Patrick Mangonon MD: This Surgeon Aspires to Preserve the Gift of Life

HEADLINERS

Updated 2008 March 22

Patrick Mangonon, MD, Heart and Lung Surgeon:

Aspiration to Preserve the Gift of Life

"It is humbling to understand that physicians practice to save and preserve the gift of human life,” says Dr. Patrick Mangonon, a board certified cardiothoracic (heart and lung) surgeon serving Palm Beach County since 1999. He notes further that “we often take life for granted until we or someone we love becomes seriously ill. I see this in most patients that I care for in the hospital and clinic.”

However, this is exactly what appears to inspire Dr. Mangonon to use his acquired knowledge and skill to help patients.

“If a surgical procedure can help a patient overcome illness, then I always hope that patient has an opportunity to have beneficial surgery. Furthermore, if I am the surgeon asked to help a patient, I apply an individualized and thoughtful approach in order to achieve the best outcomes for my patients.”

Superior Rate of Operative Success

Dr. Mangonon’s experience and strict adherence to standard of care guidelines results in superior rate of operative success. In 2006 and 2007 he performed 460 surgeries on the heart and lungs. In all of these cases which included 200 major heart and 225 major lung procedures at four different area hospitals, he recorded a 0% mortality rate! Dr. Mangonon is quick to point out, though, that the “Team Concept”, in which he collaborates with his referring physicians, invariably leads to the best methods of selecting patients that are suitable candidates for surgery and thereby choosing patients with the lowest potential risk of death or complications.

Dr. Mangonon clearly recognizes, however, the patient outcomes stem from healthcare delivery beyond the operating room. “Post-operative care of patients must be nothing short of ‘first class’. It requires a refined set of protocols that incorporate the current standards and practice guidelines for speedy patient recovery. It also requires modern and clean hospital facilities and equipment.

Ultimately, for an operation to be successful, it is imperative that the quality and experience of the surgeon, nurses, surgical staff, and especially the hospital are topnotch,” says Dr. Mangonon, referring to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center where he has staff privileges to perform surgery on the heart and lung.

“In my practice I am able to provide surgical care for all patients with cardiovascular disease, arrhythmias, lung disease, and lung cancer,” said Dr. Mangonon. “I can perform conventional and “off-pump” coronary artery bypass surgeries, aortic and mitral valve replacements, surgery to remove lung cancer, pacemaker implantations, and thoracic (chest) lymph node biopsy procedures. Looking forward, I plan on expanding my practice to include advanced surgical repair of mitral valve disease and surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation.”

Commitment to Innovation

Heart surgery in Palm Beach County entered a new period a few years ago when Dr. Mangonon became the first surgeon to perform Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization (TMR) at an area hospital. At the time it appeared to provide a new surgical alternative for a subset of patients once thought not to be candidates for surgery. Although this procedure has since lost its appeal and is no longer performed Dr. Mangonon’s efforts remains a testimony to his commitment to bringing innovation and advances in surgical treatment of heart and lung disease to patients in Palm Beach County.

In collaboration with heart arrhythmia doctors in the treatment of heart failure, Dr. Mangonon has distinguished himself as a leader. “In about 10-20 percent of the patients, electrophysiologists (doctors that treat heart arrhythmias) are not able to implant the leads on the inside of the heart through the standard approach,” said Dr. Mangonon. “In these patients, I can implant the leads onto the surface of the left heart (the “epicardium”) through a small incision in the left chest.” Over the years, Dr. Mangonon has performed almost 60 such cases which is the largest series of Left Ventricular epicardial lead insertions in Palm Beach County.

From an academic perspective, Dr. Mangonon is co-author of a number of medical papers and co-editor of a surgical textbook published in 1999, “Understanding Surgical Disease”.

Patient-centered quality care

In spite of his superior clinical record, his varied accomplishments and his recent contributions to the advancement of heart and lung surgery in Palm Beach County, Dr. Mangonon refuses to take pride in his success. On the contrary, humility and respect for the patient remain at the center of Dr. Mangonon’s practice.

“As physicians we must remember that the patient is not a statistic. Each patient is a human being that deserves respect and caring compassion,” said Dr. Mangonon. “I understand the deep meaning of compassionate patient care because on more than one occasion my loved ones have received critically important healthcare. Because of my experiences I believe I relate very well with patients that are ill. There’s an old saying -- ‘Patients don’t really care what you know, they just want to know that you really care’.”

Indeed it is clear that Dr. Patrick Mangonon’s lifelong mission is to contribute to the advancement of cardiothoracic surgery and to be able to preserve the gift of life.

Dr. Mangonon has staff privileges in area hospitals that include Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, Wellington Regional Medical Center, Palms West Hospital, and JFK Medical Center. Dr. Patrick Mangonon’s office is located at 13005 Southern Blvd., Suite 131, Loxahatchee, FL 33470. Should you have questions concerning Dr. Mangonon’s surgical practice or wish to make an appointment to see Dr. Mangonon please call 561.753.7890 or e-mail at ptmangonon @ aol.com