New Weapon Against Blocked Arteries

Medicine’s New Weapon Against BlockedArteries (NAPSA)—Learn about medicine’s new secret weapon against blocked heart vessels. Read the information below and how it can help you. Then test your knowl- edge by answeringthe three questions at the end. The Facts Scientists have finally discovered the secret to keeping blocked heart vessels open. It’s a drug and its nameis sirolimus. Sirolimusis attached to the surface of a tiny metal structure called the CYPHER™ Sirolimus-eluting Coronary Stent and delivered directly to the vessel that needs treatment. This dynamic duo of drug and device helps keep the vessel propped open while gradually releasing sirolimus into the vessel lining. Thousandsare benefitting from a new method of treating blocked heart vessels. See What You’ve Learned 1. For decades, doctors have How doessirolimus work? Simple. It reduces cell division. For been frustrated by the fact that a.) tissue formation is the number one reason heart vessels tend to reclog. heart vessels are hard to reachc.) heart vessels are small. some vessels have to be retreated years doctors have known that scar manytimes to keep them openb.) Time and again, they open a blocked coronaryartery...and time 2. True or false? The CYPHER Stent works by propping the ves- and again the tissue grows back and the vessel has to be retreated. Sirolimussignificantly reduces this cycle of regrowth. But there is much more to sirolimus than the fact that it works. Sirolimus has a special quality. Sirolimus does not kill cells. It simply stops them from dividing, putting them in a quiet or resting state. For this reason, doctors often refer to sirolimus as strong, but gentle—an excellent drug for keeping blocked heart vessels open. sel open and releasing the drug sirolimusinto the vessel lining. 3. Sirolimus is considered an excellent solution to treating blocked heart vessels becauseit a.) reduces scar tissue from reblocking treated arteries b.) stops cells from dividing without killing them c.) can be attached to a stent and delivered directly to the area of blockage d.) all of the above. For more information, visit www.cypherusa.com. Answers ‘pg ‘ondy, “Z fe ‘T