Heart News
|
|
Blood clot catcher stops strokesHundreds of thousands of strokes could be prevented each year by a device that diverts blood clots from the brain. Developed by scientists in Israel, the simple mesh cylinder is implanted in the neck. The Diverter created by MindGuard, serves as the ‘traffic police’ of blood flow, redirecting troublesome cardio-embolic material away from the brain to a non-hazardous place such as the face. The device was implanted into a patient last year, and the woman is still stroke-free. After implantation, the patient can immediately return to a daily routine, without additional treatment. According to MindGuard, those suitable for treatment include patients who have suffered a stroke in the past, and others at high risk. Despite recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of strokes, it remains the third leading cause of death in the Western world. The most common cause of stroke is a blood clot in the body breaking off and travelling to the brain, where it blocks one of the small blood vessels. This deprives cells of oxygen and kills of part of the brain. Scientists believe the Diverter could provide an alternative to anti-clotting drugs, which can sometimes cause life-threatening bleeding. A stroke can affect anyone at any age, although some people are at higher risk – such as those with high blood pressure, or those who have already suffered a mini stroke or heart attack. Any hardening of the arteries, angina or an abnormal heartbeat also increases the risk. High-tech cypher stentsThis was in a recent newspaper article, three years ago at 36 a lady underwent a triple bypass operation, heart disease had narrowed her arteries so badly. Just ten days after the operation her arteries were found to be blocked again. What followed was a fight to keep her arteries from repeatedly narrowing. This was caused by a condition known as restenosis, where the arteries block again through scar tissue. It took doctors four hours to insert four stents – mesh like metal tubes – in a procedure called angioplasty through the groin and into the arteries to keep them open. A few months later the stents failed and had to be replaces. Then in September 2001 the lady was offered revolutionary brachytheraphy, where doctors use a radioactive ribbon to prevent scar tissue growing. But by January 2002 her arteries had blocked yet again and she had to have yet more stents. After having seven stents fitted and the brachytherapy treatment, scar tissue was still forming. Doctors were baffled, and the only option was another triple bypass. Then last year doctors offered her ground breaking new stents from America. Called Cypher Stents they release medications, which stop scar tissue forming and blocking the arteries. Facts about Angina
One pharmacy source said “This is the final hurdle but the process of approval is already well down the line. Pharmacists have been pushing for this for some time”. The move is the most significant shake-up of medicine licensing since the morning after pill was approved for sale over the counter in 2000. It is not yet known how much statins will cost, but the price to the NHS of a month’s supply is around £30, or £1 per day. Sources suggest the drug will be ‘affordably’ priced. Pharmacists will be expected to question patients on heart attack risk factors such as age, smoking and exercise levels. Statins work by altering the action of an enzyme in the liver, which is responsible for the production of cholesterol. Drug manufacturer Johnson and Johnson MSD is the first to apply for a licence to bring its product Zocor off prescription, but firms producing other statins are expected to follow. The British Heart Foundation welcomed this move but warned that there were still key details to be thrashed out. The Foundation recommends anyone who is concerned about his or her cholesterol levels or their risk of coronary heart disease to discuss this with their GP. |
Web Design by GreenKey - Copyright ©Heart2Hearts 2003. All rights reserved. |