Look at Everything

February 20, 2024   |  Christine P. Shen, MD

Poetry

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ST elevations, take to the lab!
But look at the Hgb
of five; he's bleeding.
Cancel the code – call gastrointestinal.

I'm engaged and ready for a puff!
But look at the pressure dampening,
the loss of that dicrotic notch.
You just might dissect the left main.

I'm ready to cine!
But look at the little bubble
swimming in the manifold,
growing up to be an air embolism.

I wired the vessel, yes I did it!
But look at the premature ventricular contractions.
Your wire's off the screen
causing a distal wire perforation.

My balloon is well expanded!
But look at the blush
so subtle and demure,
exposing a balloon perforation.

I jimmy the stent down, it's across!
But look at your guide,
its retreat into outer space.
You're going to lose everything.

Step by step I learn
new techniques and new tricks.
But at all times,
look at everything.

Christine P. Shen, MD

This poem was authored by Christine P. Shen, MD, an interventional cardiology fellow at Scripps Health in La Jolla, CA. @iconsideritjoy

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