Senator's Chances Are Mixed For Recovery From Rare Disorder

Wall Street Journal ^ | 15 December 2006 | SARAH LUECK

[shrinkermd]

The blood-vessel abnormality that put South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson in the hospital is relatively rare...

...Arteriovenous malformations, or AVMs, are tangles of blood vessels that disrupt the flow of blood and are believed in most cases to be present from birth. An estimated 300,000 Americans have AVMs of the brain or spinal cord, but only about 36,000 show symptoms...

...One of the biggest dangers of AVMs is bleeding in the brain, as Mr. Johnson had. An estimated 5% to 10% of people with AVM ruptures die, said M. Sean Grady... (About half of aneurysm victims die)

Judging by the speech difficulty Mr. Johnson experienced before he was stricken, the malformation probably was on the left side of his brain, which controls speech... added.

...Removal of the AVM, through surgery or other means, may be considered, but this is a matter of some debate in the medical community...

[shrinkermd]

It is too bad WSJ won't permit a complete copy of this well written article. It is both consistent with medical knowledge and the problems thereof and also with state-of-the-art eposition of a complex subject.

[Bahbah]

WSJ won't permit a complete copy of this well written article

Rats! This is an interesting subject about which I have to date known nothing.

[dforest]

This may be fact. The Democrats are only interested in keeping him alive to vote. Sad fact, but true.

[USNBandit]

I have been impressed by the sentiments expressed on FR regarding the Senator. While the media and Dems seem focused on the political ramifications, here people are hoping and praying for his recovery.

We should pray for this man's recovery. The rest will work itself out.

[cripplecreek]

My step mother's brother had an aneurysm and dropped dead as he walked out of a grocery store a few years ago. I also lost a friend some years ago who died in his sleep due to an aneurysm.

It's pretty unlikely they had the same disorder as Johnson but there are lots of things that can result in brain aneurysms. In reality, Johnson has been pretty lucky so far.

[freekitty]

I agree. I pray for his recovery. Usually if they repair the AVM, he has a good chance of surviving with complete faculties

[umgud]

I would rather get the majority back by seeing Hillary do the perp walk than to see this man fall out due to health problems.

[freekitty]

I don't think an AVM is the same as an aneurysm.

[cripplecreek]

Close enough for me.

[socal_parrot]

The Democrats are only interested in keeping him alive

"We have the technology to rebuild him."

[dforest]

This is what they will have to do. Like the Six Million Dollar Man, except more these days.

[Doe Eyes]

The Democrats are only interested in keeping him alive to vote. Sad fact, but true.

Is it true that Ted Kennedy is in charge of his medical treatment? I heard that at work.

[Dasaji]

These things run in my family. (Due to having the rare congenital disease HHT which is passed on 50% of the time). My mom had one that was about 5 cm wide in her lung - caused a brain abscess and now she is partially blind, disabled and has lost a lot of her cognitive abilities. My mom also had a stroke when she was 19, and now we know why.

AVMs are NOT a good thing to have.

[Jeff Chandler]

I hope he recovers, for his sake and for his family. If he doesn't, the Democrats will keep him on a respirator for decades if they have to.

[dforest]

I have no clue. But..I wouldn't be surprised. Shame Teddy didn't put all this zeal into saving Mary Jo. Well, you know, she didn't have a vote.

[taillightchaser]

You beat me to it----

[ardara]

My son had an AVM of the brain in 1979. He survived after a 10 hour operation.It took a good while to get most of his faculties back but he is still not 100%.We thank God for my son's recovery and we pray for the recovery of Senator Johnson.

[shrinkermd]

A brain aneurysm is different. It is a weakness in an arterial wall with or without a "bubble." When it gives way it is a catastrophe. As the article indicates with much more serious consequences than AVM. Usually, half the people with an aneurysm die immediately while only 10% or so with an AVM.

[shrinkermd]

"...eposition of a complex subject."

Should be "exposition of a complex subject."

[paltz]

This may be fact. The Democrats are only interested in keeping him alive to vote. Sad fact, but true.

Well, that's plan A. Plan B which is REALLY being worked on right now, is how the democrats will fight Gov.Rounds in S.D. court system and say that he is obligated to appoint a Democrat according to their constitution. They'll find it...with all of their lawyers and appeals...they'll find it... and fight for it in the courts until they wear us down. You can bet on that.