News Tips for Wednesday, Nov. 12
>From the American Heart Association's 70th Scientific Sessions Nov. 9-12, 1997, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida
10:30 a.m.- noon -- #3587 (poster) -- Right-heart catheterization, a diagnostic procedure that probes into one of the upper pumping chambers to assess the extent and seriousness of disease, has proved controversial. Some studies have questioned its safety amid recommendations that it not be used. This led German researchers to review records from 50,043 such procedures performed in their laboratory between 1972 and 1996. Only 52 serious complications occurred in these 24 years, none resulting in death or permanent disability of a patient. The investigators conclude: For individuals with mild to severe disease, "right heart catheterization can be safely performed at rest and during exercise with a very low rate of complications." Klaus Schnellbacher, Herz-zentrum Bad Krozingen, Bad Krozingen, Germany: 49-7633-402-502.
10:30 a.m.- noon -- #3611 (poster) -- Does hepatitis C virus cause inflammatory heart disease? A multi-center Japanese study suggests that it may. A "significantly higher" prevalence of hepatitis C antibodies was found in patients with the heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy than in normal blood donors tested and those with other forms of heart disease. Scientists also found genetic material for hepatitis C in heart cells -- indicating, they say, that the virus, which can mutate rapidly, replicates there. Akira Matsumori, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan: 81-75-7516477. Also see #3668 (poster, 10:30 a.m.-12 noon) for a report that chronic bronchitis may be associated with stepped-up clotting activity, higher risk of inflammation and heart disease. Pekka Jousilahti, Helsinki, Finland: 358-9-474-4338.
10:30 a.m.- noon -- #3633 (poster) -- This time, a red light may signal "go" -- for a promising new treatment for angioplasty recipients. Researchers report "encouraging results" in the first use of "red light therapy" to reduce the likelihood of a return of vessel blockages after the balloon procedure. Red light therapy involves short bursts with a low-energy laser inside the vessel. The red laser illumination appears to promote healing of balloon-damaged artery wall cells in individuals with varying degrees of vessel narrowing, say scientists. Preliminary results six months after treatment of 156 high-risk patients are "encouraging," the investigators report. Nicholas Kipshidze, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee: 414-257-6067.
10:30 a.m.- noon -- #3678 (poster) -- Short stature equaled higher risk of death from stroke in a 23-year study of 10,059 men conducted by Israeli researchers. After adjusting for possible "confounding" factors, including area of birth and blood pressure, the scientists found a "clear significant relationship" between height and risk of death from stroke. Short men's increased stroke risk could be related to "early malnutrition, poor childhood health or other unknown factors," conclude the researchers. Uri Goldbourt, Neufeld Cardiac Research Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel: 972-3-534-2392.
10:30 a.m.- noon -- #3679 (poster) -- To reduce the risk of certain birth defects, the Food and Drug Administration recently ordered that small amounts of folic acid be added to certain foods to reduce blood levels of homocysteine, a substance that has been linked to increased risk of heart disease. In a new study, 52 men and women with heart disease ate cereals fortified with varied amounts of folic acid, and researchers found the FDA-recommended dosage reduced homocysteine by only 3 to 5 percent. Higher doses of 400 to 665 milligrams will achieve two- or three-fold larger reductions in homocysteine. Such larger doses will be needed to reduce heart disease risk, they say. M.R. Malinow, Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Ore.: 503-690-5288. See #3669 (poster, 10:30 a.m.- noon) for report on a genetic mutation that's believed to be linked to high homocysteine levels. Brendan McQuillan, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia: 61-8-9346-4537.
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