Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 11, 1993 TAG: 9305110032
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BOSTON LENGTH: Medium
Doctors now say Lewis has a neural condition in which the nerves become confused in trying to signal the heart to speed up or slow down. The condition can be treated with medication.
Dr. Gilbert Mudge, director of clinical cardiology at Brigham and Women's Hospital, said Lewis has a "normal athlete's heart with normal function."
"I am optimistic that under medical supervision, Mr. Reggie Lewis will be able to return to professional basketball without limitation," Mudge said.
Lewis, 27, had undergone tests since he collapsed during a playoff game April 29. He initially was taken to New England Baptist Hospital, where the Celtics assembled a team of heart specialists.
They diagnosed Lewis with cardiomyopathy - a potentially life-threatening disease of the heart muscle that causes the heart to beat less vigorously.
Faced with the prospect of his career ending, Lewis switched to Brigham and Women's Hospital. Lewis said Monday he made the move "just to get a second opinion."
Mudge said his medical team conducted more tests and viewed the data collected at New England Baptist. Some tests indicated there might be heart abnormalities, while other tests showed no problems.
After more analysis, Mudge said doctors concluded Lewis has neurocardiogenic syncope.
Mudge called it a "poorly understood" neural reflex in which the heart rate falls instead of increases during peak exercise.
"The nerves are perfectly normal. The heart is perfectly normal," said Dr. Mark Creager, one of the doctors who tested Lewis. "The nerves just get confused."
Doctors said the condition can be treated with medication, and it is not life threatening.
Lewis, who appeared with his wife and the doctors, seemed relaxed and relieved.
"I'm just glad it's finally come to an end," he said.
Lewis was discharged from the hospital and said he planned to play next season.
Boston Celtics vice president Dave Gavitt also was elated.
"This is the best news I've had in a long time," he said.
Dr. Arnold Scheller, the team doctor, had indicated last week that Lewis' career might be over. He said Lewis had "dodged a bullet" in the playoff game.
Mudge said he presented his findings to three prominent cardiologists who weren't previously involved in Lewis' care, and they agreed with the diagnosis.
by CNB