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Tag: cardiovascular system

Can a new pharmaceutical lower blood cholesterol levels to improve cardiovascular health?

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On October 30, 2021

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life, chemical basis of life, digestive system

TeachableMedicalNews article 10312021

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. chemical basis of life chapter – cholesterol is a steroid type lipid
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – cholesterol is needed to stabilize plasma membranes of our cells
  3. digestive system chapter – liver synthesizes cholesterol
  4. cardiovascular system chapter – coronary artery disease starts with cholesterol buildup in the arteries

The news item:  Recently a report appeared about lowering our blood cholesterol level:

 

FDA approves drug that lowers cholesterol in a new way

Nexletol was approved for people genetically predisposed to have sky-high cholesterol and people who have heart disease and need to further lower their bad cholesterol.

The article stated that high LDL levels are connected with risk of heart attacks, and that this new drug blocks the cholesterol making enzyme in the liver. This new drug, Nexletol, acts differently from the statin drugs that also lower blood cholesterol.

So, Why Do I Care??  In the USA over 1 million people die yearly from heart attacks and strokes, and those deaths are at least partially caused by high blood cholesterol causing blockage inside the blood vessels. While there are life style modifications and drugs we can use to lower blood cholesterol, new pharmaceuticals may increase the success of lowering blood cholesterol.

Plain English, Please!!!   First, let’s talk about what cholesterol is and how it causes cardiovascular disease. Cholesterol is an organic molecule classified as a steroid type lipid. Cholesterol makes cell membranes sturdy, so all cells need it, and cholesterol transporting trucks, called LDL (low density

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How do we teach the immune system of a cancer patient to attack cancer?

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On July 30, 2021

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 07302021

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter– artificial DNA can direct the cell to make a new type of protein
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – receptor proteins are located in the plasma membrane
  3. tissue chapter –the liquid connective tissue nature of blood allows the separation of blood cell types
  4. immune system chapter – role of T cell in immune defense

The news item:  Recently a news report was published about a cancer patient’s fight for her life:

New treatment option for patients battling aggressive form of blood cancer

People battling relapsed or refractory (R/R) Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, an aggressive blood cancer, experience a challenging treatment journey. But a recently approved CAR T cell therapy gives patients a new option.

 

The article stated that the patient had B cell lymphoma that didn’t respond to chemotherapy, and that she started a new treatment where her T cells were removed from her blood, reprogrammed to attack her cancer, and then returned into her body.  The treatment was described as the CAR T treatment where CAR stood for chimeric antigen receptor.

So, Why Do I Care??   Some leukemia type cancers and lymphoma type cancers do not respond to regular chemotherapy. While the total number of the patients is relatively low (a few thousand), the  new approach (CAR T) to cancer treatment now presents a new option for those patients with cancers resisting regular chemotherapy. Knowing how this type of treatment is created allows us to understand treatment regimens such as Kymriah, Yescarta, and Tecartus. In addition, the CAR T treatment type may inspire more out of the box thinking to defeat cancer.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about why would we want to train our immune system. In our body only the cells of the immune system are the only ones that can find and destroy specific targets

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How can a catheter device seal an unwanted open blood vessel near the heart of prematurely born babies?

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On February 26, 2021

In cardiovascular system, respiratory system

TeachableMedicalNews article 02262021

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. heart chapter – aorta and pulmonary trunk around the heart
  2. blood vessel anatomy chapter – blood vessels at the start of the pulmonary and systemic circulations
  3. blood vessel anatomy chapter – modified blood circulations in the fetus
  4. respiratory system chapter – blood vessel carrying blood to and from lungs

The news item:  the following report was published recently,

FDA approves new closure device for heart defect in premature babies

One out of 10 of all babies are born premature.

 

The article states that every year about 12,000 very low birthweight premature babies develop a disorder called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and that the Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder device seals an opening between two blood vessels.

So, Why Do I Care??  As the article stated 12,000 prematurely born low birthweight babies can be helped by this device. Imagine a tiny newborn whose lungs are not working properly, because not enough blood flows to the lungs. Such respiratory distress is life threatening, so a new device can give those newborns a much better chance for survival.

Plain English, Please!!!

First, let’s talk about what the ductus arteriosus is.  The ductus arteriosus is a quarter-inch long blood vessel that connects the aorta and the pulmonary trunk near the heart. Imagine that the pulmonary

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How could a new non-pacing electronic device help chronic heart failure patients?

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On November 25, 2020

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life, muscular system

TeachableMedicalNews article 11252020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – protein synthesis in cells can be changed by stimulus
  2. muscle tissue chapter – thick and thin filaments in the sliding filament muscle contraction model
  3. muscle tissue chapter – the role of calcium in muscle contraction model
  4. heart chapter – relationship of stroke volume to cardiac output

The news item:  Recently a new electronic device, Optimizer Smart, was in the news:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/25/fda-approves-new-device-for-patients-with-chronic-heart-failure.html

The article states that this device is not a pacemaker; it sends non-excitatory signals, and this way it improves the squeezing ability of the heart which, in turn, improves the physical abilities of the heart failure patients.

So, Why Do I Care??  In the USA there are about 5 million people living with congestive heart failure. There are over 500,000 new cases every year, and 280,000 deaths. The people who live with congestive heart failure have a diminished quality of life because their physical activities are limited. Any new approach to help those patients is welcome news.

Plain English, Please!!!  First, let’s talk about what heart failure is. Contrary to popular belief “heart failure” doesn’t mean that the heart stops beating. Heart failure means that the cardiac output (the blood volume pumped out each minute)

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Can a self-injected treatment help asthma sufferers?

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On July 26, 2020

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life, chemical basis of life, respiratory system, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 07262020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. chemical basis of life chapter – protein structure determines biological activity
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – concept of receptor proteins in cell membranes
  3. tissue chapter – locations of smooth muscle
  4. immune system chapter – cytokines as stimulators of immune functions
  5. cardiovascular system chapter – white blood cell types in circulating blood
  6. respiratory system chapter – dilation and constriction of bronchioles

The news item:  Recently a new form of asthma treatment was in the news:

‘Life-changing’ asthma injection will be offered to patients

Around 100,000 patients in the UK whose symptoms are too bad for traditional inhalers or steroids will be eligible for treatment with benralizumab.

The article mentions the disorder eosinophilic asthma, that it is caused by too many white blood cells in the lungs, and that this asthma limits what sufferers may do in their day to day lives.

So, Why Do I Care??  Asthma is a respiratory disorder that afflicts 2.5 million people in the USA. In the age group of 35-50 year olds the eosinophilic asthma is the most frequent. Inhaled pharmaceuticals, common for asthma treatment, come with undesirable side effects after long-term use.  Attacking asthma from a different angle provide a new way to treat patients, and it may help people where inhaled asthma treatments fail.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about asthma. While asthma may be started by different conditions, like allergies, cold temperature, the root cause of asthma is always the unwanted restriction of airflow into the lungs.  An important part of our respiratory system is made up of tubes that channel air deep into our lungs, to the air sacks. A set of those tubes, the bronchioles, are 1/20 of an inch in diameter, and they have the ability to narrow and restrict airflow, because the bronchioles have smooth muscle in their walls. When those smooth muscles contract, the narrowed bronchiole restricts airflow to the air sacks.

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Can we treat sickle cell anemia by making red blood cells less sticky?

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On April 1, 2020

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life

TeachableMedicalNews article  04012020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – concept of one gene, one protein
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – concept of gene mutation leading to protein malfunction
  3. cellular basis of life chapter – adhesion proteins in plasma membrane
  4. blood chapter – red blood cell structure
  5. blood chapter – sickle cell anemia caused by globin gene mutation

The news item:  Recently a new drug, Adakveo, was approved to treat sickle cell anemia patients:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/20/novartis-wins-medicaid-approval-for-new-sickle-cell-drug-in-key-us-states.html

The article mentions that this disorder afflicts 100,000 people in the USA, that the disorder is caused by sickle shaped red blood cell, that the drug is a biological and injectable drug, and that the drug treats the pain crises of this disorder.

So, Why Do I Care??  There are millions of people living with this disease

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Why does a bone marrow transplant create news in the National Hockey League?

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On January 1, 2020

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system

TeachableMedicalNews article 12312019

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – formation of cancer cells
  2. blood chapter – stem cells in the formation of white blood cells in red bone marrow
  3. blood chapter – stem cells in red bone marrow can be moved from one person to another
  4. immune system chapter – role of macrophages and cytokines in starting immune reactions

The news item:  A happy introduction was in the news recently where a bone marrow donor and the bone marrow recipient met in person the first time:

Eruption of joy as Laila Anderson meets her bone marrow donor

TOWN AND COUNTRY, Mo. – An 11-year-old came face-to-face with the man whose bone marrow donation gave her a second chance at life. There were hundreds of people gathered at the Be the Match gala in Town and Country to witness the special moment and to support young Laila Anderson’s unique journey.

The article mentions that Laila Anderson’s life was saved by the bone marrow donation. 

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Can you strengthen the immune system of cancer patients in chemotherapy treatment?

By

On December 21, 2019

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system

TeachableMedicalNews article 12202019

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – formation of cancer cells
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – DNA and mitosis
  3. blood chapter – formation of white blood cells in red bone marrow
  4. immune system chapter – immune protection by white blood cells 

The news item:  The pharmaceutical Neulasta was in the news recently:

Mylan CEO promises Neulasta biosimilar will offer “significant savings” for patients

It’s been nearly two years since the pharmaceutical giant took tremendous heat for the rising cost of EpiPens

The article mentions that a new company will be making a similar and cheaper drug to Neulasta, and that Neulasta is used to reduce infections in patients during cancer treatment.

So, Why Do I Care??  Cancer patients are frequently treated with drugs to kills the cancer cells. Such chemotherapy drugs are used to treat most of the 1.7 million new cancer cases each year in the USA.  Chemotherapy treatments have many damaging side effects on the patients.  Minimizing of those side effects improves patient comfort, survival, and the success of the chemotherapy treatment.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s; talk about chemotherapy.  Cancers grow by cells dividing faster than normal cells of the body, and the chemotherapy drugs are used to stop or slow the division of cancer cells.  One side effect of chemotherapy treatment is that normal cells are also stopped from dividing. One of those normally quickly dividing group of cells is located in the red bone marrow.

Second, let’s talk about red bone marrow.  This red, toothpaste-like mush of cells is trapped inside our spongy bones, like breastbone, pelvic bone, and others.  Millions of new red and white blood cells are created by cell division in the red bone marrow every day.  Picture cell division as a car driving at normal speed; you have to keep your foot on the gas pedal.  Chemotherapy drugs are like a foot on the brake pedal; as they slow down cell division, they slow down red and white blood cell production in the bone marrow.

Third, let’s talk about white blood cells.  The white blood cells defend our bodies against bacteria, viruses and fungi. Every day we lose thousands of white blood cells during that defense, so we need constant replacement.  When the cell division in the red bone marrow is slowed by chemotherapy drugs, the replacement of white blood cells slows down, and bacteria and virus infections can get a foothold in the body.  Neulasta (and similar drugs) speeds up white blood cell creation; they step on the gas pedal of cell division in the bone marrow even during chemotherapy treatment.  That provides enough white blood cells to defend the body better against invaders during chemotherapy treatment.

 

Is putting a filter into our large blood vessels a good idea?

By

On November 15, 2019

In cardiovascular system, nervous system, respiratory system

TeachableMedicalNews article 11152019

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. blood chapter – blood clot formation
  2. blood vessel chapter – direction of blood flow in veins
  3. heart chapter – pulmonary circulation
  4. respiratory system chapter – blood flow to alveoli for gas exchange

The news item: The medical device called “IVC filter” was in the consumer safety news recently:

IVC Filter Lawsuit | 2020 Updates and Settlements

If you experienced side effects from an IVC filter, you may be eligible for compensation. Get a free case review today at ConsumerSafety.org.

The article provided updates regarding lawsuits targeting the IVC filter. The article mentioned the purpose of the device which is to remove unwanted blood clots, and that the device as placed in the inferior vena cava.

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Can a practical artificial heart fit in a backpack?

By

On July 28, 2019

In cardiovascular system

TeachableMedicalNews article 07282019

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cardiovascular system chapter – importance of the heart’s functioning
  2. cardiovascular system chapter – importance of heart valves, myocardium, conduction system for proper heart function
  3. cardiovascular system chapter – devices that replace faulty parts of the heart, or the entire heart in patients

 

This article is the work of Mallory Riggs.

 

Can a practical artificial heart fit in a backpack?

The news item:

The use of an artificial heart in a backpack was reported by Express website:

Mother carries heart in rucksack following severe heart failure

THANKS to her amazing rucksack Selwa Hussain is celebrating the New Year her family feared she would never see.

 

 

The article reports on Selwa, a law school graduate, a wife and a mother, who has a portable artificial heart.  The article describes her symptoms that lead to the diagnosis of heart failure.  The article states that a heart transplant wasn’t an option for her, so she was connected to an artificial heart, and eventually she received a portable version of it.

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