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A runner with heart
Medcenter One works with Mayo Clinic
to care for children's hearts
MacKenzie Paul was born with a heart condition that caused her heart to
race when she ran. The condition was treated recently at Mayo Clinic, and MacKenzie is now able to run worry free. Medcenter One's work with
Mayo Clinic's pediatric cardiology team provides families convenient pediatric cardiology care at Medcenter One before and after treatments. |
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MacKenzie Paul describes herself as “better than back
to normal.” For several years, normal meant
experiencing irregular heart rhythms that stopped the cross
country runner in her tracks. Thanks to a procedure called
cardiac catheter ablation, she can run to her heart’s content.
The 17-year-old Bismarck High School senior was
diagnosed several years ago with supraventricular tachycardia
(SVT), a condition that caused episodes of rapid heartbeats.
“My heart beat so fast—sometimes at 300 beats per
minute,” MacKenzie said. “You could see it beating, even
through a baggy shirt.”
Dr. Frank Cetta, a pediatric cardiologist from Mayo Clinic
in Rochester, Minn., who sees patients at Medcenter One,
explained the condition by comparing the heart to a house
with two main systems, plumbing and electrical. Patients with
SVT have proper plumbing, or a structurally normal heart.
The problem is a short circuit within the electrical system
that allows the upper chambers to beat more quickly than
they should.
A normal resting heart rate for a teen is 60 to 110 beats per
minute. Patients with SVT have rapid heartbeats, or
palpitations, escalating to 200 beats or more per minute.
These palpitations prevent the heart from filling properly and
eventually decrease the pumping action, causing the patient
to feel pressure in the chest and become short of breath.
Some people may go weeks or months between episodes.
“When palpitations become more frequent or last longer in
duration and the symptoms interrupt the person’s lifestyle, we
look at treating with medication or cardiac catheter ablation, ”
Dr. Cetta said. “On days there are no symptoms, they can
continue with usual activities. If there is an episode, they need
to stop any activity until it passes.”
MacKenzie continued with cross country and track and field, stopping to rest when palpitations occurred. After each episode, she was |
exhausted. “I paid attention to my heart,” she said. “It was always in the back of my mind.”
“As a parent, it’s scary to see that emotional and physical exhaustion happen so quickly,” said Karen Paul, MacKenzie’s mother.
| After the episodes escalated to four times a day, Dr. Cetta recommended
MacKenzie undergo cardiac catheter ablation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Dr. Co-Burn Porter, a cardiologist with specialized training in the treatment
of heart rhythm disorders, performed the procedure Jan. 20.
In a cardiac catheterization lab, thin, flexible tubes called catheters are
threaded through the patient’s blood vessels to reach the heart. Wires similar
to a GPS system map the electrical activity in the heart and determine the site
of the abnormal pathway. Another catheter is inserted that delivers a high
frequency radio wave to a specific area. The energy destroys the abnormal
heart tissue causing the heart rhythm disorder.
“This is another example of great advancements in the last 10 to 15 years
that really have changed patients’ lives,” Dr. Cetta said.
For MacKenzie, the results were immediate.
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Dr. Frank Cetta
Pediatric cardiology
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minn.
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“After the procedure, the palpitations were completely gone,” she said. “It
was a really cool feeling, and I definitely have more energy now.”
“MacKenzie’s procedure was a complete success,” Dr. Cetta said. “At her
follow-up appointment, she had a normal rhythm and was doing well.”
Patients in this region benefit from the expertise and access to current
technology Mayo Clinic pediatric cardiologists provide through monthly
on-site consultations and rapid review of specific tests. “We’re able to provide
much of the routine follow-up at Medcenter One, which saves patients and
their families the time and cost of traveling to Rochester,” Dr. Cetta said.
“It was comforting to know we would have access to Mayo pediatric
cardiologists at Medcenter One if MacKenzie had needed more significant
follow-up,” Karen said. “Dr. Cetta and Dr. Porter are fantastic doctors, so
committed to the care they provide.”
MacKenzie completed the spring track season and is now training with
the Bismarck High cross country team. She also completed her first triathlon
at the Prairie Rose State Games in July, placing first in her age group.
“What a great feeling that she can give it her all,” Karen said.
“Peace of mind is a beautiful thing to have.”
Click here for more information about Medcenter One’s
innovative pediatric services.
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