8:30 a.m. Abstract #1502 (poster) Clot-busting drug shows promise in unresponsive cardiac arrest. A trial of the clot-busting drug tenecteplase (TNK) suggests that it may improve outcomes in some of the most difficult cases of cardiac arrest. Fast-acting TNK was given to 30 cardiac arrest patients (66 percent male, average age 59) who did not respond initially to advanced cardiac life support. A return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) occurred in 30 percent, 17 percent survived to be admitted to intensive care and 7 percent (1 of 22) survived to hospital discharge. Time to getting the drug averaged 31 minutes, and time from drug administration to ROSC averaged 7.8 minutes. The researchers concluded that TNK use in cardiac arrest is associated with ROSC and with survival to hospital discharge with good neurologic function, even in patients who initially fail to respond to resuscitation efforts. "Prospective controlled trials are indicated to evaluate this promising new therapy," said the researchers.
4 p.m. Abstract #3266 Pharmacist-managed cardiovascular risk reduction program works. Published data indicate that despite the short-term success of programs that make sure all patients with cardiovascular disease are treated according to clinical guidelines, recidivism can still be as high as 50 percent one year after treatment begins. Recidivism occurs when patients receive orders for therapy in accordance with guidelines, but then are "lost" to follow-up and may not reach treatment goals. Kaiser Permanente Colorado reports that its clinical pharmacist-managed cardiovascular risk reduction service (C
'"/>
Contact: Carole Bullock
carole.bullock@heart.org
214-706-1279
American Heart Association
9-Nov-2003