Drug may be some heart protection 24 hours after a heart attack, Jefferson Medical College
A drug has been shown that some protection for the heart from injury even if given for up to 24 hours after a heart attack, Jefferson Medical College researchers report. Walter Koch, Ph.D., director of the Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, did Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and his colleagues that would protect the drug darbepoetin alfa ischemic heart disease. Darbepoetin is a cousin of long-term erythropoietin (EPO), which has been shown to provide some protection of the heart from injury from ischemia or hypoxia.In previous studies, where Dr. Cook, the EPO in the heart attack was simulated in another animal model, and found that it protected the animals.But in other studies, Dr. Koch Darbepoetin animals
at the time of ischemia and myocardial infarction after 1:59 hours and after 24 hours. In each case, the researchers found that the drug offered significant protection, heart tissue, and also helped to improve cardiac function. Dr. Koch believes the results can be rapidly translated into clinical studies. He and his team presented their findings November 16, 2005 Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2005 in Dallas.steven.benowitzjefferson.edu Thomas Jefferson University Jefferson.