CARDIOLOGIST HONORED ADVANCED TECHNIQUE CLEARS BLOCKED ARTERIES WITH LASER.Byline: Nathaniel Greely Staff Writer Glendale Memorial Hospital will honor one of its own at the Angels of the Heart 2000 fund-raiser and awards gala Saturday. David Tonnemacher will be recognized as one of a handful of cardiologists using the Eximer Laser to clear the severely blocked arteries Arteries Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body. Mentioned in: Adrenergic Blockers, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Antihypertensive Drugs, Hypertension, Thrombolytic Therapy, of cardiac patients. The technique has saved the lives of numerous patients who were formerly considered untreatable Un`treat´a`ble a. 1. Incapable of being treated; not practicable. , hospital officials said. Tonnemacher has practiced at Glendale Memorial for 15 years and has been one of the pioneers of aggressive intervention A procedure used in a lawsuit by which the court allows a third person who was not originally a party to the suit to become a party, by joining with either the plaintiff or the defendant. in heart attacks. One of the most promising techniques, he said, is the use of the Eximer Laser. ``The laser's effect is localized Translated into the spoken language of the country. See localization. in the tip, so that whatever you touch with that tiny tip is vaporized va·por·ize tr. & intr.v. va·por·ized, va·por·iz·ing, va·por·iz·es To convert or be converted into vapor. va ,'' Tonnemacher explained. ``We can use the laser to open arteries that have been blocked, or in patients who have had so many surgeries that most doctors would consider another surgery too risky.'' Tonnemacher says patients often come from other states to have the procedure done. More than 300 guests are expected to attend the Angels of the Heart event, raising $60,000 for the Dr. John Goodwin John Goodwin can refer to more than one person:
To Tonnemacher, a man in the business of saving lives, the award comes as a surprise. ``I never thought of myself as the type of person who would win an award,'' Tonnemacher said. ``You just do what you do and hope the patient gets well, but I'm very honored.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Dr. David Tonnemacher will be honored by Glendale Memorial Hospital at the Angels of the Heart 2000 gala Saturday. Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News |
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