Joseph Germano, DO, Associate Director of ElectrophysiologyatWinthrop,andAngelina Garcia Catot.

Sixteen-year-old Angelina Garcia Catot suffered from Wolff-Parkinson White Syndrome (WPW) – a type of arrhythmia characterized by an extra pathway in the heart that causes the electrical signal to arrive at the ventricles too quickly. This leads to a rapid heartbeat which can cause dizziness, chest palpitations or fainting, and it can be life-threatening.

Living in El Salvador, Angelina did not have access to hospitals equipped to provide the appropriate care for this condition. Without a chance to be treated close to home, Angelina was brought to Long Island by Gift of Life International, an organization that works with Rotary Clubs and other organizations worldwide to save the lives of children diagnosed with congenital heart defects.

Thanks to the longstanding relationship that Carlos Montoya-Iraheta, MD, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at NYU Winthrop, has with the organization, Angelina came to NYU Winthrop, where she was then treated by Joseph Germano, DO, Associate Director of Electrophysiology at NYU Winthrop, who performed a radiofrequency catheter ablation.

“Although common here, she would not have had access to this technology in El Salvador. The procedure went well, giving Angelina the chance to live a healthy, happy life,” said Dr. Germano.