Husband, Wife Cardiologists Break New Ground at Lufkin Hospital

A First for Lufkin

This week, Dr. Erica Fidone and Dr. Justin Price brought a first to Lufkin and Woodland Heights, utilizing a new treatment for pulmonary embolism (PE).

According to a press release from the hospital, patients would usually have to travel to Houston in order to get treatment for their PE. Now, they can receive this life-saving care locally saving precious time and keeping patients close to their family and support system. The treatment can also be utilized for deep vein thrombosis and is a safer, less invasive option.

Pictured: Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Erica Fidone, MD,FACC,FSCAI and Cardiologist Dr. Justin Price, MD,FACC,RPVI and the Cardiac Catheterization team.

Carol Lewis was the first patient to benefit from this technology in Lufkin and is thankful to the entire team for the timely treatment of her PE. "Everyone has taken great care of me - from the ER and Cath Lab to the ICU," she states. The ability to stay close to home was important for both her and her family who live and work here. "Lufkin is coming on strong with a good medical team and you don't have to travel."

All in the Family

Doctor Fidone and Doctor Price are wife and husband. It was announced in late June that they would be setting up a practice in Lufkin. Dr. Fidone, a native of Lufkin, is a board-certified Interventional Cardiologist and Dr. Price is a board-certified Cardiologist.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) typically occurs when a blood clot forms in the legs and pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a part of the clot breaks off, travels through the bloodstream, and causes a blockage of blood flow to the lungs. The blockage of blood flow results in right heart strain as the right ventricle is unable to push blood past the clot. In severe cases, right heart failure may occur leading to a fatal event.

“Patients now have a safer, less invasive option for the treatment PE and DVT that can immediately relieve their symptoms and improve their vital signs and significantly affect their long-term quality of life for the better,” said Dr. Fidone, who has performed dozens of these procedures. “Staying on the leading edge of cardiac care is important for our patients and we are excited to bring this new technology to deep East Texas.”