News Tips for Wednesday, Nov. 10
From the American Heart Association's 72nd Scientific Sessions
Nov. 7-10, 1999, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia
To complement our news releases, here are additional news tips reported by News Media Relations from more than 4,000 abstracts. Abstract numbers are listed for each tip. Note: Stories are embargoed until papers are presented or poster sessions begin. For more information, Nov. 7-10, call Carole Bullock, Darcy Spitz, Karen Hunter, Bruce Lewis (broadcast), or Berna Diehl in the News Media Center (room 256-257 W) of the Georgia World Congress Center: (404) 222-5002. Before or after those dates, call News Media Relations in Dallas: (214) 706-1279 or 706-1173.
11 a.m. - 3550 - New device protects angioplasty patients from dangerous blood clots traveling to the brain. Researchers say that the PercuSurge device is easy to use, and seems safe and effective in protecting the brain from blood clots sometimes caused by angioplasty and stent operations. The scientists studied 277 patients who underwent either angioplasty to open a clogged blood vessel, or implantation of a stent in the carotid artery of the neck, which supplies blood to the brain. The device was implanted successfully in all 58 study patients, with one patient showing neurological complications afterward. In the group that did not receive the brain protection device, 11 patients experienced neurological complications. The researchers are awaiting larger studies of the device. Michael Henry, Polyclinique, Essey-les-Nancy, France, ph.: 33-3-8318-8358; fax: 33-3-8318-8356; [email protected].
1:30 p.m. "¢ P4602 - Patch doesn't raise heart attack risk, might lower it. Contrary to a few case reports, wearing a nicotine patch (NP) in an effort to kick the habit doesn"¢t raise smokers"¢ risk of a first heart attack, a new study confirms. Researchers compared NP use among 635 smokers who"¢d had a heart attack in with two years of NP use among 2,990 smokers with no history of heart problems. The scientists found "no association" between NP use and increased risk of heart attack. Among heavier smokers, NP use actually appeared to be associated with a significantly lower heart attack risk. Stephen E. Kimmel, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ph.: (215) 898-1740; fax: (215) 573-3106; [email protected].
1:30 p.m. -- P4356 "¢ Cardiac rehab programs benefit heart patients with high psychological distress. Researchers say that psychological distress, particularly depression and hostility, can increase the risk of heart disease and hamper recovery from heart attack. However, cardiac rehab programs may significantly counteract this problem. Researchers studied 500 heart patients who underwent cardiac rehabilitation and exercise. The study found that cardiac rehabilitation significantly reduced the patients"¢ levels of anxiety, depression and hostility. Patients also showed improvements in their levels of HDL "good" cholesterol, triglyceride levels and body mass index "¢ an indicator of obesity. Carl J. Lavie, Ochsner Medical Institutions, New Orleans, LA, ph.: (504) 842-4135; fax: (504) 842-3278; [email protected].
1:30 p.m. - P4603 - Depression a strong blow to long-term heart health. Scientists say that depression has a profound effect on overall heart health. Researchers analyzed data from three studies of people with acute coronary events, such as heart attack or severe chest pain. All individuals studied had completed the Beck Depression Inventory, a test for depression, in the hospital. The study found that about 30 percent of the heart attack patients reported mild to moderate depression, as did about 40 percent of the chest pain patients. After two-years, 123 patients had suffered a cardiac related death, while 32 died from some other cause. The scientists say that the negative effect of depression on heart health was still strong after adjustments were made for age, gender or previous heart attack. The researchers conclude that studies targeting depression should not be limited to individuals who have already suffered a heart attack, but to individuals who have chest pain or other symptoms of heart disease. Francois Lesperance, Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, PQ, Canada, ph.: (514) 376-3330 x3761; fax: (514) 376-1355; [email protected].
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