Better Times Ahead for Heart Patients

Better Times Ahead for Heart Patients The Royal Brompton Hospital and Imperial College of Science and Technology team up with the European Scanning Clinic to research more effective methods of heart disease detection 13 February, London 2002. Today, Sir Magdi Yacoub launched the opening of the new European Scanning Clinic (ESC) in Harley Street where a joint NHS research project was unveiled. The Royal Brompton Hospital, Imperial College of Science and Medicine and the European Scanning clinic have teamed up to study improved methods of detecting heart disease in the UK. The research project will aim to understand how the new electron beam technology at the ESC can more accurately detect signs of heart disease compared to current methods e.g. exercise ECG tests. Currently, potential heart patients are measured for risk factors such as high cholesterol or via stress tests often when heart disease is already apparent. Many heart patients do not even know they are at risk until they suffer a heart attack. Electron beam tomography (EBT) is the latest development in scanning techniques which works at speeds that are able to "freeze" the motion of the beating heart and can detect heart disease at an even earlier stage. With more accurate and early diagnosis, disease progression can be prevented and often managed at a point where lifestyle modifications are the only changes needed. "This is an exciting new venture into the realms of accurately detecting heart disease at the earliest stage possible. It will be useful to understand the use of the new EBT technology which has been available in the States for over 10 years and now in the UK for the first time at the ESC, " said John Fitzgerald, Director of the ESC. The research project will also focus on comparing non-invasive electron beam angiography with conventional angiography. "We hope to obtain accurate anatomical relationships between cardiac structures in patients which may help minimise interventions and reduce major cardiac procedures, " said Michael Henein, consultant cardiologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital. Results will be presented at the British Cardiac Society meeting in Harrogate in May 2002. PHOTOS CAN BE SENT OF: 1. Sir Magdi Yacoub opening the European Scanning Clinic 2. 3-D image of heart using EBT (further images available if required) For further information please contact: Pia Hurme Mary Barrington-Ward Lucy Jones Hill & Knowlton Tel: 020 7413 3516 / 3059 / 3723 Fax: 020 7413 3112 E-mail: mbarring@hillandknowlton.com phurme@hillandknowlton.com ljones@hillanknowlton.com Notes to editors: EBT scanners are currently installed around the world in renowned institutions such as The Mayo Clinic in Rochester NY, Mount Sinai Medical Centre in Miami Beach, UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles, Friedrich Alexander University in Erlangen and The Alfried Krupp Hospital in Essen. Hundreds of thousands of people have undergone the scan and many are alive today because of the results of an EBT scan. Now this technology is available for the first time in the UK at the European Scanning Clinic, staffed by healthcare professionals with expertise and experience in disease diagnosis and prevention. Address: European Scanning Clinic 68 Harley Street London W1G 7HE Tel: 020 7436 5755 Fax: 020 7436 5756 Email: info@RYouWell.com Website: www.RYouWell.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/13/20020213BIT01260/bit0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/13/20020213BIT01260/bit0002.pdf