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| Coatings have been developed which help prevent stent restenosis. In general, the rate of re-narrowing (restenosis) of stents varies depending on the final diameter of the stent and multiple individual biologic factors. After years of trial and mostly error, it appears that the rate of restenosis can be decreased from the current average of 20% to less than 10%. Clinical trials are still ongoing but preliminary data in several hundred patients suggests that the improvement in restenosis is real. Several companies including Johnson & Johnson, Boston Scientific, and Guidant have been involved in the development of the "coated" stents and have funded many of the clinical trials. Approval from the FDA will be necessary before the wide spread application of this new technology. Approval is expected within the next 3 months but final data are still pending. We will keep you posted. |
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| Multiple clinical trials carried out in the last five years have shown that a combination of medications including ß blockers and ace inhibitors are helpful in decreasing mortality and improving the quality of life of heart failure patients. Unfortunately, the mortality rate for severe heart failure is still approximately 20% per year (worse than many cancers). Active research to regenerate heart muscle cells by molecular biology techniques is ongoing and appears to be a promising avenue for the eventual "reconstruction" of the damaged heart. Other promising areas of research include stem cell and mechanical replacement as well as synchronization of cardiac activation via cardiac pacing. As new developments occur in this fast moving area, we will bring them to your attention. |
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| It used to be thought that once a heart attack occurred and heart muscle had been damaged, it was irreversible. Researchers found that injection of bone marrow into the coronary artery supplying blood flow to the damaged area can restore function by providing stem cells that differentiate into heart muscle. Preliminary data suggest that a third of the damage can be reversed in this way. Once these findings are confirmed, clinical application will help thousands of patients avoid heart failure resulting from major heart attacks. |
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