From an interview with
Dr. David Steflik
McLeod Pediatric Cardiology

On October 4, 2022, what began as a routine day for Natalia Urbina turned out to be anything but typical. While at home watching TV, Natalia suddenly experienced immense chest pain, lightheadedness, numbness in her arms, and chills. She couldn’t breathe. “The pain was so bad, I honestly thought I was dying,” recalls Natalia. “I just prayed.” 

Here is Natalia’s story:

Medical teams quickly attended to Natalia after her mother, Yecenia, rushed her to McLeod Regional Medical Center Emergency Department (ED). Natalia’s troponin levels, markers of heart damage, were elevated.

The care team consulted with McLeod Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. David Steflik, who ordered an EKG. He discovered Natalia was suffering from viral myocarditis and admitted her to the McLeod Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

“This condition involves inflammation of the heart muscle, which is induced by a preceding viral infection – perhaps days, even weeks, before,” explains Dr. Steflik. “We immediately began high-dose steroids and admitted Natalia to the PICU for continuous telemetry monitoring since she was at a high risk of developing arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.”

If not treated immediately, viral myocarditis can be life-threatening as well as cause significant damage to the heart. Dr. Steflik met with Natalia and Yecenia once she settled into the PICU. They both recall being immediately impressed.

“Dr. Steflik was so sweet and patient, explaining everything so I could understand what was happening,” says Natalia. She spent the next three days in the PICU under the care of McLeod Intensivists, including Dr. Efrain Sanchez.

“It was a relief having Dr. Sanchez convey everything about Natalia’s care in Spanish and not requiring an interpreter,” says Yecenia. “The staff would often stop in with a smile on their face to check on us. Everyone was so kind during our PICU stay.”

Once Natalia finished her course of high-dose steroids, she moved to the pediatric floor. By this time, her heart damage had waned, she had no fluid build-up and her heart function was never affected.

“Through the collaboration of our entire care team – ED staff, pediatric intensivists, pediatric hospitalists, pediatric pharmacists, pediatric sonographer and specialized nurses – Natalia quickly recovered without any complications,” explains Dr. Steflik.

Since October, Natalia has continued to undergo follow-up care with Dr. Steflik at his office, McLeod Pediatric Cardiology. Recently, she experienced recurrent chest pain, which led Dr. Steflik to order a CT scan. Results revealed a very rare congenital heart defect, a myocardial bridge, which has since been repaired. Natalia will be closely monitored in the months ahead. Yet, despite this, she is a thriving teenager who leads a happy, healthy life.

“I could not be more grateful for this hospital and these wonderful physicians so close to home,” says Yencia. “They saved my daughter’s life.”

Learn more here about McLeod’s pediatric cardiology services.