Construction underway at Keystone and Main St.
By Kevin Kane
Current in Carmel

 Crews began working at the Keystone Parkway and Main Street intersection on Dec. 28 in preparation for the construction of the new interchange at that location, the final phase of the three-year Keystone Avenue Reconstruction Project.



Currently, workers are clearing the right of way and relocating utilities in preparation for more extensive construction efforts which will take place in a few months. Project manager Jeremy Kashman said drivers may see an occasional lane closure as these crews work, but the intersection will not be closed until April 15, at the earliest.



“According to our contract, the construction company cannot close the intersection until April 15,” Kashman said.



The time frame in which the funds for the project become available will dictate if construction starts on April 15 or later. Once the construction starts on that mid-April date or later ,the intersection will be closed for 45 days. Kashman said the plan is to start construction as early as possible to limit inconvenience for area drivers.

“As long as we can hit that April 15 date, we should be able to get the intersection reopened in time for the start of school,” he said.

Currently, there is no map or plan regarding detour routes to be used during the closure of this intersection. Kashman said that task is near the top of his to-do list. He said he will have one completed within the next couple weeks, and once the plan is finalized, it can be reviewed - along with other project details – at www.CarmelLink.org.

St.Vincent patient receives lifesaving “shock” from innovative vest
For Current in Carmel

On Dec. 21 at 11 a.m., William Sears, 60, will share his astonishing story of suffering sudden cardiac arrest while sleeping, and being resuscitated by the LifeVest.  Sears’ near-fatal arrhythmia was detected by the device, and he was brought back to life during this holiday season.  The Boone County resident will be joined by Dr. Richard Fogel, electrophysiologist at the St.Vincent Heart Center of Indiana, who will discuss the benefits of the wearable cardioverter defibrillator for at-risk patients.
 
The LifeVest is a non-invasive device, which consists of a garment and a monitor, and is worn under clothing and around the waist or from a shoulder strap respectively.  The wearable defibrillator works by monitoring a patient’s heart of arrhythmias, and if a life-threatening heart rhythm is detected, it delivers a timely treatment shock to restore normal heart rhythm. 
 
Patients who are at risk for sudden cardiac arrest, and have a history of cardiovascular problems are best candidates for the LifeVest.  The cutting-edge device can also be prescribed for patients who are awaiting surgery for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. 
 
The LifeVest does not require family, bystander or EMS intervention, and has a 98 percent first treatment success rate for resuscitating patients from sudden cardiac arrest.  It has been prescribed to more than 22,000 patients nationwide, and each individual is fitted and educated on the device. 
 
Patients can work, perform moderate exercise and continue with their everyday lifestyle while wearing the LifeVest.  It has been documented that the 1.8 pound device creates convenience and peace of mind for patients.
 
Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the U.S., and claims the lives of more than 325,000 people annually.

Event information:

WHAT:         LifeVest – Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator
 
WHO:           William Sears, patient saved by the LifeVest
 
                        Dr. Richard Fogel, electrophysiologist at the
St.Vincent Heart Center of Indiana
 
WHEN:        Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.
 
WHERE:     St.Vincent Heart Center of Indiana
                        10580 N. Meridian Street
                        Indianapolis, IN 46290
 
For more information, call (317) 338-6666.