Identical twins could provide clues to heart disease

Monday, March 13th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Although identical twins Ray and Fay Fioretti have done almost everything together for 64 years, a family history of heart problems may more accurately explain why both have had to obtain heart transplants, doctors say.

Both underwent the transplants within months of each other after they suffered weakened hearts that could supply their brains with only about 25 percent of the normal blood flow, said Dr. John Chaffin, the surgeon who performed both procedures at Integris Baptist Medical Center.

The oddity of identical twins both suffering similar heart problems that forced them to have similar surgeries around the same time is intriguing to Chaffin and scientists.

Researchers who are working to solve the genetics vs. environment mystery regarding the root causes of heart disease say they hope to get some help from the Stigler natives.

Chaffin says heart bypass surgery on siblings is common. "But I've never heard of twins having heart transplants," he says.

Chaffin says the Fiorettis were very ill when they went on the transplant list last summer. Ray Fioretti was the first to receive a donor heart. On June 24, a transplant team replaced his deteriorated heart with one from a 15-year-old girl.

Fay Fiorettigot his second chance six months later with a new heart from a 25-year-old man. The Fiorettis shared an Oklahoma City apartment while recuperating. This month they returned to their southeastern Oklahoma homes.

Some doctors have speculated that the Fioretti twins' premature births could have contributed to their heart problems. The twins were small enough to fit into a hat box at birth. But Chaffin believe the there is probably a history of heart disease in the Fioretti family that contributed to their early heart failure.

Chaffin says there's no evidence of an environmental influence on their health since the Fiorettis don't smoke or drink.

The Fiorettis' health problems have run almost parallel. Ray Fioretti suffered his first heart attack 13 years ago, Fay's first attack was 12 years ago. The twins have battled heart problems ever since.

As Ray Fioretti was being released from the hospital after hisf irst attack, Fay Fioretti was being flown by helicopter to the same hospital after suffering his own heart attack. Both had heart-bypass surgery at the same time, and both were stricken with diabetes at the same time.

Both qualified last spring for the transplant program at Integris' Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute, but Ray Fioretti was the first to go on the transplant list. His heart came within days.

The twins joke that they may not be identical now that they have different hearts. "I'm watching to make sure he doesn't start rearranging the furniture or shop for clothes too much," says Fay Fioretti of his brother who now has a female's heart.

Their experience has made them organ donation advocates. "We're very thankful to our donors," Fay Fioretti says. "They've given us a second chance at life."