Case Histories, heart Failure and Diabetes

BC was first seen in our medical center January 3 2000: he came specifically to pursue Chelation Therapy. His primary diagnoses at the initial visit were Coronary Artery Disease, Insulin Dependent Diabetes, HTN, Hyperlipidemia, and Peripheral Neuropathy.

He was diagnosed with diabetes in 1995 and in good health other than his diabetes. In May of 1998 he had a comprehensive evaluation including echocardiogram and stress test and was told all was well. In February 1999 he began to notice some chest "pressure" that occurred occasionally associated with exercise but also with anxiety and excitement. His primary care physician at that time told him that because of the previous negative stress test Coronary Artery Disease was unlikely. Several weeks after that encounter he apparently saw an ophthalmologist who recommended that he should have a repeat stress test. This was performed and revealed significant ST segment depressions, that was consistent with the normal ejection fraction with mild Inferobasal Hypo kinesis with mild mistral regurgitation. His history includes a brother who died with myocardial infarction at age 47.

Catheterization was performed May 1, 1999 and was consistent with estimated 10 percent left main occlusion, 40 percent proximal LAD, 50 to 60 percent obtuse marginal stenosis and 70 percent mid right coronary artery stenosis. A thallium stress test was also performed this was strongly positive. It was consistent with inferior ischemia at low work loads. He did not reach 85 percent predicted maximum heart rate. He was discharged to home and was told he should have medical therapy for his coronary artery disease. He was readmitted to the hospital in August 1999 for an infection at the site of a trauma and also a second opinion regarding medical therapy versus PCTA. Recommendation at this time was angioplasty for relief of symptoms to be scheduled after his shoulders were stabilized which were injured at the previous automobile accident.

He had an additional catheterization in October of 199 and was told that the previous recommendation for angioplasty was not now recommended because the number of blockages he had and bypasses surgery was recommended. The second catheterization revealed a 20 percent proximal stenosis of the left main coronary artery, 50 percent proximal stenosis of the left anterior descending the circumflex and an 80 percent lesion in the mid portion of the right coronary. The patient opted not to accept the recommendation for t he bypass surgery. He told me that the surgeon implied that if he did not have bypass surgery he would be dead in a relatively short period of time.

His comprehensive program was begun with his first Chelation treatment part of his program on January 20, 2000. On February 10, 2000 a reevaluation of his current status revealed that he was walking 4 miles daily without any problems.

He noted that his blood sugars were averaging lower, prior to starting his Chelation program they were in the 160-200 range fasting, and they are now ranging from 90-120. His urine sugars were also negative for the first time since we had been seeing him. He also had been able to decrease his insulin from 7-8 units that he was using at night only 2 units. By mid April 2000 he reported to me that on his own he gradually decreased and then discontinued 2 of his drugs Altace and Amaryl. He also continued to decrease his insulin and over the last six week period he just takes it on an occasional basis because of improvement in his blood sugars. His BP is averaging 120-80 range at home.

He reported in early May that his insulin use is 4 units but only on a as needed basis if his blood sugar is above 150 and its been averaging in the teens to one 120's. He also noted, interestingly, that he likes Martinis. These will raise his blood sugar from the teens to perhaps the twenties and it stays there for 2 or 3 days.

He also mentioned some chest pain he had periodically. He had never been given any prescription for nitroglycerin so I provided that for him. He took it for his chest and had no relief. I thought that it was structural and so we treated him structurally with Osteopathic manipulation, and he had improvement in those symptoms. By mid June 2000 he reported that he had not needed to use humulin or the nitro for a long time.

By early October he reported that his blood sugar was averaging 113-120 range. October 17, 2000 was his last visit with us as he was moving to Florida. At this point he was much improved as far as his coronary artery disease and his type 2 diabetes were concerned. He experiences significant improvement in life quality.

We saw him in October 2004 when he was visiting in the area from his new home in Florida. He stated he continued his Chelation program in Florida. He also received a Chelation treatment while in the area. He mentioned at the present time he occasionally gets vertigo. He reported that he had an ultrasound of his carotid in Florida and he was told there was some slight evidence of plaque but it was not significant. His blood sugars average in the 125-130 range at night at home and averages in the 80's in the morning. He continues to be active physically working 8-10 hours a day as of October he was 70 years of age.

J.E. is a 64-year-old Caucasian female who suffered a myocardial infarction in August of 1998. Post MI she had angioplasty to the left anterior descending artery (LAD). A repeat catheterization in May of 1999 was due to the patient's admission to the hospital with "chest pain syndrome" and this revealed an 85% occluded LAD. This was preceded by an abnormal Thallium stress test. Additionally the right coronary artery had an 80% stenosis proximally and 70% stenosis distally. Her renal arteries were also evaluated adjunctively and were reported as normal. Aggressive medical therapy was recommended to be continued and coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) was a most likely consideration. The patient opted not to have CABG.

She did have a stress test in October of 1999. She had a small reversal defect in the inferior lateral wall. A previous arterial/anterior apical defect that was seen in 1998 was no longer present. She had an ejection fraction of 69%. Her Bruce Protocol response was 56% of maximum predicted heart rate and she complained of increased chest tightness with radiation to the neck at about seven minutes. Her ejection fraction in August of 1998 was 79%.

Around this time the patient learned of chelation therapy, attended an educational program at the Maulfair Medical Center, and after appropriate diagnostic procedures and discussions, decided to start her specifically prescribed program on August 7, 2000. Her program progressed satisfactorily.

In May of 2003, a medication reaction, which mimicked chest pain syndrome, resulted in hospitalization. Having a previous history of coronary artery disease and angioplasty, she was offered cardiac catheterization and agreed. The findings included, "The area of the previously angiplastied section appears to be widely patent." This is compared to an 85% occlusion identified in a 1999 catheterization. "The distal right coronary artery is a large dominant vessel without any atherosclerosis", and this compared to the distal coronary artery with 70% stenosis in the 1999 catheterization report.

The patient was seen by cardiology again in September of 2004 preparatory to back surgery that she was anticipating. The summary of this evaluation was, "She presented today for cardiac catheterization with slight improvement in her coronary arteries compared to her catheterization of 2003." "She is cleared for her back surgery……"

C.F. was first seen at the Maulfair Medical Center in January 1998. He was referred by an ophthalmologist to pursue chelation therapy for coronary artery disease. He had angioplasty in 1986. He began to experience symptoms in 1997, had additional angioplasty in April of 1997 and in December of 1997. He also had bypass surgery, had a second catheterization, and was told that two of his three bypasses were occluded. He mentioned that at the time he spoke to his cardiologist about pursuing chelation therapy and he stated that he was very supportive and told him to "go for it".

An interesting side piece of information concerning C.F. is that he does not drink alcohol, he does not smoke, his cholesterol levels have always been good, he eats well, and he exercises regularly.

C.F. was seen on several occasions by cardiology in January of 1998. The catheterization in early December of 1997 revealed 100% occlusion of the right coronary artery and the vein graft to the right coronary artery was also occluded. There were collaterals to the right coronary artery from the circumflex system. The left anterior descending was narrowed 90% near the origin. Additional stenotic disease was present ranging from 60% in one artery to 80% in another. His ejection fraction at this time was 65-70%. A comment was made by the cardiologist that the patient was depressed in regards to the fact that his bypass surgery after eight months was not effective. The summary of his December 1997 catheterization was 100% occlusion of the right coronary artery, 100% occlusion of the saphenous vein graft to the right coronary artery, 100% occlusion of the left anterior descending and the diagonal from the left anterior descending being stenosed 90%, and the collaterals to the right coronary artery from the left circumflex. In January of 1998, this patient had a Thallium stress test which revealed an ejection fraction of 53%.

The patient was first seen at the Maulfair Medical Center January 20, 1998 and after appropriate diagnostic procedures and education, the patient started a comprehensive chelation therapy program in February of 1998.

A Thallium stress test in January of 1999 revealed an ejection fraction of 60% with decreased uptake in the inferior lateral portion of the left ventricle with diminished systolic contractility in this area. He underwent a SPECT cardiac stress evaluation in January of 2000. This revealed an ejection fraction of 66%. There were no fixed or reversible defects and normal ventricular contractility. A Thallium stress test in January 2002 revealed an ejection fraction of 72% with normal wall motion. A cardiology consult regarding the patient in December of 2003 stated "C.F. has continued to do well from a cardiac standpoint. He has had no recurrent cardiovascular problems or symptoms as of late." A stress test performed in January of 2003 was normal. His LV was within normal limits. A stress test in January of 2004 revealed "no obvious ischemia or infarct identified. Post stress ejection fraction was 69%. The EKG was negative for ischemia." On February 16, 2005 a stress test revealed a post stress ejection fraction of 69%. Results indicated "negative stress test for ischemia up to 7.0 MET's and 91% of maximum predicted heart rate."

In present time, the patient continues to do very well. He continues on the maintenance phase of his chelation therapy program. He is 69 years of age and continues to enjoy life and is quite active physically.

W.K. was a 70-year-old Caucasian male when he was first seen at the Maulfair Medical Center in August of 1993. He had known coronary artery disease and had CABG in October of 1992. He is the son of a physician.

He learned about chelation therapy and the Maulfair Medical Center and came to us to learn more, and to potentially pursue chelation therapy. He started his specific comprehensive chelation therapy program at the end of the following month. W.K. has been on his chelation therapy program ever since. He is currently 81 years of age. He looks significantly younger than his stated age. He sees a cardiologist on an approximate yearly basis. The last visit was three months ago and he was told that he was doing fine. He had a stress test and did well with it. He also had an echocardiogram approximately six months prior to this visit and that was also good.

His regime includes regular exercise at a hospital in a cardiac rehab program, and he does this regularly five days a week. We explain to all of our patients that regular exercise is an essential part of the comprehensive chelation therapy program protocol.

It would be appropriate to note at this point that after 25 years of experience prescribing appropriate comprehensive chelation therapy programs, I can say without doubt or reservation that those patients like W.K. and others that we have been treating benefit when they are active participants in the overall program. A lot of time is spent by our staff encouraging patients to be active participants and share in the benefits that others experience.

J.W. was an 81-year-old Caucasian male with a primary diagnosis of coronary artery disease. He had CABG in 1991. He had some reoccurrence of symptoms and had a repeat catheterization in 1994 and was told that he was stable and no additional therapies were indicated or prescribed at that time. He developed some additional angina while cutting grass earlier in the year prior to his first visit at our center. He had been learning about chelation therapy and came to pursue it. At his initial visit he also complained of pain in his legs and calves while walking, although it could also occur when he exercised on the treadmill. He also stated that while he did not get angina with the treadmill, he did get it on occasion with walking. After appropriate diagnostic procedures, a comprehensive chelation therapy program was prescribed and he began treatments at the end of October 1997.

By early December 1997 he reported that his angina was improved and he could now go steps without difficulty. His blood pressure at a visit in early January of 1997 was 110/60. His initial blood pressure at his first visit was 142/90. By mid January of 1998 he reported that he had noted significant increase in energy, a further decrease in angina, and was able to do work outside which he was not able to do before secondary to the angina. Later in January of 1998, he reported that he was very happy with his program and actually at age 81 he went to a gym the day before and stated that he has been restored as far as his ability to do exercise was concerned. He was on the treadmill for 30 minutes which he had not been able to do for sometime. He also reported that he was able to do this without any angina or dyspnea. He also mentioned that at a recent family doctor's visit, his fasting blood sugar was down to 124 and the last time he had it evaluated it was 149. His primary diagnoses are coronary artery disease and Type II Diabetes.

In April 1998 he commented to me that he recently mowed his lawn which for him was a definite improvement. He was unable to do that the previous fall without getting angina. He also stated that he continued his exercise program at the YMCA. By early May of 1998 he had seen his family doctor and had his annual physical including EKG and various labs and his doctor told him that he was doing very well and he was well pleased with him.

At time went on, he had some increases in angina and then decreases. By the end of 1998, he was exercising three times a week at the YMCA without angina, spending about an hour and a half total time exercising with a combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercises.

In early March of 1999, a visit with J.K. revealed that he had seen a dentist recently and was told that he had no cavities. The visit prior to that he had 12 and the dentist apparently was impressed at this dramatic change in his dental status. The patient continued his chelation therapy program and late in the year of 2000, some claudication that he had developed had improved significantly, his angina was improved significantly, and he reported that his family doctor was very happy with his blood sugars which were averaging fasting in the 125 range.

Beginning in 2001, he continued to have some intermittent angina but it was improved as far as the frequency was concerned. J.K. is now 84 years of age. In mid 2001, he commented to me that he had developed a bit of a test for himself to determine how he was doing with his coronary artery disease with a grocery cart. He stated that prior to some changes that we made in his program in early 2001, he was unable to push a grocery cart from one end of the store to the other even when it was empty and now he could do it with it full. He also mowed his own lawn without any symptoms and it takes an hour or two to do that. He also mentioned that the year prior it would have taken all day because of frequent stops that he had to make secondary to the angina.
A cardiology evaluation in mid 2001 found J.K. to not be experiencing shortness of breath and his angina pattern is stable. He also had a sinus bradycardia, compensated.

As of July 2005, the patient continued on a chelation program getting the chelation treatment part of his comprehensive chelation program on an every ten day basis. His blood sugar was stable, fasting averaging around 100. He is requiring some Nitroglycerin at the present time for angina and takes some daily. He continues to be fairly active physically considering he has attained the age of 88.

R.T. was first seen in September of 2004 with the presenting diagnosis of coronary artery disease. The patient had a stress test a month prior to his visit which was suggestive of coronary artery disease. He had a catheterization several days prior to his initial visit with us and it was positive. He was medicated with a betablocker and ASA anticoagulation. Reevaluation several months later was recommended.

His anginal type symptoms persisted and actually worsened and the potential for bypass surgery was moved up. He was opposed to surgical intervention and learned of us and presented himself for consultation. He had not been prescribed anything other than the betablocker and anticoagulation so I prescribed Nitroglycerin that he could have on hand to use on an as-needed basis. His symptomatology included shortness of breath and significant fatigue. He is a 62-year-old Caucasian male and simply could not do what he had been accustomed to doing. Additionally the cardiologist pulled his commercial driver's license so he was out of a job.

After appropriate diagnostic procedures, he began a comprehensive therapeutic program which later included a program of External Counter Pulsation which the patient requested. I also recommended a second cardiology opinion as the first included a comment that he would not be driving commercially anymore. The second cardiology consultation included a comment that, if he passed a stress test, he could regain his commercial driver's license.

During this time, the patient was actively participating in his entire program including aggressive exercise. He rode a bike up to 20 miles. He then reached a point where he was able to do his bike riding and other physical activities without any fear of developing any angina or shortness of breath. He was riding a bike outside up to 100 minutes. This was during the winter months. He was also doing cross-country skiing. He had a second stress test in February of 2005. This Cardiolite stress test revealed that he exercised for 12.5 MET's work capacity, had an ejection fraction of 55% and the EKG portion was negative. The cardiologist at that point stated, "From a cardiovascular standpoint at this point I have released him to go back to work." The cardiologist at the time apparently mentioned to the patient that he had never seen that occur before; a positive stress test revert to a negative one.

The patient also had to be evaluated via the Pennsylvania State Department of Transportation to get clearance and that physician also commented that he had never seen this before and cleared Richard for driving. As of this writing, he has been driving for five months. He continues to be asymptomatic. He continues on his program and is "a happy camper".

E.K. had his initial office visit November 25, 1985. He was a 53-year-old male, weighed 210 pounds and his blood pressure was 140/84. He had suffered a massive coronary occlusion in June of 1980. He was told he was inoperable. He had angina, fatigue, and shortness of breath on exertion. His primary interest was pursuing a chelation therapy program. After appropriate diagnostic procedures, his comprehensive chelation therapy program was prescribed and his first chelation treatment was received January 14, 1986. During the ensuing 20 years, he has continued on his program. He has developed Type II diabetes and in present time, continues to do well. As of this writing, it is 26 years post his initial myocardial infarction.

He continues to be overweight and certainly an improvement in lifestyle modifications would be helpful. From a cardiovascular standpoint, he continues to do very well considering it is 26 years post MI. He is currently 72 years of age.

A summary of his life quality status that the patient provided in April of 1993 indicated, "1980-blocked arteries, inoperable. Angina, fatigue, shortness of breath upon any exertion. 1983-not doing anything around the house. March of 1985-rototilling the garden.

S.P. was first seen in July of 2003. He came specifically to pursue chelation therapy. He stated that he had known about chelation therapy for sometime. He presented with multiple chronic degenerative disease entities including insulin dependent diabetes with the diabetes being present for 25 years. He was 59 years of age on his initial visit. He was diagnosed with coronary artery disease approximately a year prior to his initial visit. He was also diagnosed around the same time with carotid artery disease. In addition, he had significant diabetic retinopathy and had multiple laser ablations in the past. He also had peripheral neuropathy of both feet and hands. After appropriate diagnostics, he was prescribed a comprehensive chelation therapy program and started that program in early September of 2003. The program progressed satisfactorily. By the end of September he noted that his blood sugars had improved fairly significantly. He monitored them on a regular basis and stated that they were averaging in the 140 range. This compared to 100-350 range fasting. He also noted improvement in energy. He also noted that he had had dry skin on the right foot for a long time that he had to apply cream to daily, and that had improved to the point where the cream application has been unnecessary.

He also noted at this stage that he was able to decrease his blood pressure betablocker that he had been taking regularly on a twice a day basis. He was able to decrease it to once in the morning and perhaps one later in the day which he was experimenting with. In addition, he was able to maintain his blood sugars with less insulin. In the past he was taking up to 30 units of short-acting Humulin a day and currently it was down to 5 when he did need it. He also had lost seven pounds. At the end of October he reported that his blood sugars were much easier to control, and the bleeding that he had in his eyes secondary to his diabetic retinopathy had decreased, they are less frequent, and that his vision clears faster after he has a bleed. He said that ophthalmology evaluated him fairly recently and was happy with the changes. In January of 2004, he had a follow up evaluation of his carotid artery disease and was told that a blockage, which previously was estimated to be 50-79%, was now 30%. This data the patient received from the technician who performed the carotid ultrasound evaluation. He also mentioned that his eyes were better. The left was stable. He had not had any problem with it for over a year. The right he still had some occasional bleeding in it but it was significantly less than in the past. In March of 2004 the patient mentioned that he had seen the vascular surgeon who apparently confirmed that the study done recently represented a 20-25% stenotic lesion compared to a previous 79%. He also mentioned at this visit in March of 2004 that he had not had any bleeding at all in his right eye for over a month and that was a first time for many, many months and as a result of that, he was able to be scheduled for and had cataract removal from that eye. This procedure was not possible previously because of the persistent bleeds.

At the end of April of 2004, we discussed his blood pressure that was quite improved. At that visit it was 102/60. At his first visit in July of 2003, it was 170/90. He also continued to notice less need for insulin to control his blood sugar. He was exercising on a regular basis walking around the neighborhood and his wife estimated that it was probably about two miles. Prior to starting his program, he was able to walk only half a block and then had to stop because of shortness of breath and fatigue.

In July of 2004 he commented that he had not had any bleeding in his left eye for a year and only gets occasional bleeding in the right eye.

S.P. is a rather dramatic story. The degree of improvement that is available to patients who have chronic degenerative debilitating diseases is quite variable and dependent upon many factors including the quality of the program prescribed and the quality of the patient's compliance with it. These are the two most important factors that impact the eventual outcome.