Key points from today’s guests:
Rick Tegethoff, heart transplant recipient
- At 62, Rick had not been too a doctor in more than 50 years.
- When something didn’t feel right, he finally saw a doctor who diagnosed him with cardiac amyloidosis, a buildup of abnormal proteins in the tissues of the heart.
- Rick’s situation was dire as his heart had grown twice the size it should be and needed a transplant as soon as possible.
- He almost went to see specialists in New York, until he realized that the care he needed was right here in Kansas.
- He went home 10 days after his transplant and is doing very well.
- He thanks the donor and family for their sacrifice and tries to honor their gift by living a good life and educating others about amyloidosis.
Dr. Zubair Shah, director of the cardiac amyloid program, The University of Kansas Health System
- There is a general lack of awareness about amyloidosis and it is very difficult to diagnose.
- Some of the more unique clues are bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Until 2018, there was no treatment available for it. The protein buildup in the heart makes it unable to perform its usual function.
- It does make the heart transplant more complicated because the rest of the body’s organs are not prepared for the blood pumping from a healthy heart.
- I do want to emphasize the transplant part of amyloidosis is a team effort – the surgeons. our nurse practitioners, cardiothoracic ICU – it requires a lot of people and a lot of work to see results like this, so I thank all of them.
