DeRo to have surgery Thursday

by DeRoMyHero on Feb 27, 2008 4:33 PM CST

The Tribune is reporting that DeRo will undergo a surgical procedure tomorrow that will hopefully cure his irregular heartbeat problems.

Cubs physician Stephen Adams said DeRosa will have an EPS (electrophysiology study) performed on him Thursday by Dr. Alan Kadish, a cardiovascular electrophysiologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The procedure involves putting a catheter in a vein in the groin which is then threaded into the heart to induce an irregular heartbeat (atrial arrthythmia).

"Depending on what they find with this diagnostic study, they will undergo what's known as a radiofrequency catheter ablation, or RFCA," Adams said. "And hopefully, depending upon what they find, it will be curative of his past problems of jumping into the (irregular heartbeat)."

The low-voltage, high-frequency electricity causes an abnormal heart rhythm and permanently burns off small areas of tissue, preventing them from generating electrical impulses, and thus curing the individual. Adams said the procedure should take 1-2 hours, and that if all goes well, DeRosa will return to Phoenix by Sunday and could continue his baseball activities by the beginning of next week.

"By the end of (next) week, hopefully he'll be going full throttle again," Adams said.

I just hope that Lou doesn't try to push him back into the lineup too soon.

DeRo, best wishes for a very speedy recovery!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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The heart

makes things a little more tricky. But where I work they do a couple a day. Part of my responsiblity is running the stats and their success rate is great.

Wish him well, but he should be back in a week and feel ready to play in 2 days.

He will be happy in LaLa land with 2 of morphine before and during the procedue.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Feb 27, 2008 4:34 PM CST reply actions

This is...

... exactly what they were talking about doing when this was first revealed a couple of days ago. From what I've read, it has a very high success rate and given that DeRo is a professional athlete, it shouldn't take too long for him to get back on the field.

Best wishes to him for a speedy recovery, and that at last this problem will be solved for him.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2008 4:35 PM CST reply actions

This is a very common procedure

And it's not too invasive. Frequently it's done on an outpatient basis.

If Durocher were still manager, he'd tell Mark to suit up the next day.

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 27, 2008 4:39 PM CST reply actions

LOL

You really do yearn for those Durocher days, don't you?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2008 4:56 PM CST up reply actions

Indeed

And Durocher was fired when I was one! The first Cub manager I remember well is Herman Franks.

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 27, 2008 9:03 PM CST up reply actions

sorry in advance...

but ive always been a huge fan of acquiring brian roberts and i think its time to give up a little bit more to get him. derosa might be ok but he doesnt need to feel he has a obligation to perform and as it stands he will have alot of pressure on him IMO. theres a time when baseball isnt that important and this is one of those times. the heart isnt anything to take a chance on.

GO CUBS GO!!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Feb 27, 2008 6:04 PM CST reply actions

If Roberts isn't worth

what the O's want now, he's not going to be worth more simply because DeRosa has to have a pretty minor medical procedure.

Worst to First in 2007, brought to you by Lou, Sori, A-Ram and D-Lee.

by drewishdrewid on Feb 27, 2008 9:32 PM CST up reply actions

Nonsense

First of all, from what it says above, his doctors are saying he should be at "full throttle" in a few days, ie, ready for full time baseball.

Second, you claim that because of his heart condition you don't think baseball should take first place, but then you say we should take this opportunity to make a trade with the specific purpose of burying him in the roster? That makes no sense. If you want to defend the Roberts phantom trade on its merits, go ahead, but don't drag this non-issue into it.

by TC Cubby on Feb 28, 2008 7:21 AM CST up reply actions

first of all

dont ever attack me and second dont put words in my mouth. now you say burying him on the roster. derosa is a supersub anyway not a starter. derosa is one of my favorite cubs. even though it might not be that serious i still would take every precaution i can with him. also the team never sugarcoats health issues with players either so i guess this time wouldnt be any different?

GO CUBS GO!!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Feb 28, 2008 8:34 AM CST up reply actions

Sorry

if you truly believe my comments to be an "attack." Obviously you see the medical side of this as being much more serious than the quotes above or the other posters in this thread.

by TC Cubby on Feb 28, 2008 9:06 AM CST up reply actions

I'm with TC Cubby here...

... there was no personal attack that I can see. The consensus, both here and in what I've read, is that this procedure is both minor and has a quick recovery time, likely to be faster in DeRosa's case because he is a healthy, young professional athlete. I don't see any need to rush into any deal for Brian Roberts as a result.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2008 10:06 AM CST up reply actions

I had this

procedure a year ago. I was 57, and was working a couple days later, and drove 400 miles to get home.

Ablations are not much of a big deal, as long as the pericardium doesn't get irritated and inflamed.

"I lof to hit de home ron!"

by Tekboy on Feb 27, 2008 7:32 PM CST reply actions

All the best to Mark and his family.

It's almost silly to be thinking about this from a baseball standpoint, because obviously Mark's welfare is more important. But to find a silver lining in this cloud, I'm glad this happened at the beginning of spring training, as he still will have almost a month to get ready for the season if all goes well. Better this happen now than two weeks from now, and have to risk him missing regular season games.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Feb 27, 2008 7:34 PM CST reply actions