Success story confirms: TMR is a new channel of hope for the heart

For Immediate Release
June 28, 2000
Contact: Maria E. Ramos
(219) 865-2141, ext. 45321
Maria.Ramos@ssfhs.org

Hammond, Ind. -- Native Chicagoan Harold Morrow, 72, suffered a heart attack in February. When he awoke during the night to use the bathroom, he began having difficulty breathing and noticed he was perspiring profusely. Harold took two aspirins and felt himself becoming light-headed. At this point, he called out to his daughter and she, in turn, called 911.

By the time the Emergency unit arrived, Harold could barely breathe. "I thought I was going to die," he said. "I felt I was at death’s door."

The Chicago hospital Harold was rushed to administered diuretics to eliminate the excess fluid and monitored his heart rhythm. Harold was informed he had advanced coronary artery disease (CAD). Only one artery remained open and his heart function was poor, at 25 to 30 percent. Surgery was imperative, and the sooner the better.

"My family and I were told I should go to Saint Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers, that they might be able to help me," Harold said.

Dr. Michael Perelman, a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon on staff at Saint Margaret Mercy’s North Campus in Hammond, reviewed Harold’s case. "Angioplasty or bypass surgery was not an option for Mr. Morrow," Dr. Perelman said. "He was, however, a candidate for Transmyocardial Revascularization (TMR) in conjunction with a quadruple coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)."

The TMR and CABG were performed by Dr. Perelman and Dr. George Hodakowski, also a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon on staff.

Saint Margaret Mercy is the only hospital in Northwest Indiana and southeast Chicagoland to offer this revolutionary surgical procedure that uses a high-energy, computer-synchronized carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to create channels through the oxygen-deprived heart muscle (myocardium). CO2 TMR is a minimally invasive surgical procedure, using a small left chest incision, which is performed on the beating heart.

Using the Heart Laser™ System, the surgeon creates between 20 and 40 channels, each 1 millimeter wide, into the left ventricle of the heart. The laser is computer controlled and is synchronized with the heartbeat so that the laser pulse is triggered when the ventricle is relaxed and filled with blood (diastole).

"During diastole, the heart is less sensitive to stimuli, which may reduce the risk of arrhythmia (harmful heart rhythms)," Dr. Perelman said. "A year after the surgery, 75 to 80 percent of patients will experience significant improvement in their angina."

Harold Morrow’s outcome was excellent, with his functional status improving dramatically immediately following surgery. "After the operation, I walked around the hospital hallways giving thanks to God for preserving me," he said. "I walked around four times, which is about 1,000 feet, without assistance."

"The team of surgeons at Saint Margaret Mercy are the most wonderful I’ve ever encountered," Harold said. "I’ve told my children that if I need any other surgery, to take me there."

A study published in the March 6, 2000, issue of the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery confirms: "Patients with advanced coronary artery disease who underwent surgical transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) combined with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery had improved survival and clinical outcomes compared with patients who underwent CABG alone."

For more information on TMR or for a brochure, call Saint Margaret Mercy’s Health Resource Center at 1-888-784-2100.