Download the March/April 2009 issue - Riverview Medical Center

JeRSeY SHORe UniveRSitY medical centeR
Jersey shore iCu Saves Man from Rare Lung Disease
never again will tim Moynihan, 21, of tinton Falls, brush off cold symptoms. not after a recent
stay in the intensive care unit (iCu) at Jersey shore university Medical Center saved him from a
rare and deadly lung disease.
In summer 2008, Tim Moynihan developed
what felt like a cold. But in the
course of a few days, the symptoms
escalated, to a point where Tim’s breathing
became labored. Then he collapsed.
Tim’s parents called 911, and an ambulance
took him directly to Jersey Shore
University Medical Center.
Once there, a series of tests and a
chest X-ray made it clear Tim needed to
be admitted to the ICU. Jersey Shore pulmonologists
— specialists who treat diseases
of the lung and respiratory
tract — quickly diagnosed him with acute
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
ARDS is a condition in which the lung’s
blood vessels leak fluid, which prevents
the lungs from filling with air and moving
oxygen into the bloodstream. Some factors
that can lead to ARDS are sepsis, pneumonia,
severe bleeding due to an injury, and
inhalation of harmful fumes or smoke.
“ARDS is a life-threatening disease that
can require round-the-clock care,” says
Eric Costanzo, D.O., Tim’s pulmonologist.
Tim’s mom, Kim Moynihan, was
shocked. “We didn’t comprehend how
serious things were at that point,” she says.
“When the doctors told us this was going
to get a lot worse before it got better, I was
so upset and scared — I kept thinking I
should have done something sooner.”
But most people wouldn’t think symptoms
such as congestion and weakness are
potentially life-threatening, nor are they
likely to have heard of ARDS. “ARDS is
rare, but it can impact anyone at any point
in life,” says Dr. Costanzo. “Luckily, very
few with common illnesses ever reach
such a severe state.”
Dr. Costanzo and Jeffrey A. Miskoff,
D.O., led the specially trained, interdisciplinary
team at Jersey Shore that treated
Tim. “When it comes to treating ARDS,
teamwork is paramount,” says Dr.
Costanzo. “In Jersey Shore’s ICU,
we value the input of everyone
in the process, from the
family and patient to the
nursing staff, house staff,
clinical pharmacologists,
nutritionists, and respiratory
therapists.”
aBout the DoCtor
eric Costanzo, D.O.
Board certified in internal
Medicine and Pulmonology
Manasquan | 732-528-5900
The team started aggressive
treatment immediately after Tim’s
diagnosis. Treatment for ARDS typically
involves strategies to protect the lungs
and maximize the flow of oxygen,
while treating the underlying cause of
ARDS, which differs from patient to
patient. Patients often require mechanical
ventilation to ensure the flow of oxygen
during treatment.
This was the case with Tim, who
remained in the ICU for nearly a month,
relying on a respirator to breathe. The ICU
team was there for him 24 hours a day,
working to keep his heart rate and body
temperature — it topped 105 degrees —
under control.
As his health improved, Tim was taken
off the respirator and his rehabilitation
began. He had lost nearly 25 pounds in
less than a month. Physical therapists
helped him regain the strength to get out
of bed and start walking again.
His immune system is still compromised,
so he needs to take any cold
symptom seriously. But now Tim is looking
forward to getting back to things he
loves this spring, like playing baseball. •
— Ryan Younger
Tim Moynihan is ready to
swing for the fences again,
after beating a life-threatening
respiratory disease with the help
of the experts at Jersey Shore
University Medical Center.
DiD yOu KnOW ...
... up to 2,300 gallons of air pass through your lungs
each day? Visit WellnessCenter.Meridianhealth.com
and search “how your lungs Work” for even more
interesting facts!
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Meridian HealthViews March/April 2009
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