High-Tech Angina Relief Explored in Treatment Trials

Article Abstract:

Researchers continue to evaluate treatments for angina. Angina is chest pain caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart. One technique being tested is called transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR). During this surgical procedure, the patient's heart is exposed and a laser is used to create small channels in the heart muscle. The holes close quickly, so other researchers give the patient growth factors to stimulate blood vessel growth. One study found that recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF) was no better than a placebo, but long-term follow-up may show different results. Lanoteplase and tenecteplase are two clot-busting drugs that can be given in a single dose.

Evaluation, Myocardial revascularization, Fibrinolytic agents, Thrombolytic drugs, Angina pectoris

---

Are OTC statins ready for prime time?

Article Abstract:

All across the UK, low-cost, cholesterol-lowering drug, simvastatin, will be available without prescriptions, but higher-dose statins will have to be purchased against prescription. The decision on the part of the government follows years of clinical trials, which proved the efficacy of the drug in treating lipid levels, but skeptics feel that while low doses of statins reduce cholesterol levels they have not been proved to effectively reduce cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity.

United Kingdom, Cardiovascular diseases, Dosage and administration, Nonprescription drugs, Statins

---

Researchers probe aortic stenosis: an active, potentially treatable disease process?

Article Abstract:

Evidence is accumulating that aortic valve stenosis is actually caused by atherosclerosis rather than just a consequence of aging. For this reason, cholesterol-lowering drugs may prevent it from developing. There are also new imaging techniques such as electron beam tomography that can detect atherosclerosis in its early stages. Aortic valve stenosis is a hardening of one of the heart valves that prevents it from functioning properly.

Prevention, Causes of, Atherosclerosis, Aortic valve stenosis

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Progress in psychiatry. Are research ethics bad for our mental health?
• Abstracts: Sensing heart stress. Melusin, a muscle-specific integrin beta(sub)1--interacting protein, is required to prevent cardiac failure in response to chronic pressure overload
• Abstracts: Guidelines seek to standardize care for diseased heart valves. Peter J. Safar, MD: "father of CPR," innovator, teacher, humanist
• Abstracts: Colorectal cancer test use among persons aged greater than or equal to 50 years -- United States, 2001. Accuracy of revised Bethesda guidelines, microsatellite instability, and immunohistochemistry for the identification of patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer
• Abstracts: Withdrawal syndrome. Deficiency of interleukin-18 in mice leads to hyperphagia, obesity and insulin resistance

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.