Dr. William J. Rappoport 
Excellence in cardiac testing

 

Arizona Heart Institute

Arizona, USA

 

Cardiomyopathy is defined as any structural or functional disease of heart muscle that is marked especially by hypertrophy (thickening) of cardiac muscle. 

 

Identifying student athletes at risk for sudden death due to cardiomyopathy is Dr. William Rappoport’s passion.

 

Uncovering potential problems

As former cardiologist with the Phoenix Suns and senior cardiologist at the Arizona Heart Institute, Dr. Rappoport understands the importance of a physical examination that includes proper cardiac testing. 

 

Based on these skills, he was asked by Dr. Paul Steingard to head the cardiac testing component for the TOPS program (Team of Physicians for Students).  This program seeks to reduce the possibility of sudden death due to heart failure in high school athletes by giving them a free and comprehensive physical exam.

 

“We look for anything unusual,” says Dr. Rappoport, “including hypertension, heart murmurs, mitral valve prolaspe, problems with heart rhythms, Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome and other cardiovascular issues that may not in and of themselves be enough to bench the kid, but enough to warrant a follow-up. We pick up a lot of things in addition to causes of sudden death.”

 

Simple exam – dramatic results

Dr. Rappoport uses the Philips PageWriter ECG system to perform a simple electrocardiogram (ECG).  This exam can quickly identify abnormal heart rhythms which may indicate a problem. 

 

About 10% of the students who record an abnormal ECG are given an on-site echocardiogram using the Philips iE33 ultrasound system to obtain more diagnostic information.  For seemingly health students like Doug McWhorter, this can be a lifesaving experience.  His pisotentially deadly heart condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), was discovered during a routine TOPS exam. 

 

Although Doug’s case is unusual, Dr. Rappoport believes every exam should include cardiac testing.  “If we save one life, we’ve done our job. The same holds true if every kid passes through with flying colors – knowing you don’t have a problem is just as important as knowing you do have a problem.”

 

“I wasn’t going to let it stop my life.” - Doug McWhorter "Doug had had a physical every year for 17 years," recalls his father Gene, "but this was the first time anyone had done an ECG. It saved his life, his younger brother’s life and my life." + Patient Story

 

Broadening the reach

As the local program expands to include junior college athletes, Dr. Rappoport and Dr. Steingard both hope it can be duplicated around the nation.

 

Dr. Rappoport is convinced it can. “We think the program is cost-effective, medically sound and one that can be easily duplicated elsewhere.”

 

Inquiries from Philadelphia, Tucson, St. Louis and Seattle have already been received.  With the dedication of cardiologists like Dr. Rappoport success is inevitable.

 

- August 2007

 

 

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