From Knee Surgery to Cardiac Crisis: Trisha Bartels

Trisha Bartels didn't expect any surprises.

When she scheduled her knee replacement surgery in March 2024, the Starbuck resident anticipated a typical recovery — some discomfort, physical therapy and a gradual return to normal life.

Just days after the procedure, however, a whirlwind of symptoms led to a surprise diagnosis that changed everything: a pulmonary embolism (PE), a serious condition caused by the development of blood clots in the lungs, affecting 900,000 Americans a year.

"I was actually doing really well after surgery," Trisha recalled. She was up, moving, even impressing the physical therapist — until nausea crept in. "It's something that always happens when I take pain meds," she said. "I honestly didn't think much of it."

By Friday morning, however, things had taken a turn. She passed out on the way to the bathroom. Her equilibrium was off. She was exhausted. Even still, she chalked it up to the medication and tried to push through. Her kids were coming home for Easter, and she didn't want to worry anyone.

"I thought I just needed fluids," she said. "So, I asked my daughter to drive me to the ER. I didn't even let my husband come — I figured I'd be in and out."

But when she arrived at the emergency room in Glenwood, nurse Gabby Steinkraus and Claire Fletcher, MD, noticed something wasn't right. Despite insisting that she wasn't out of breath and had no leg pain, Dr. Fletcher ordered a scan – just to be safe.

The scan revealed multiple blood clots in her lungs, affecting blood flow and causing pressure on her heart.

Shortly after, Trisha was airlifted to CentraCare - St. Cloud Hospital, where Interventional Cardiologist Thom Dahle, MD, treated her with the INARI FlowTriever, the first FDA-approved medical device made specifically for the removal of lung clots.

"Lung clots have traditionally been treated with medication, often requiring weeks or even months of recovery. FlowTriever, however, is a gamechanger," said Dr. Dahle. "The technology is minimally invasive, well-tolerated by most people and results are often immediate. The single-session procedure takes only an hour and is done with conscious sedation, allowing half of all patients to go home within a day."

The device is inserted through a vein in the groin and threaded up through the heart and into the lung area. The device uses a catheter to "vacuum" out the blood clots without the need for clot-busting drugs.

Trisha's procedure was a success. Despite her knee replacement surgery just days earlier — she was up and walking that same evening and discharged the next day.

"We've been told our PE program ‘gets it right,'" said CentraCare's CHIP/Shock Coordinator Tanya Glenz, RN. "From rapid response to follow-up, our catheter-based approach leads to excellent outcomes and shorter hospital stays for patients." CentraCare Heart & Vascular also contributes to national research on PE devices and educates hospitals throughout the nation on the topic.

Trisha knows how narrowly she avoided disaster. "I had no leg pain, no shortness of breath," she recalled. "And because of a childhood accident, I can't feel heat on one side of my body — so I never felt the typical warning signs for blood clots."

Now, back at work as a software developer and project manager, Trisha is grateful for every moment spent with those she loves.

She credits the Glenwood ER and CentraCare Heart & Vascular teams not just for their skill, but for seeing what others might have missed, making her laugh and feeling deeply cared for. "The technology saved me," she said, "but the people made the difference."

As for what comes next? She smiles. "God didn't want me yet. I figure He still needs me here — to keep everyone on their toes a little longer."