However, researchers in the Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University discovered that the inflammation associated with asthma directly affects the heart's recovery from a heart attack, confirming the growing body of evidence that indicates asthma may directly, and negatively, impact the cardiovascular system.
"The findings are clinically important because they provide the first evidence of a direct contribution of asthmatic conditions to cardiovascular complications, independent of any asthma drug therapy," according to Surovi Hazarika, the lead author. "If the findings are confirmed in human trials, asthma could be identified as a potential risk factor for post-operative complications and recurrent events following such cardiology interventions as angioplasty," she added.
*Paper presentations: Hazarika is presenting the research at the 35th Congress of the International Union of Physiological Sciences in San Diego, March 31 - April 5, 2005.
"Airway inflammation increases infarction after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion in mice," 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m. Sunday April 3, Physiology 389.21/board #A713. On view 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
"Neutrophil degranulation and ischemia-induced expression of neutrophil chemotactic molecules are enhanced in a murine model of asthma," 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m. Monday April 4, Physiology 691.4/board #A690. On view 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Research for both papers was done by Surovi Hazarika, Michael R. Van Scott and Robert M. Lust of the Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina. The studies are part of a collaborative project between the Lust la
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3-Apr-2005