Experimental surgery a proven success

An experimental surgery used by University of Washington cardiologists more than nine years ago has proven itself effective in extending and improving the life of a West Seattle man.

Ron Gracey, the UW Medical Center's (UWMC) first patient to receive the surgery, passed away in early November due to unrelated causes.

In fact, his heart was so strong that doctors decided to turn his pacemaker down from 75 beats per minute to 40 so he could rest, said Lola Gracey, Ron's wife.

According to The Seattle Times, the experimental surgery involves the use of a cold excimer laser to burn holes through the heart. The holes restore blood flow through the production of small blood vessels within the heart.

Called transmyocardial revascularization (TMR), it is used only in combination with traditional coronary-artery bypass surgery, said cardiologist Lee Amsler of Group Health Hospital, who originally suggested the surgery to the Graceys.

Amsler said TMR is not superior to bypass surgery, as it doesn't last as long. However, it offers an option to patients whose hearts are too blocked for bypass surgery alone.

"It's a way of re-establishing blood flow where something [such as bypass surgery, angioplasty and stints] couldn't be done," Amsler said.

Gracey's surgery was among the first to use a cold laser instead of a high-heat laser, which caused too much tissue damage, said Lola Gracey.

Gracey had his first heart attack in 1969 at age 41. He had quad-bypass surgery at the UWMC in 1986, but by 1997 his veins were blocked again.

Lola Gracey said the blockages would cause about four angina attacks a day. The Graceys' son, Gary, said these pains kept Ron from living his life.

Before they met Amsler, another doctor told them any surgery was impossible and that nothing could be done, said Lola Gracey.

"He didn't give us any hope," she said.

UWMC's chief of cardiothoracic surgery Edward Verrier recommended that Amsler encourage Gracey to try the experimental surgery.

"We didn't even think about doing anything like that," said Lola Gracey.

They were only given one day to decide.

After meeting 30 qualifications and a series of tests, Verrier performed the surgery on Gracey.

"He had a repeat bypass to one area and then he had laser surgery to another area," said Amsler.

They performed a profusion nuclear study, which showed increased blood flow to his heart. The surgery was counted a success because Gracey's angina went away, said Amsler.

Angina relief has proven to be one of the major benefits of TMR.

Gary Gracey said before the surgery his father had problems even walking, but after he recovered from the surgery he was able to take several trips to Europe, the Caribbean and the Virgin Islands.

Even at 70 years old, Gracey resumed his carpentry and electrical work and remodeled his home in West Seattle.

"My dad lived to age 79 and fought heart disease for half of his life," said Gary Gracey.

Amsler said it was the technology and medicine that kept Gracey alive for the 40 years that he struggled with serious heart problems.

"We're clearly doing more with technology and we clearly added value to the life he was living," Amsler said.

Contributing writer Celeste Flint: news@thedaily.washington.edu