Jonas Gustavsson and the Magical Heart Surgery Adventure

by Chemmy on Sep 15, 2009 1:09 PM EDT in News

According to Kevin McGran at the Star:

Jonas Gustavsson, the Maple Leafs' hightly touted rookie goaltender, is out for two days after minor surgery today.

The Leafs said Gustavsson underwent cardiac ablation, which is a non-invasive type of heart surgery.

From MapleLeafs.com's Mike Ulmer:

It sounds worse than it is, but the Monster is having a minor operation to fix an irregular heartbeat. It’s called Ablation, and it’s a non-invasive surgery in which a catheter is used to remove a non-lethal blockage that is interrupting the heart’s normal operation. Ron Wilson said he had the surgery today and walked in and out of the hospital.

He is expected back on the ice in 72 hours.

Courtesy of Down Goes Brown comes this explanation from the Heart Rhythm Society:

Like many cardiac procedures, ablation no longer requires a full frontal chest opening. Rather, ablation is a relatively non-invasive procedure that involves inserting catheters – narrow, flexible wires – into a blood vessel, often through a site in the groin or neck, and winding the wire up into the heart. The journey from entry point to heart muscle is navigated by images created by a fluoroscope, an x-ray-like machine that provides continuous, "live" images of the catheter and tissue.

Once the catheter reaches the heart, electrodes at the tip of the catheter gather data and a variety of electrical measurements are made. The data pinpoints the location of the faulty electrical site. During this "electrical mapping," the cardiac arrhythmia specialist, an electrophysiologist, may sedate the patient and instigate some of the very arrhythmias that are the crux of the problem. The events are safe, given the range of experts and resources close at hand, and are necessary to ensure the precise location of the problematic tissue.

Once the damaged site is confirmed, energy is used to destroy a small amount of tissue, ending the disturbance of electrical flow through the heart and restoring a healthy heart rhythm.

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Comments

Good gravy.

In my abomination rebuttal, I was going to compare the Flyers drafting Clarke with a modern team taking on a player with a heart condition.

I think I’ll choose something else.

Get well, JG.

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Sep 15, 2009 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

it sounds like this could be not as bad as it’s feared. i guess being Leaf fans, we’re conditioned to assume the worst, but what I’ve been reading sounds promising…

"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...

by blurr1974 on Sep 15, 2009 1:16 PM EDT reply actions

I’m in Chicken Little mode to be honest

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by Chemmy on Sep 15, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Have we acquired anyone lately without medical problems?

Blake
Van Ryn
Toskala
Komisarek
Beauchemin
Bozak
Gustavsson
and soon…..

Kessel?

They are signing here for the free Canadian Healthcare, right?

by The Meatriarchy on Sep 15, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

They’re slightly dented so we got them for half off. Does nothing please you people?

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by Chemmy on Sep 15, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

A process which puts someone out for two days is likely not a huge thing.

Something to be monitored, though.

We need to locate a med student within Leafs Nation….

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Sep 15, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ll settle for a candy-striper with a Leafs-oriented uniform.

"We've had an ongoing problem with Grabovski this year." Bob Gainey, 4/04/09

by kidkawartha on Sep 15, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I believe that this surgery was designed to in fact replace his heart with a neutron star.

Can it before I drive this truculence through your faceulence and put you in an ambulance.

by Brunswick Bruiser on Sep 15, 2009 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

Perhaps an Arc Reactor?

Somebody needs to photoshop this on to Gustavsson’s gear

Bitter Leaf Fan: a life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...

by mf37 on Sep 15, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

i mostly didn’t understand the text but i hope he’s ok

Как хотел я

by sleza on Sep 15, 2009 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

Basically they use an electric shock to get his heart to beat more normally. They insert the wire through a cut in his upper thigh / groin and feed it through the artery into his heart.

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by Chemmy on Sep 15, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I was hoping they’d use the Magic School Bus method.

Can it before I drive this truculence through your faceulence and put you in an ambulance.

by Brunswick Bruiser on Sep 15, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Totally forgot about that show. Wow.

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by Chemmy on Sep 15, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve never seen or even heard of that show until this morning when I read a magic school bus book to one of my kids at the dentists this morning.

Bitter Leaf Fan: a life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...

by mf37 on Sep 15, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Serendipity.

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by Chemmy on Sep 15, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Show?

Those books rule, though.

Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 15, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Show

Magic Schoolbus

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Sep 15, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

From here: http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/treatments/cardiac_ablation.asp

Normally, electricity flows throughout the heart in a regular, measured pattern. This normally operating electrical system is the basis for heart muscle contractions.

Sometimes, the electrical flow gets blocked or travels the same pathways repeatedly creating something of a "short circuit" that disturbs normal heart rhythms. Medicine often helps. In some cases, however, the most effective treatment is to destroy the tissue housing the short circuit. This procedure is called cardiac ablation.

Cardiac ablation is just one of a number of terms used to describe the non-surgical procedure. Other common terms are: cardiac catheter ablation, radiofrequency ablation, cardiac ablation, or simply ablation.

Unable to actually speak French since 1980.

by Pamplemousse on Sep 15, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I honestly feel so sick I don’t know if I can have lunch right now.

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by PPP on Sep 15, 2009 1:29 PM EDT reply actions

i’m gonna buy nhl 10 and ignore this whole thing

"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...

by blurr1974 on Sep 15, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

is in my hot little mittens and I am waiting to go home with it. The zapping isn’t a huge deal if it fixes the arrhythmia, but if doesn’t it could progress into a bigger issue. I’ll worry about it in November, you know, when it…………..

Tanking by accident?

by Haeyena on Sep 15, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Its amazing

Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 15, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Then you can check your email and feel better….

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Sep 15, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Official Leaf Version

http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=498628

Bitter Leaf Fan: a life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...

by mf37 on Sep 15, 2009 1:48 PM EDT reply actions

Expected back in 72 hours.

Who’s gonna set up the counter?

Leaf, the universe and everything.

by 1967ers on Sep 15, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

he walked in AND out of the hospital…

"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...

by blurr1974 on Sep 15, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh

Tanking by accident?

by Haeyena on Sep 15, 2009 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

Whoops

Side-note……..Reimer gets the start tomorrow?

Tanking by accident?

by Haeyena on Sep 15, 2009 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

Reimer in goal? Take the over.

Bitter Leaf Fan: a life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...

by mf37 on Sep 15, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

the vesa or Joey Mac might get the nod

Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 15, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m already ok with firing Reimer into the sun.

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by Chemmy on Sep 15, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Now what did I say about shooting people into the sun, Chemmy? Not until you’re older!

by Leafies on Sep 15, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

what happeend to the fantasy hockey?

PPP Fantasy hockey?

Jesus didn’t need a brother to be great. Neither does Luke Schenn.

by kessticle on Sep 15, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

go here

Wings fan by birth. Leafs fan by truculent osmosis.

by SkinnyFish on Sep 15, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Non invasive heart surgery eh?

If they aren’t cutting open his chest, how are they getting a freaking catheter in?

by theothervatican on Sep 15, 2009 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

If they aren’t cutting open his chest, how are they getting a freaking catheter in?

through a small incision in the groin.

Bitter Leaf Fan: a life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...

by mf37 on Sep 15, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s kind of a cool concept, actually. Like fishing, but less water.

"We've had an ongoing problem with Grabovski this year." Bob Gainey, 4/04/09

by kidkawartha on Sep 15, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s truculent fishing, instead of water there’s blood.

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by Chemmy on Sep 15, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

And instead of fish there’s someone’s still beating heart.

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by Chemmy on Sep 15, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

And Wendel’s in the OR with a nice new UglyStik/Quantum combo, laughing his ass off as he teaches the Monster the meaning of toughness.

"We've had an ongoing problem with Grabovski this year." Bob Gainey, 4/04/09

by kidkawartha on Sep 15, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I laughed

that’s a rec’n

Making stuff up since real Leafs news is far too depressing. Also rather truculent for a chick.

by loser domi on Sep 15, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Ow

“Rather, ablation is a relatively non-invasive procedure that involves inserting catheters – narrow, flexible wires – into a blood vessel, often through a site in the groin or neck, and winding the wire up into the heart.”

Sounds like a Magic School Bus episode…

by theothervatican on Sep 15, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah basically. The whole reason for the 72 hours or so he needs to be off the ice is for the incision in his, presumably leg, to fully close so he doesn’t break his stitches.

Wings fan by birth. Leafs fan by truculent osmosis.

by SkinnyFish on Sep 15, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Just be glad he didn’t need a retro pubic prostatectomy – removing the prostate by going in through the navel…

Bitter Leaf Fan: a life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...

by mf37 on Sep 15, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

That sounds kind of erotic, actually.

"We've had an ongoing problem with Grabovski this year." Bob Gainey, 4/04/09

by kidkawartha on Sep 15, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Erotic

I do not think it means what you think it means

Bitter Leaf Fan: a life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...

by mf37 on Sep 15, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

hey baby, wanna feel my prostate?

hmmm.

nope, it sure doesn’t.

"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...

by blurr1974 on Sep 15, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Did I say two fingers? Better make it three.

Wings fan by birth. Leafs fan by truculent osmosis.

by SkinnyFish on Sep 15, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Now look what you started, mf37.

"We've had an ongoing problem with Grabovski this year." Bob Gainey, 4/04/09

by kidkawartha on Sep 15, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I just can’t help linking to Peter Griffin’s prostate exam.

"We've had an ongoing problem with Grabovski this year." Bob Gainey, 4/04/09

by kidkawartha on Sep 15, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Ohhhhh

I’ve heard of this. It’s also called Happy Fun-Time Cardio-coast. It’s actually a lot of fun, they’re doing a ride similar to this at Wonderland.

by Leafies on Sep 15, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

/Hyperventilating

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by article1 on Sep 15, 2009 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

this

I saw the headline and majorly freaked out.

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by Karina on Sep 15, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I went lightheaded and had to lie down.

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into Iraq"
- Major Mike Shearer

by article1 on Sep 15, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Did anyone notice one of the related posts is: “I ♥ the Maple Leafs”

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by Chemmy on Sep 15, 2009 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

you’re welcome

"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...

by blurr1974 on Sep 15, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m a nursing student and actually saw this procedure done on a patient a couple months ago.
It’s the heart, so there is always reason for some concern, however I wouldn’t stress too much on this one folks. Especially if he was released the same day.

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by somny on Sep 15, 2009 4:25 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks!

Good to know.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Sep 15, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

As someone whose father had this exact same procedure done several years ago I can say it is very routine and shouldn’t really affect his performance at all.

You can all breathe a sigh of relief.

by Huey2k2 on Sep 15, 2009 4:42 PM EDT reply actions