Valenzuela’s Heart Shows Restricted Flow of Blood

MILWAUKEE —  Doctors have determined that cardiac irregularities found during tests on pitcher Fernando Valenzuela were caused by a rare condition that restricts blood flow to the heart.

The Angel left-hander will be treated with oral medication for a week and will then undergo a treadmill test. If the results of the test are satisfactory, it is expected that Valenzuela will be able to resume pitching for the Angels.

An angiogram was performed on Valenzuela by Dr. Larry Santora at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange on Tuesday, at which time the condition--described as myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending artery--was diagnosed.

Santora said the artery leading to Valenzuela’s heart “crimps” when the heart contracts, which explains abnormalities detected during a test administered in 1987 while he was with the Dodgers and again in May.

In a statement released by the club, the Angels said results of the angiogram indicated no narrowing or hardening of the arteries. An angioplasty procedure was also ruled out.

Valenzuela had been placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday after a thallium-treadmill test indicated possible cardiac problems. That test was done to follow up indications of a potential problem found during a routine test given to Valenzuela when he signed with the Angels.

Valenzuela, 30, is 0-2 in two starts with a 12.15 earned-run average. After being released by the Dodgers in late March, the Angels signed him to a minor league contract in May. He made three minor league starts before making his Angel debut June 7 in a 5-0 loss to the Detroit Tigers. In his second start, June 12, he was routed by the Milwaukee Brewers after 1 2/3 innings, during which he gave up five earned runs.

Valenzuela, who replaced Scott Lewis in the starting rotation after Lewis went 1-5, is eligible for activation June 28. Right-hander Joe Grahe took Valenzuela’s spot as the fifth starter Tuesday, when the Angels opened a two-game series against the Brewers at County Stadium.