PITTSBURGH -- A brand new procedure could be the answer to all of your heartburn problems, and, it's happening right here in Pittsburgh.

What actually looks like a piece of jewelry is changing lives.

"I had acid reflux I thought was pretty severe, and it limited what food and juices I could drink," said Casey Donahoe, "I really like grapefruit juice, and every time I drank, it would activate the acid reflux."

In fact, 20 million Americans feel just like the 24-year-old White Oak native, who has severe acid reflux.

Do you have GERD?

"On a good day, your valve opens for food and closes after you have eaten," said UPMC surgeon Dr. James Luketich, "It prevents heartburn."

Dr. Luketich said that for millions of Americans, the valve malfunctions, usually after meals. So, instead of staying closed, it intermittently will leak, and that allows the acid to come back.

Dr. Luketich has entered Casey into a clinical trial to treat his disease. And, for the first time, a device that looks like a fashion accessory is changing Casey's quality of life for the better.

The device, called the LINX Reflux Management System, is like a magnetic bracelet of sorts. The tiny magnets pull themselves together and that creates the tension that prevents acid reflux .

The bracelet is inserted macroscopically and the patient has very little down time. An overnight stay in the hospital and a few days on a liquid diet is all that is needed.

Casey is enjoying the results.

"Actually, the Thursday after the surgery I had a huge glass of juice and didn't have a problem," Casey said.

Casey was the ideal patient for this surgery, but not everyone is.

Dr. Luketich said the ideal patient is someone who doesn't have any obvious lifestyle changes to make, but whose heartburn still overwhelms the medications.

The good news is if you qualify for the trial, there should be little or no cost to the patient.

"Most of the workup for this disease is covered by insurance, because it is a very common disease," said Dr. Luketich, "As you decide you are going to go down this road, the clinical trial company has to cover all of the expenses."

So far, the side effects have been limited.

"Is this going to be the final answer? It is way too early to say that," said Dr. Luketich, "The early results are encouraging, and I would say it is extremely safe and is working well in patients that have had it placed."

The study has been under way for about a year. For just the past month, the bracelets have been surgically inserted.

Study Web site is: www.refluxstudy.com
Company Web site is: www.toraxmedical.com

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Julie Ward, RN, BSN
Study Coordinator
Shadyside Medical Building
5200 Centre Avenue
Suite 715
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

To speak to a study coordinator and to see if you qualify, call: 412-647-8583.