney damage.
For older patients and those already at risk for stroke, Dr. Chauvin prefers the “off pump” method. “If we can do it with the heart beating, it takes those out of the equation.”
Conway Regional has been recognized for bringing the “beating heart” or “off pump” procedure to Arkansas. The procedure – which also can reduce a patient’s recovery time – is made possible with the use of a sophisticated surgical device which stabilizes a portion of the beating heart as the surgeon repairs selected vessels.
PREVENTION
While advancements are made in procedures and equipment for heart surgery, Dr. Chauvin echoes other healthcare professionals in emphasizing the importance of exercise when it comes to preventing heart disease in the first place. He said while some individuals are genetically pre-disposed for heart disease, eating well and staying in shape may help delay problems.
“Others eat and smoke their way into it.”
Dr. Chauvin recalled that it was in May, during Toad Suck Daze, that he visited Conway while considering a move to the city. He was amazed by what he saw at the festival – overweight individuals eating fried foods and smoking.
“I knew there would be no shortage of disease.”
Dr. Chauvin suspects that there are even more cardiac cases in the area than those he sees at Conway Regional. He said some individuals ignore their health and don’t realize they have a problem. Others who know they have a cardiac issue are unaware of the caliber of the heart program that Conway Regional offers.
“It is amazing to me that short of neuro surgery, there’s nothing we don’t do here at Conway Regional. It’s not a small hospital anymore.”
UNDER PRESSURE
Dr. Chauvin appears to thrive with the pressure imposed on a heart surgeon. “The pressure is on to do a good job. If people do fine, they go home and do good. If they don’t do fine, you know it right there. I like the pressure. Some don’t.
“I think about what I have to do and I do it. I don’t over-think it. I do it the same way every time…It is rare that people die.”
Dr. Chauvin said an unfavorable outcome is usually the result of another health issue like a kidney or liver problem.
In addition to his work at Conway Regional, Dr. Chauvin also served six months in Iraq in 2003 as part of a forward surgical team for the Army Reserves. He was part of a medical team that traveled with combat troops. When needed, they would set up a “hospital” complete with two operating tables in a tent.
“The idea was you stop the bleeding on the spot and get them stable to get them back to another hospital.”
THE FUTURE
While Dr. Chauvin enjoys his work, he has some concerns about the future of the profession.
“As Americans get older, there will be more need, but there are fewer heart surgeons coming out of medical school,” he said. “Eighty percent of practicing heart surgeons will retire in the next 10 years.
“We’re not making enough of them.”
According to Dr. Chauvin, several factors are coming in to play, including the additional time required in medical school to be a heart surgeon and the reimbursement amounts that insurance companies pay for heart procedures.
“For a young surgeon, it’s not appealing. You have more time invested and you’re not making any more money. There are still some but they are getting fewer and farther between.”
In the meantime, Dr. Chauvin is excited about the plans that are in the works at Conway Regional for new, state-of-the-art equipment and a larger operating room for heart procedures.
“I enjoy heart surgery and I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”