Cardiologist grateful for KMC heart center

A Coeur d’Alene cardiologist who suffered a heart attack while making medical rounds Tuesday said he was grateful for the skill of his colleagues and the creation of Kootenai Medical Center’s North Idaho Heart Center.

Dr. James Pataky, 56, had a stent implanted within 21 minutes of the midday episode, said Lisa Johnson, KMC spokeswoman. His heart was shocked back into rhythm by his friends and co-workers Dr. Ronald Fritz and Dr. Kevin Kavanaugh.

“If I had to be sent to Spokane, I would not have had nearly as good an outcome because of the time delay,” Pataky told Johnson.

Pataky was alert and in good condition Wednesday afternoon at KMC, Johnson said. The doctor, who has practiced in Coeur d’Alene since 1979, is affiliated with Heart Clinics Northwest, which has offices in Washington and Idaho.

Johnson said Pataky was testament to the success of a nearly $10 million investment in 2003 in the North Idaho Heart Center, which aims to provide state-of-the-art cardiac care to the region’s five northernmost counties.