The rate of success is high, under the appropriate circumstances.

The condition is actually fairly common during gestation, but often corrects itself. In individuals who have it, it may go unnoticed unless a stroke occurs, generally in a very young person, which triggers further exploration. Mr. Sharon was definitely way above the average age for the PFO procedure, and many of us believed that there were actually other causes for his stroke.

The conventional approach in this country is not to proceed with the PFO until at least six to eight weeks have elapsed from the time of the stroke. Our protocol also dictates that the procedure is not done until and unless there has been a second stroke, except under certain conditions.

Again, we look at Mr. Sharon's age, which suggests that there were other conditions existing that may have caused his stroke. Also, in this country we use the procedure very cautiously. The guidelines are very prudent and restrictive.

Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt have observed and been moved by the personal devastation caused in people's lives by circumstances often out of their control.

Under normal circumstances, those talks could have violated antitrust provisions. Those kinds of discussions can occur under the supervision of the commission.