NEW YORK (Nov. 8, 2008) — Leading cardiologists and cardiovascular experts at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell's Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute and Weill Cornell Medical College are presenting new basic and clinical research findings at the American Heart Association (AHA) meeting in New Orleans, Nov. 8–12.
Among the presenters, Dr. Antonio M. Gotto Jr., co-author of the JUPITER study, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medical College and a world-renowned authority in the field of cardiovascular medicine, will be available to discuss the study's findings, which will be presented on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, at 3:45 p.m.-3:55 p.m. in Hall F (see more below).
Highlights from NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell physician-scientists include the following:
Findings from the JUPITER Trial
[161]
PS.01-Late-Breaking Clinical Trials I
Sunday, Nov. 09, 2008, 3:45 p.m.-3:55 p.m.
Hall F
***EMBARGOED UNTIL NOVEMBER 9, 9 A.M., EST.***
Findings from the international JUPITER study may change the way clinical diagnosis and treatment of heart disease is determined. The study, published in the Nov. 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine and presented on the same date at the American Heart Association's annual meeting in New Orleans, finds that an already available cholesterol-lowering drug, Crestor (rosuvastin), may help to decrease the risk of cardiovascular events in patients without high cholesterol, but who have increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). This protein is an inflammatory biomarker that predicts cardiovascular events, and may be present independently of hyperlipidemia, including high levels of LDL cholesterol.
"The findings are a first step in showing that cholesterol is not the only measure of heart disease risk in patients," says Dr. Gotto. "Understanding other factors, like CRP level, is important when trying to understand the entire story of cardiovascular disease."
The researchers examined nearly 18,000 subjects who had no history of cardiovascular events or elevated LDL levels. Half of the subjects received the drug, and half were given a placebo pill. The findings showed that cardiovascular events, such as stroke and heart attack, were significantly reduced among those without hyperlipidemia but with elevated CRP.
The Following is Embargoed Until Day & Time of Specific Presentation (CST):
Drug Combo of Losartan and Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) Affectively Lowers Cardiovascular Risk
[4421]
AOS.40.1-Hypertension: Emerging Treatment Strategies
Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Room 225-227
Authors: Peter M Okin, Richard B Devereux
Dr. Peter Okin will present results showing the additive value of HCTZ to other anti-hypertensive therapy with losartan or atenolol to lower the risk of death due to a cardiovascular event, myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke.
Effect of Hypertension Diuretic Drugs on Diabetes
[4434]
APS.40.4-Hypertension: Mediators of Therapeutic Response
Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Hall A-B1, Poster Board: C175
Authors: Peter M Okin, Richard B Devereux
Thiazide diuretics, drugs used to treat hypertension, may be associated with a higher risk of developing diabetes and lower serum potassium levels. Dr. Okin found that hypokalemia, low serum potassium levels, is associated with the development of high glucose blood levels independent of thiazide therapy.
Central Pulse Pressure (PP) Better Predicts Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
[6203]
AOS.93.4-Arterial and Venous Assessment and Risk
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, 10:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Room 355
Authors: Mary J. Roman, Richard B. Devereux, Jorge R. Kizer, Peter M. Okin
Findings show that central PP is the best predictor of adverse cardiovascular events, independent of CVD risk factors. The findings support further examination of central PP as a biomarker for heart disease and as a measure in clinical trials.
New Gene Identified for Aortic Aneurysms
[C179]
APS.37.1. Biomarkers of Cardiomyopathy and Coronary Artery Disease
Sunday, November 9, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Hall A-B1, Poster Board: C179
Authors: Katharine J Bee, David Wilkes, Deborah A McDermott, Craig T Basson
The authors have identified an unrecognized region of a gene — already known to cause a rare form of aortic aneurysm — that may account for common aortic aneurysms throughout the American population. These findings may provide new routes for novel diagnostic approaches in patients.
Enzyme Linked to Heart Tumors
[4417]
APS.37.2-Genetics and Genomics of Arrhythmias and Ion Channels
Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Hall A-B1, Poster Board: C170
Authors: Konstantinos Charitakis, David Wilkes, Luke Kim, Matthew Inra, Deborah A. McDermott, Craig T. Basson
Findings show defects in the function of a common enzyme causing heart tumors, called myxomas. The researchers believe that the study's findings in preclinical trials, performed in animal models, may lead to the development of new therapies for patients with this form of heart tumor.
Coronary Artery Growth — Implications for Cardiac Malformations
[1459]
APS.16.1a-Cardiac Development
Monday, Nov 10, 2008, 9:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
Hall A-B1, Poster Board: B24
Authors: Diman Y Nata, Gabriel Brooks, Cathy J Hatcher, Craig T Basson
The findings identify a new mechanism for the development and growth of coronary arteries. The study has implications for children born with abnormal heart structure and for adults who develop heart attacks.
***Experts from the Perelman Heart Institute at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell and Weill Cornell Medical College are available to comment on the latest research presented at the American Heart Association Meeting.***
Andrew Klein
ank2017@med.cornell.ed