Key points from today’s guests:
Brian Pitts, heart transplant recipient, organ donation ambassador
- Brian was one of about 3,500 people in the U.S. waiting for a new heart.
- As a wedding guest back in 2007, he suffered a heart attack. Luckily, the bride was a nurse and administered CPR until paramedics arrived.
- He was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as he was born with a congenital defect.
- After several cardiac events, he was told he needed a heart transplant.
- He was waitlisted for 63 days before receiving his new heart and now he is an ambassador for organ donation, helping others go through the process.
- Two years after his heart transplant, he continues to thank the donor family for their sacrifice and encourages other to be an organ donor so they can save lives.
Dr. Matthew Danter, cardiac surgeon, The University of Kansas Health System
- We have a dedicated team of coordinators, and we liaise with organ procurement organizations that help coordinate that whole effort.
- There are many moving parts so families have to be patient.
- We have multiple new technologies, new devices, and new modes of organ procurement that we're exploring to improve the process.
- A change in the transplant allocation rules has made us have to adjust how we approach transplants.
Dr. Loren Berenbom, electrophysiologist, cardiologist, The University of Kansas Health System
- Cardiomyopathy is a sick heart muscle that is too thick and while you might think that's a good thing, it can cause many types of problems.
- We helped Brian get his kids genetically tested.
- When I see somebody with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, I always try and get genetic testing completed and that testing is positive in about two thirds of patients.
- If we test somebody and their genes are negative, that doesn't mean we have the wrong diagnosis. We have the right diagnosis, but it changes the way we manage kids and other family members.
Friday, May 17 at 8 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. Many suffer with arthritis, but surgery can bring relief. See one of the newest methods that restores cartilage and eliminates pain.
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