Yonathan Litwok, MD

What are some of the specific conditions you treat?

I am a board-certified cardiologist with a sub-specialty board certification in Critical Care Medicine. My clinical experience and training background allow me to care for patients who are critically ill with heart disease. This includes but is not limited to patients with heart attacks, congestive heart failure, abnormal heart rhythm, as well as patients who are awaiting or recovering from open heart surgery. I am meticulous about understanding my patient's medical condition, their response to the treatments we provide, and their path to recovery. 

What techniques or procedures do you use in your practice?

In the Cardiac ICU, we use various procedures to monitor and treat our patients. Some of these procedures are invasive, such as arterial lines to monitor a patient's blood pressure, central lines to deliver intravenous medications, and Swan Ganz catheters to monitor the pressures in the heart. When possible, we try to manage our patients without invasive procedures. We often use bedside ultrasound to evaluate a patient's heart and lungs to guide our decision-making. With my clinical experience and training, I am able to decide which modality is most appropriate for patients, so that we can stabilize their condition and begin their healing and recovery process.

What would you like patients to know about your approach to care?

I am one of only a few physicians in the country trained in both Cardiology and Critical Care. My skillset and experience allow me to care for the sickest of cardiac patients. I dedicate my life to caring for my patients and am deeply involved in their care when they are in the Cardiac ICU. Beyond the medical interventions we perform, I strive to keep the patient and their family members informed of the care they are receiving. It is important for me to understand a patient's personal wishes and that we have a shared decision-making process regarding their treatment. I always make myself available to patients and family members to support them while they are in the Cardiac ICU.

Podcast Episodes

• What Happens After a Heart Attack?

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