Second Chance to Play

Joey Andrasik was only four years old when he started complaining that his heart was "beeping fast." His parents, Barbara and Ray, noticed that it usually happened when he was sick or dehydrated. They took him to a cardiologist, who diagnosed supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), a rapid heartbeat that is usually benign, but can sometimes lead to deadly heart arrhythmias.

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The doctor recommended a simple solution: turn Joey upside down to convert his heart back to normal rhythm. For almost two years, his parents followed this advice, and Joey led a relatively normal life. But, as Joey grew bigger, Barbara had trouble lifting him, and his SVTs began occurring more frequently.

In November 2001, Barbara and Ray met with John Clark, MD, an electrophysiologist at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Akron, Ohio USA. Dr. Clark recommended a catheter ablation for Joey. If successful, the procedure could completely eliminiate Joey's SVTs.

Barbara, an RN, was quickly convinced, but Ray had some hesitations about agreeing to the minimally invasive surgical procedure. But after contemplating the prospect of a normal life for Joey, they both agreed it was the right thing to do.

On January 9, 2002, Dr. Clark performed Joey's procedure using St. Jude Medical's Livewire™ TC ablation catheter and a Livewire™ diagnostic catheter. Joey left the hospital the following day, returning to his kindergarten class just four days later. He has experienced no SVTs since the procedure and is now considered cured.

Today, Joey is an active and happy boy who loves baseball, football, basketball, rollerblading, bike riding, and jumping on his trampoline. "The EP procedure has given Joey his life back," says Barbara.

Joey still remembers his episodes of SVT. "It was like a hammer pounding a nail into my heart," he says. "But now I can do whatever I want, except not listen to my mom and dad. Thank you St. Jude Medical, for fixing my heart!"