Healing the “ductus arteriosus”…12 years ago

In 2005, heart specialists at Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse announced a new procedure to close the ductus arteriosus.  That’s connecting heart tissue which is supposed to close shortly after birth, but the tissue does not close in one out of every 2000 babies.  People with that problem might need a heart transplant later in life.  Gundersen doctors found a way to plug up the duct with a metallic cork-like occluder to block the opening.  The first patient to get the treatment was a young mother of four from Monroe County.

The La Crosse Park Department was getting ready for Riverfest.  The park board learned that a lumberjack show would be back at the 4th of July.  Some of the bands performing at Riverfest would include Trouble Shooter, Jackal, and the Top 40 band Sister Hazel. 

North Carolina won its 4th NCAA men’s basketball title that April, with Coach Roy Williams getting his first national title with the Tar Heels.  Illinois was runner-up.  North Carolina advanced to the Final Four with a regional final win over Wisconsin…12 years ago, 2005, Yesterday in La Crosse.