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Diagnosis Makes Heart Skip A Beat, But All Ends Well

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By RICHARD PHELAN

Special to the Tribune

Published: May 9, 2008

The article I submitted about our life in Betmar Acres was meant to be my last contribution before heading back North. However, thinking it just might be helpful, I thought I would share with fellow readers my health-related experiences of the last few days.

Because of the quintuple bypass I had in August 2001, my primary care physician had me take a stress test, which I never look forward to having. Earlier this year I begrudgingly took the test at a local hospital, and I thought I had performed quite well. For once - actually for the first time - I was not exhausted, gasping for breath or walking on rubbery legs.

And wouldn't you know that after my greatest performance ever, there was a problem. The cardiologist who read the EKG noted there was a prominent irregularity. Voicing his concern, our doctor suggested I select a cardiologist for a thorough checkup.

Following the advice of a good friend, we selected a local doctor and were able to get an appointment very quickly. Having access to my recent test, my new doctor ordered a 24-hour heart monitor test and an ultrasound scan of my carotid arteries.

As it turned out, the scan was fine, but the heart monitor showed there had been two "runs" of ventricular tachycardia. Knowing this condition could very well lead to loss of consciousness and sudden death if not corrected, the doctor ordered a cardiac catheterization and an ElectroPhysiology Study (which I had never even heard of before).

After completing three hours of pre-op procedures a few days afterward and having my last snack at 11:30 that night, I was at the hospital bright and early the next day, squeaky clean and ready for whatever lay ahead. The good nurses wasted no time in preparing me for the first test, the cardiac catheterization, which included being shaved.

By 9:30 a.m. I was placed on a gurney and wheeled through the corridors and into the operating room. The cardiologist was prompt and immediately began the procedure. His original plan was to view the heart and surrounding blood vessels, checking for whatever might be causing the tachycardia and hopefully correct any abnormalities.

During the process, he discovered that two of the five grafts done in 2001 were gone! But inasmuch as the other three were functioning well and the heart itself was in pretty good shape, he withdrew the catheter without any further intervention, and I was wheeled into the recovery room to await the next procedure, scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Having missed breakfast and lunch, I had a powerful hunger for something, anything. However, as the recovery room nurse was applying 20 minutes of pressure on the spot where the catheter was inserted, she confirmed my worst fears: There would be no food or drink until after the second procedure was completed.

I was to lay perfectly still, taking great care in not moving my right leg at all. My wife, who had accompanied me to the hospital, was allowed to come in once in a while to check on me. Then, as it was time for the EP study, I was prepped again and wheeled into a different operating room. After about 20 minutes waiting for the specialist, I began to shiver uncontrollably. Hoping that someone in that meat locker would notice my discomfort, I held my tongue until I could no longer stand the cold. Finally, I spoke out in a small, quivering voice: "Could someone please cover me with something? I'm freezing in here!"

Immediately, my hairless scalp and naked shoulders were covered with a heavenly warm blanket. I was given oxygen and evidently an anesthetic, and that was the last thing I remembered until I awoke in the recovery room.

The good news was that after about four hours of probing and poking, this doctor was unable to put my heart into any sustained tachycardia. He could not determine the cause of my problem, either.

But based on his findings, or lack thereof, he proclaimed I had a low risk of dying from ventricular tachycardia. After preparing my mind for at least the implantation of a defibrillator, all of this was great, unexpected news for us.

Ravenous by this time, my only thought was, "When can I eat?" And true to an earlier promise, a hot turkey meal was delivered promptly to my bed. My wife had to feed me, as once again I was ordered to be perfectly still while facing at least another four-hour recovery period before being released that night - 14 hours after I checked in.

The condition of ventricle tachycardia is not something to ignore or take lightly, as it can lead to dizziness, fainting and death if not rectified quickly.

The writer, a retired General Motors benefits administrator, is a seasonal resident of Zephyrhills.

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