Heart Lesson: Test Your Knowledge What's NewIn Treating Heart Disease? (NAPSA)—Get up to speed on the newest treatment for heart disease. It’s the drug-eluting stent and doctors around the world are calling it one of the greatest advances in modern medicine. Learn about this remarkable device and how it can help you. Then test your knowledge by answering five questions at the end. The Facts In spring 2003, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved the CYPHER” Sirolimus-eluting Coronary Stent for treatment of blocked arteries in the heart (coronary arteries). The new device was developed to stop the regrowth of sear tissue in the vessel, which is the number one cause of reblockage of treated coronary arteries. How does it work? The tiny stainless steel structure, no bigger than the spring in a ballpoint pen, is coated in the drug sirolimus, which reduces the likelihood of sear tissue formation. The stent props the vessel open and gradually releases the drug sirolimus into the vessel wall to reduce tissue regrowth. The release is complete within 90 days. Sirolimus is often described as a gentle, but strong drug. It remains active for an extended period, and unlike many other products used to stop tissue growth, it doesn’t kill cells. It simply puts them in a resting state. See What You’ve Learned 1. A coronary stent is a.) a This coronary stent is helping preventarteries from blocking up again after treatment. plastic tube b.) a tiny metal device used to prop arteries open c.) a graft of synthetic tissue? 2. The purpose of the new drug-eluting coronary stent is a.) to keep blocked heart vessels open b.) to slow a fast heart rate c.) both of the above. 3. The stent is coated in the drug sirolimus a.) to make the stent easier to insert b.) to keep the stent strong c.) to keep the vessel wall from producingcells that cause reblockage. 4. The advantage(s) the drug sirolimusoffers is a.) it stops cells from dividing without killing them b.) it’s long-acting c.) both of the above. 5. It takes this long for the drug, sirolimus, to release fully into the vessel wall a.) 90 days b.) 60 days c.) nine months. For more information, visit www.cypherusa.com. Answers ‘Bg to Pp fog fey qv yt
