The end of the year affords us the opportunity to assess our accomplishments, review our shortcomings and use this information to plan for the year and years ahead. Despite the profound challenges of national and international natural and political disaster, 2005 will nonetheless remain a year of solid scientific progress in the realm of cardiovascular disease. Here at the Florida Heart Research Institute we have witnessed some dramatic advances in our research endeavors.
For a number of years we have been involved in the study of the physiologic basis for a truly novel therapy, which may have broad implications in the treatment of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and cardiac arrest, as well as in therapy for all forms of inflammatory diseasesperiodic acceleration. Simple rocking of the human body in the head to toe axis, at defined amplitudes, frequencies and g-forces can have profound effects on internal homeostasis. Our research has demonstrated that the resulting shear stress on vascular endothelium fosters the release of nitric oxide as well as prostaglandins, resulting in a preferential redistribution of blood floor to vital organs as well as a resistance to ischemic injury. Work in animal models has demonstrated an improved survival and cardiac function after cardiac arrest compared with standard resuscitation techniques, a decrease in inflammatory mediators and resistance to asthmatic stimuli and a decrease in pulmonary artery pressures and improved ventilation and perfusion following lung injury. It has been very gratifying over this past year to witness several journal publications and three separate presentations at the Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association on this research.
Long before the availability and popularity of an assay for the heart hormone BNP (interestingly enough called “brain” natriuretic peptide, because it was first discovered in brain tissue), FHRIs collaborative work with the Mayo Clinic was addressing the issue of using this measurement to identify heart failure in its preclinical form, across different ethnic groups. During this past year we have begun to identify some of the variable expression and modification of this peptide which may account for its clinical behavior. Moreover, we have begun to modify the peptide ourselves to facilitate improved clinical effectiveness. The need to identify those patients with and without structural heart disease who are prone to sudden malignant arrhythmias has never been greater. The FHRI is working closely with the University of Miami to help identify candidate genes and specific mutations which might be used to identify patients at risk. This past year we have not only identified several novel mutations, but have also developed techniques of assaying RNA to obtain critical genetic information in a more readily available form.
Although the benefits of the use of the internal thoracic (ITA) artery in coronary bypass surgery have long been recognized, the incremental benefit of a second mammary remain controversial. As the year draws to a close, FHRI is concluding the longest follow-up on the largest group of single vs. double ITA patients ever studiedas we analyze the data, we will keep you posted!
Although the accomplishments of the year have been inspiring, the task before us is daunting, and calls for a renewed vigor and a refreshed perspective. All of us here at the Florida Heart Research Institute wish all of you and your families a happy and refreshing holiday season and a healthy and invigorating new year.
