Wednesday, April 19, 2000
Local patient gets latest in pacemakers
Device treats irregular rhythm and slow beats
BY Tim Bonfield
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A Hyde Park man on Monday became the first local patient to receive the latest advance in pacemakers — one equipped to treat and prevent irregular heartbeats in addition to speeding up slow heartbeats.
Sanford Lockspeiser, 77, was fitted with the Medtronic AT500 pacemaker during surgery performed at Christ Hospital by Dr. Edward Schloss, a member of the Ohio Heart Center.
“This is the first pacemaker designed to treat atrial fibrillation (irregular beating in the upper chambers of the heart). That's something that will help a lot of people,” Dr. Schloss said.
Mr. Lockspeiser got his pacemaker as part of a multicenter clinical trial. The first AT500 pacemakers were installed in Europe in June. The first U.S. case was performed in October in Springfield, Mo.
According to Medtronic, an estimated 600,000 people worldwide get pacemakers every year, primarily to treat bradycardia, or abnormally slow heartbeats. An additional 720,000 people every year are diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat that increases stroke risks and sends thousands to emergency rooms.
An estimated 150,000 people a year have both problems at the same time.
Dr. Schloss said the AT500 addresses both problems with a single device. Until now, most people with atrial fibrillation were treated with medication.
This device has enough computing power to analyze and stay ahead of a patient's heartbeat so that it prevents some irregular beats. If an irregular rhythm occurs, the device automatically speeds up the heart in an effort to prevent a second bout, Dr. Schloss said.
In addition, the device can store heartbeat data for doctors to use when analyzing a patient's care.
Mr. Lockspeiser has had heart problems since 1993, including blockages that required two angioplasties. In recent years, a slow heartbeat has left him fatigued, but the problem wasn't se vere enough to require immediate treatment.
More recently, an irregular heartbeat started, making him a candidate for the new device.
“Once Dr. Schloss told me about the study, I told him I'd be willing to volunteer,” he said. “I could have had a regular pacemaker, but then I would still need to take medications for the arrhythmia. Hopefully, I won't need to take the medications.”
Auditor confident she'll beat charge
Traffic stop ends in fatal shooting
Building a bridge between faiths
Lebanon, state in tiff over retirement buyouts
Local patient gets latest in pacemakers
Monroe expected to OK Hustler store
Paul Brown Stadium deemed fund hog
Local filmmaker's 'Golem' ready at last
AM REPORT
'Angel' won't fall from lineup
Answers sought after Hilltop fire
Book helps own ers master canine communication
CCM's theater season stresses art of diversity
Commission: Education should be the focus over politics
Get to it
Great Danes, rescuers need aid months after fire
Just 1 remains on MRDD board
Learning project brings new building
Legal Aid Society gets $350,000 grant approval
Library wins parking spaces
Middletown OKs golf-fee increase
Monroe board sets open enrollment priorities
Nearly all CCM season created in '90s
Proffitt returning to Ohio
Students study a river's life forms
Suspect can't recall shooting
Teen charged in death of friend
Teen saves sister, self from fire
Volunteer groups honored for 'making a difference'
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
