If you’re going to get sick, Calgary is the place to do it. Well, we do attract the top researchers and doctors in the world. And yes, wait times still exist, but if you have an acute problem - let’s say you’re rushed to the hospital with chest pain – you’re going to get some of the best care in the world.
Here’s an example why.
Little Kayla was just four weeks old when her daddy, Blair Cashin, woke up with intense chest pain.
“It was kinda scary, 29, relatively good health, no family history – it kind of freaked me out a little bit.”
After an MRI, Cashin was diagnosed with “myocarditis” – inflammation of the heart. But not all hospitals used this method of diagnosis – until now.
Doctor Matthias Friedrich, who came up with the method, is pleased.
“We’re quite proud the protocol as we have been using it here for years is now adopted to be the recommended protocol for this disease.”
The protocol means less invasive testing for the patient, as well as a safer and faster diagnosis -which will come in handy – because myocarditis is quite common.
One in 10 people will likely develop myocarditis in their lifetime and that could make access to an MRI more difficult.
“Access is a problem,” admits Friedrich, “we have a waiting list which does not allow us to have any patient coming within 2 to 3 weeks, however we keep spots open for acute disease.”
And there may be a lot more acute disease in the coming months with the outbreak of swine flu. That’s because myocarditis is usually caused by a viral infection.
“We will see more people coming in with swine flu, we will see in early summer more with viral disease and any viral disease will cause inflammation of the heart, ” says Friedrich.
But typically myocarditis heals within a few weeks. And for those whose symptoms don’t go away, the MRI will provide a detailed diagnosis that will help.
“It’s important only to have a confirmation of diagnosis within very acute cases or in cases where symptoms don’t go away and you need, after a few weeks, you need information on whether there is an ongoing inflammation which may cause other problems like heart failure.”
Cashin still has a bit of inflammation, but it hasn’t impaired the function of his heart. So, life is back to normal, as normal as life can be with a six month old.
For more information on this story – you can go to U of C’s website -
Thank-you for highlighting this story. It dispels myths that issues dealing with the heart only effect older people, an important point as we move towards health promotion and disease prevention in context of cardiovascular diseases (the leading killer of Canadians).
At the same time, it is wonderful to see coverage of impact areas where Calgary is a leader nationally and in cases even internationally. Dr. Friedrich is Director of the Stephenson Cardiovascular MR Centre at the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta. This centre was the first dedicated Cardiovascular MR Centre in the entire country and seems to have developed quite a standing in the area. Congratulations to Dr. Friedrich, the Stephenson CMR Centre team, and the boarder international consensus team that he led for this protocol.
For those who did not know about Calgary’s leadership in CMR and other related areas, search “Libin Cardiovascular Institute” on the web and you might just be pleasantly surprised!
May 5th, 2009 at 11:44 amI would just like to thank you for posting this story. And yes I would definately agree that Calgary is the place to be, if you are sick. The Foothills that is. I was diagnosed with myocarditis last Aug. I would just like to say that I had amazing care and lots of very thorough test done. Including 4 MRI’s. I was amazed at how quickly they got me in for the MRI’s.
I am a 48 yr. old woman who was very active and it has really affected my life. I really haven’t done much of anything for the last 9 months, except a little walking. I have lots of constant pain in my chest, on top of my shoulders and lots in my back. And just always feeling fatigued. I am believing that I will totally recover from this. The sooner the better!
June 5th, 2009 at 9:41 pm