laser bypass surgery

Posted by Sue R. on June 09, 1999 at 14:36:35
Hello, I posted a message previously about my brother who will need either a triple bypass and/or heart transplant.  What do you know about a laser bypass technique that is much less invasive than regular bypass surgery? Where is it done and what are the names of some doctors who do this procudure?  Thanks for your help.

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on June 09, 1999 at 17:32:03
Dear Sue
There is a surgical procedure called TMR which uses laser energy to try to create new blood vessels in very diseased hearts. In addition, there is a newer version of that procedure that uses catheters to deliver the laser energy, avoiding the need for surgery altogether - this is still experimental. If your brother is interested in seeing if he is eligible for this trial he can call the number below and make an appointment with either Dr. Ellis or Dr. Whitlow.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
Posted by Sue R. on June 10, 1999 at 08:18:39
Thank you for this information.  My brother is currently under the care of Dr. Walsh at the Medical College of Ohio and Dr. Boatman is his cardiologist.  Do you know if this procedure is done at MCO and by whom. Is there an e-mail address for MCO that you know of that I could have to contact them directly?  Also, my brother is having some visual problems.  Could this be due to any cardiac medications he is on?  What, if any, cardiac medications could cause visual disturbances like he is having- periodic crescent shaped "floaters".  Thank you again for your help and information.

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on June 10, 1999 at 08:47:43
Dear Sue
I do not know if they are doing this at MCO, nor do I have an email address for them.
I would not blame the visual problems on a medication. His symptoms warrant an evaluation by an opthalmologist for a potentially sight-threatening condition.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.