The Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island
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Andrew Infantino

3/17/2022

 
Andrew Infantino doesn’t remember the close of 2020. However, his wife, Amanda, does but may want to forget.
Andrew was fighting COVID-19. After two weeks of isolating in their home’s spare bedroom, the Nesconset resident’s condition did not improve. Amanda took her weak and dehydrated husband to Catholic Health’s St. Catherine of Siena Hospital (Smithtown, NY) where he was admitted and diagnosed with pneumonia.
“I spoke with Andrew just after he was settled in his room,” Amanda recalled. “In addition to pneumonia, he said his head was hurting badly. I told him to make sure he told the doctors.”
But Andrew never had a chance. Just hours later he suffered a stroke. Amanda was quickly informed and told her husband was being transferred to another Catholic Health facility, Good Samaritan Hospital (West Islip, NY). There, he was treated by Catholic Health’s Chairman of Neurointerventional Services Kimon Bekelis, MD. 
“The doctors believe the stroke was related to COVID, as the virus can thicken the blood,” Amanda said. “The fact that Andrew was in bed for a couple of weeks likely didn’t help.”
Andrew was suffering from a condition known as extensive cerebral venous thrombosis, which occurs when a blood clot forms in the brain's venous sinuses. This prevents blood from draining out of the brain. As a result, blood cells may break and leak blood into the brain tissues, forming a hemorrhage.
Dr. Bekelis told Amanda that her husband had a low chance of surviving. Fortunately, Andrew’s condition stabilized for a period of 24 hours. This allowed Dr. Bekelis to perform a lifesaving venous thrombectomy on the then 39-year old to remove the clot.
Following surgery, Andrew’s condition improved and in two weeks, he was smiling and waving to his wife and their three sons through FaceTime calls. And after seven weeks at Good Samaritan Hospital, he returned home.
“I didn’t need to do a great deal of rehabilitation,” Andrew said. “I had a physical therapist come to my hospital room daily to help me regain my strength.”
Throughout her husband’s stay, Amanda said the physicians and nurses were “amazing.”
“No matter when I called, they would speak with me and give me updates on Andrew’s condition. They would also take the time to connect us on FaceTime as my visits were limited by COVID restrictions,” she said.
Added Andrew, “From the doctors, to the nurses and staff, everyone was wonderful. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Today, Andrew is doing well, working, enjoying his family and living a normal life.
“If you didn’t know my story, you would have no idea of what I went through,” he said. “I can’t thank Dr. Bekelis and the entire team at Good Samaritan for the care they provided. They saved my life!”

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Thank you for your interest in The Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island®. Our program has attracted a diverse group of national experts, and is the first and only Joint Commission Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center in the South Shore of Long Island.
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outpatient locations

Babylon
60 George Street
Babylon, NY 11702


West Islip
380 Montauk Highway
West Islip, NY 11795


Smithtown
St. Catherine of Siena Medical Office Bldg.
48 Route 25A, Suite 302 
Smithtown, NY 11787

inpatient LOCATION

Tel: 631-983-7072
Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center
1000 Montauk Hwy.
West Islip, NY 11795

http://goodsamaritan.chsli.org/strokebraincenter
To contact our office please call 631-983-7072
For press inquiries please call 631-487-3119 
The Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island © All rights reserved 2022
  • Home
  • Staff
    • Department Heads >
      • Kimon Bekelis, MD, FAANS, FAHA, FACS
      • Jason Waller, RT
    • Physicians >
      • Kimon Bekelis, MD, FAANS, FAHA, FACS
      • Miklos Marosfoi, MD
      • Symeon Missios, MD, FAANS
    • Advanced Practice Providers >
      • Elizabeth Hogan, ARNP
      • Amanda Mirchel, PA-C
      • Hillary Bekelis, ARNP
  • Facilities
  • Patients
    • Stories
    • Support Group
    • Be Prepared >
      • Diseases
      • Treatments
  • News
  • Make a difference
  • Contact us/Referrals