Editor's Note RE: Chelation Therapy An Alternative to Bypass Surgery
(A Patient’s Report by Dean Baxter, Director of Public Affairs • Arco Corporation • Houston, Texas)

Coronary artery bypass surgery is a definitive and final approach to increase oxygen supply to the heart. Most cardiologists agree that when all pharmaceutical modalities fail to increase oxygenation and reduce workload of the heart, a surgical bypass is indicated. Statistics reveal 75-90% of patients who are appropriate operative candidates and survive surgery have reduction or disappearance of angina symptoms. Whether or not bypass surgery prolongs life is controversial.
Relative mortality risk for bypass surgery is 4% for “good” surgical candidates. Nearly 20% of operated patients develop a heart attack during the recovering period.

The above statistics are under dispute. Some observers state mortality rates for bypass surgery are 7.2-11.8%. A study at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City indicates mortality rates at 4.5% for centers performing 200 or more surgeries yearly, 9% for those centers performing 100 to 200 cases, and 12% in centers performing less than 100 bypass surgeries. The risk of heart attack following bypass surgery is between 5% and 40%. Reports demonstrate that 15-30% of vein grafts (used in the bypass) become obstructed in one year.

There are research reports showing little or no beneficial improvement of heart muscle functioning after bypass surgery.

Financially, bypass coronary surgery is good business. In 1976, 80,000 patients underwent bypass surgery at an average cost of $32,000 for the surgery alone. This totals $3 billion yearly. If this trend continues, there can be nearly one-quarter million patients having the surgery in the upcoming years at an expense of $100 billion. Thus surgery provides a busy cardiac surgeon the opportunity to earn one to two million dollars each year.

With these medical and financial considerations in mind, we need alternative approaches for severe coronary artery disease. One process, known as EDTA chelation therapy, is an alternative to bypass surgery. The following report by Dean Baxter, a retired oil executive of Arco, provides some insights into this chelation process.

Jonathan Collin, M.D.
Editor

Reprinted from the Port Townsend Health Letter—Summer 1991

Jonathan Collin, MD

FAMILY PRACTICE • NUTRITIONAL MEDICINE • CHELATION DIPLOMATE
• EDTA Chelation for Circulatory Problems & Toxic Metal Poisoning • Thyroid Diagnosis • Homeopathy Prescription •PMS • Fatigue/Anxiety, Depression Work-Up • Nutritional Analysis and Counseling • Stress Evaluation & Health Risk Report •
• Vitamin Supplementation Program • Elimination Diet and Allergy Testing • Weight Management • Physical Check-Up & Laboratory Exam • Vitamin Injection •

Dr. Collin maintains two offices in Western Washington.

911 Tyler Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
360.385.6021
360.385.0699 (fax)

Monday: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. to noon

12911 120th Avenue NE, Suite A-50
P.O. Box 8099
Kirkland, WA 98034
425.820.0547

Wednesday: 3:30 to 7 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to noon

info@townsendletter.com

Search our pre-2001 archives for further information. Older issues of the printed magazine are also indexed for your convenience.
1983-2001 indices ; 1999-Jan. 2003 indices
Once you find the magazines you'd like to order, please use our convenient form, e-mail subscriptions@townsendletter.com, or call 360.385.6021 (PST).