By Melissa Campbell
Mark Sechler was at work in early May, chatting and laughing with co-workers, when he started to feel woozy.
“All of a sudden, I was like, ‘Who the heck hit me?’” he recalls.
It was Sechler’s internal defibrillator, shocking his heart back into a normal rhythm.
He’d gone into ventricular tachycardia (v-tach), his heart racing more than 200 beats per minute. V-tach occurs in the heart’s lower chambers and can cause sudden cardiac arrest, which often leads to death.
Almost two years prior, Sechler’s heart stopped after suffering v-tach. Thanks to quick reactions and interventions, he was revived.
To keep him alive and well, a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) was implanted. Sechler was the first person to receive this type of defibrillator at MultiCare Auburn Medical Center’s cardiac catheterization lab.
The “hit” from the device in May saved Sechler from having another sudden death episode.
These arrhythmias were a result of a heart attack he suffered at age 11. Now, at 23 years old, Sechler has learned to live with serious health issues with grace and an easy smile.
A handful of first responders, nurses and physicians recently gathered to celebrate Sechler and everything he’s overcome in his short life.
His story also serves as a reminder to care teams about the importance of the work they do every day.
“When we see these positive outcomes, it feeds our soul,” says Tina Soete, clinical director of cardiovascular diagnostics for Pulse Heart Institute at Auburn Medical Center. “The last three years have been tough, and we needed a good reminder of why we do this. Mark’s story did that.”
Heart attack at 11 years old
Sechler’s family lived in Germany for a time when he was a child. His father was serving in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Ramstein Air Base.
Young Sechler was a sixth grader having a typical day at school when his world stopped.
“We were practicing a fire drill. There was no physical activity,” he says. “I walked out of the school and then something felt off. I fell. It was hard to breathe. I remember a classmate asked me if I was OK. The coach took me to the nurse and she told me to lay down. Next thing I remember I woke up in the hospital.”
Sechler’s heart attack was highly unusual for someone so young.
Cardiologists in Germany performed balloon angioplasty, a procedure to open narrow and blocked arteries. Surgeons later repaired his mitral valve, done when the valves in the upper heart chamber don’t open or close properly.
Unfortunately, Sechler’s heart suffered irreparable damage that had long-term implications.
Growing up with a major heart condition, he quickly learned to take things easy. He climbed his share of trees, but recognized that major sports like football or track weren’t going to be his thing.
“It was hard. As a child I wanted to run around,” Sechler says.
Second major cardiac event
Thankfully, Sechler was at home when his heart stopped in December 2021. He walked down the stairs to tell his parents he was feeling off. They thought he was having a panic attack.
He collapsed after suffering ventricular tachycardia, a common cause of sudden cardiac arrest in patients with previous heart damage. His parents started CPR and called 911 within seconds of Sechler hitting the floor.
When the ambulance arrived, medics took over CPR and shocked his heart twice. They intubated him and rushed him to Auburn Medical Center.
Emergency department physician Scott Haight, MD, and staff stabilized Sechler and put him on a ventilator. Intensive care unit providers and staff cooled his body to preserve his brain function.
There’s no great time to see someone in the hospital, but it’s especially difficult during the holiday season, says Jason Davis, MD, a cardiologist from Pulse Heart Institute at Auburn Medical Center.
“I first met Mark in a way I don’t like to meet people,” Dr. Davis says. “He was in the ICU and on a ventilator.”
It was two weeks before Christmas and everyone wanted to do what they could to ensure Sechler was home for the holiday.
Led by Dr. Davis, the procedure to insert the S-ICD was done on a weekend to ensure recovery time and, if all was well, discharge in time for Christmas dinner at home with his family.
“I am proud of everyone involved in Mark’s care, including EMS, ED staff, ICU, nursing staff, our cath lab team, internists and anesthesia services,” says Dr. Davis. “They all came together to really give this young man state-of-the-art care. He was truly at the right place with the right providers at the right time.”
The subcutaneous implantable defibrillator procedure is a less-invasive alternative to a traditional defibrillator and is ideal when having to implant devices in younger patients so they don’t have long-lasting complications, Dr. Davis explains.
Defibrillator does its job, preventing another cardiac arrest
The shock in May was a surprise for Sechler, but his defibrillator was working as it should.
When EMTs were called to the scene, Capt. Joel Toline from the Valley Regional Fire Authority recognized Sechler from his Christmastime 911 call.
“Fortunately, it’s very rare to see someone so young have a case like this,” Toline says. “On the second call, I recognized his name.”
Because of the defibrillator during his ventricular tachycardia in May, Sechler avoided CPR, hospitalization and being placed on a ventilator. The defibrillator did exactly what it was meant to do: save a life and decrease serious illness or injury related to sudden cardiac death.
Sechler doesn’t recall much of his time in the hospital, but is grateful for everyone involved in his care.
“I had made plans to return to school after COVID settled down,” he says. “Then this happened and I was like, ‘What now?’ But I got back on track.”
He recently graduated from Central Washington University, studying Japanese and Russian.
At the gathering he smiled and spoke briefly to those in attendance.
“I am so grateful. I would not be here without all of you people,” Sechler says. “I just graduated from college. I didn’t think I’d make it this far. Thank you so much.”
After a round of photos and individual thank-yous, Sechler went upstairs for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Davis.
The internal defibrillator will likely be with him for life. It’s a small bulge on his upper left side that he touches gently when he refers to it.
“It took some getting used to,” he says. “But hey, I’m still standing. My heart is still beating. I am making the most out of my life. I do appreciate the little things.”
For more information about Pulse Heart Institute and its programs, visit the Pulse website or call:
Inland Northwest 509-755-5500
Puget Sound Region 253-572-7320