Allegheny General Hospital Cardiovascular Institute Becomes Exclusive Pittsburgh Site for Study of Novel Coronary Artery Disease Device

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) May 20, 2013

Interventional cardiologist Tony Farah, MD, and his colleagues at the Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) Cardiovascular Institute have helped pioneer many breakthroughs in the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) over the past three decades, from new disease-fighting medications to life-saving procedures such as balloon angioplasty and coronary artery stent implantation.

Today, AGH officials announced that the hospital will once again play a prominent role in the study of a novel, first-of-its kind investigational device for CAD that many believe could be the next revolution in the treatment of a disease that strikes more than one million people annually in the United States, claims nearly 500,000 lives each year and is the leading cause of death for both men and women.

Under Dr. Farahs direction, AGH has been selected to join the ABSORB III clinical trial, a multi-center international study exploring a unique bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS), a small mesh tube that is designed to open a blocked artery and then fully dissolve over time, leaving the vessel free of a permanent metallic implant.

The FDA-approved study of the drug-eluting AbsorbTM BVS, made by healthcare company Abbott, is expected to enroll approximately 2,250 patients over the next 12 months, up to 200 of who could enter the trial at AGH.

Across every discipline in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, physicians at Allegheny General Hospital continue to set new standards of patient care through pioneering research and clinical ingenuity. The ABSORB study is just the latest example of the innovation that has been a hallmark of our cardiovascular program, said Dr. Farah, the hospitals principal investigator in the ABSORB III clinical trial.

Coronary artery disease is a condition in which one or more arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed, putting patients at risk of a heart attack and cardiac death. Similar to conventional metallic stents, the Absorb device is designed to open a blocked heart vessel and restore blood flow to the heart.

Unlike metallic stents, however, which are permanently implanted into the blood vessel, Abbotts Absorb is a uniquely engineered, temporary scaffold that provides support to the vessel until the artery can stay open on its own. Made of polylactide, a naturally dissolvable material that is commonly used in medical implants (such as dissolving sutures), the device dissolves into the blood vessel after its work has been done.

According to Dr. Farah, the potential advantages of a bioresorbable scaffold device are significant when it comes to the long-term management of CAD patients.

With the standardization of balloon angioplasty and stent implantation and the vast experience that we have accumulated in the use of these techniques, it has become apparent that the most effective and safe means of restoring natural blood vessel function in the setting of coronary disease is ultimately a treatment that leaves nothing behind in the vessel which was the original idea of angioplasty. The Absorb device moves us in the direction of that goal, Dr. Farah said.

Balloon angioplasty is a procedure in which a balloon tipped catheter is used to open an area of arterial blockage. The catheter is delivered into the artery through the skin via a small incision in the groin or arm.

Deployed in a similar fashion, stents evolved to help prevent a complication of angioplasty in which the previously opened lesion in the artery gradually re-narrows from continuing plaque build-up a condition called restenosis. To further improve stent performance, the technology was more recently advanced to include drug-eluting devices coated with medications designed to further inhibit the growth of plaque at the treatment site.

For all their effectiveness at improving the outcomes of many patients with CAD, the risks of conventional, permanently placed stents are not insignificant, Dr. Farah said.

Patients receiving stents typically require prolonged use of blood thinning medications to prevent blood clots from forming within the device, which may cause sudden heart attacks. Stented lesions are also still prone to restenosis, particularly among one of the largest subsets of patients at risk for CAD diabetics.

And for patients with advanced coronary disease, the presence of stents in multiple vessels has the potential to limit future heart surgery options, if needed.

Because of these concerns, there has always been a desire to find a better way to accomplish the pivotal short term function of stents, without the long-term complications, Dr. Farah said.

International studies to date of the Absorb device have been extremely encouraging and the start of the ABSORB III U.S. clinical trial follows the recent commercial launch of Absorb in Europe and parts of Latin America, Asia and India.

Absorb III is a prospective, randomized study that will compare Abbotts drug-eluting Absorb BVS devise to the companys XIENCETM family of drug eluting metallic stents. Both devices deliver everolimus, an anti-proliferative drug that has been shown to inhibit in-stent plaque growth in coronary vessels.

The primary endpoint of the trial is target lesion failure, a combined measure of safety and efficacy, at one year. In addition, a subset of patients within the trial will be evaluated for novel endpoints such as vasomotion, a measure of how much natural motion returns to the vessel as Absorb dissolves into the arterial tissue.

Dr. Farah said many patients with CAD who are good candidates for stent placement will be eligible for enrollment in the study. Those with questions about the clinical trial can contact Joe Carothers at 412-359-4156.

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Mr Rooter The Pittsburgh Plumber With The Eco-Friendly Philosophy

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PRWEB) November 29, 2012

Mr. Rooter, Bob Beall, the most referred plumber in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, area has a very eco-friendly philosophy. Most plumbers do a reputable job, but according to Beall; caring about the environment has become an imperative consideration when dealing with the number one plumbing emergency call: drain cleaning. Mr. Rooter, the plumber who never sleeps, offers daily expert plumbing advice to consumers. Why? Because Beall believes that not every plumbing need, needs a plumber!

Bealls children, now famous for their Call Our Dad campaign, have been taught since they were very young about the active ingredient in Drano and other conventional drain cleaners. According to Beall, sodium hydroxide, otherwise known as caustic soda or lye, is a man-made chemical used for its corrosive properties. Recently in a conversation with a consumer from the Boardman Ohio area, Mr. Rooter was asked why the product is still on the market. Beall says, to the Federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the substance is not considered a pollutant per se, as it separates into relatively harmless component elements once released into water or moist soil. Beall also stands by this expert recommendation: It just isnt good for your drains read on and lengthen the life of your homes drain system.

According to Beall, sodium hydroxide is an irritant that can burn skin and aggravate nose, throat and respiratory airways, so contact with it is best avoided. If ingested outright it will likely induce vomiting, as well as cause chest or abdominal pain and make swallowing difficultso keep it well out of the reach of children.

Mr. Rooter says, for those who would rather avoid such chemicals entirely, safer alternatives do exist. A plunger or mechanical drain snakealong with a little elbow greasecan often free up clogs as well or better than sodium hydroxide compounds. One home remedy with a proven track record is to pour a handful of baking soda mixed with a half cup of vinegar down the drain, and follow it quickly with boiling water. Although these are some basic tips for unclogging a drain, Beall says the recommended product is BioChoiceES

Trenchless Pipelining System When To Call The Trusted Pittsburgh Plumber, Mr Rooter For A Clogged Drain

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) December 10, 2012

According to Pittsburgh plumber, Mr Rooter, a clogged drain can be a stubborn hassle. Strange noises, odors and poor water flow or backflow means the homeowner has a serious plumbing problem. For a drain blockage, how do you decide whether or not you need Mr Rooters professional plumbing service?

Common causes of pipe blockages include hair clumps, greasy buildup or tree roots interfering with pipe flow, says Bob Beall, licensed master plumber and owner of Mr Rooter Plumbing Pittsburgh and Youngstown.

Beall adds, If you have problem, dont wait too long to take care of it. Backed up water can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Waiting to clean it can make the problem worse and could lead to more costly repairs in the long run.

There are many times that you can clear a clog by yourself. You can try pouring hot water and baking soda. Most homeowners use a drain cleaning liquid. Usually these products are strong enough to partially dissolve a drain blockage. Mr Rooter Plumbing recommends BioChoiceEs, thegreen-friendly solution for healthy drain maintenance.

This may not end the problem, says Beall, because most drain cleaners only dissolve away part of the blockage. If this happens, the blockage can reoccur.

TRADE SECRET: If you overuse drain cleaning liquids on a persistent clog, the chemicals can eventually damage or corrode your pipes.

Whether you have a stubborn problem or not, its a good idea to try to find out what is causing your clog. Be careful with the materials you let go down the drain. Installing a sink strainer will stop waste products from entering the pipes.

Some stoppages, such as those caused by or tree roots, require the skills and tools of a plumber with the most innovative trenchless pipelining system available through Mr Rooter Plumbing.

When a drain wont clear with chemicals, or a clog in your sink or tub keeps recurring, then you may really need to call the most referred and trusted Pittsburgh plumbing specialist, Mr Rooter.

Mr Rooter Tip Of The Day

Tip #1 To rod a drain line, it will be necessary to find and open a cleanout closest to the clog.

Tip #2 Very carefully and slowly open a small crack to see if there is any fluid underneath. If none, remove the plug.

Tip #3 Insert a sewer tape into the line.

Tip #4 Rent a high-powered rodding machine (very expensive by the hour and extremely aggressive to operate). A rodding machine will send a cutter head into the line. A foot switch (inset) is mandatory for safe operation. This procedure may take two men to operate, at best.

Tip #5 If you are successful in clearing the main sewer line inside of your home or business, run a hose in the line full force for several minutes. This requires the pressure of your water to be reasonably high professional plumbers use a Hydrojetting machine especially for this purpose. Video inspection is also available to investigate the sewer line from your cleanout to the street where the sewer connects to either the septic tank or the municipal service.

WHAT CAN GO WRONG: After following Bealls expert plumbing advice with no success in unclogging your sewer drain the problem most likely is between your house/business drain and the street. We offer a free second opinion on any plumbing repair service including residential and commercial emergency plumbing repair.

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The Mr Rooter Trenchless Pipelining System is the alternative to digging and replacing sewer lines for residential and commercial properties. This technology eliminates root intrusion, repairs broken pipes and stops the inflow of sub-surface ground water.

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Mr. Rooter Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency drain cleaning services: Call 877-ROOTER-2 and a licensed Mr. Rooter plumber will be dispatched to your home or business immediately.

Beall s goal is to provide affordable costs to homeowners for any of the services they may need, many of which might occur unexpectedly. Mr Rooter coupons help to achieve this goal, as well as expert plumbing advice offered daily to homeowners. Mr Rooter prides itself on excellent customer service. Fast, courteous and front line services is what you should expect. We guarantee that is what you will get and our customers always know the price before we start.

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Pittsburgh Plumber, Mr Rooter Says Legionella Deaths at VA Hospital Could Have Been Prevented

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) December 14, 2012

Mr Rooter Tip of The Day: Designing, installing, operating, and maintaining plumbing systems to minimize Legionella bacteria is key to reducing risk of disease.

Based on currently available knowledge and technology, minimizing Legionella bacteria in water systems is the primary means of prevention, says Bob Beall, licensed master plumber and owner of Mr Rooter Plumbing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. According to data collected by Nelli Black and Drew Griffin, CNN, twenty-nine patients at the Veterans Administration hospital in Pittsburgh have been diagnosed with Legionnaires disease since December 2011.

It is not surprising that plumbing systems are implicated in a significant number of Legionnaires outbreaks they provide a good habitat for Legionella, warns Beall. Designing, installing, operating, and maintaining plumbing systems to minimize Legionella bacteria is key to reducing risk of disease.

In the United States, Legionaires disease is a reportable disease by law to the local public health department and the CDC. Most health departments will not do a follow-up unless many patients contract the illness, according to Victor L. Yu, MD, Professor of Medicine, Unviersity of Pittsburgh; Chief, Infectious Disease Section, VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. According to CNN, the facility became aware of the deadly situation approximately one year ago and failed to report the airborne pathogen until early November 2012.

According to the mission statement provided by HC Information Resources Inc., Matt Freije, founder and president, provides information and consulting services to protect health and life by reducing the risk of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens. In agreement with Beall, a trusted Pittsburgh plumber, it is morally and ethically necessary when many of these deaths could be prevented because, unlike most pneumonias, the source (e.g., a hot-water system) of Legionnaires cases can be identified. But if Legionella is not recognized as the cause, no investigation ensues to pinpoint and disinfect the source, so the same source remains a threat. Anderson Cooper, CNN, reported Wednesday night that Tory Schira, of LiquiTech Environmental Solutions referred to the outbreak as inexplicable, stating that the hospital knew it had a problem, was warned about it and did not fix it.

Legionnaires disease acquired its name in July 1976 when an outbreak of pneumonia occurred among people attending a convention of the American Legion at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia. On January 18, 1977 the causative agent was identified as a previously unknown strain of bacteria, subsequently named Legionella. Some people can be infected with the Legionella bacteria and have only mild symptoms or no illness at all. It has been reported that a VA spokesman David Cowgill would not agree to an interview. Instead, he released media advisories, one of which concluded: VA is committed to providing safe facilities and quality care for veterans.

Mr Rooter Plumbing Pittsburgh, according to Beall, understands and implements Legionella-preventive designs and specifications, not only for the moral obligation to protect health and life, but to reduce legal risk. If you design a plumbing system for a building that is implicated in a case of Legionnaires disease, you may be sued by the person who got sick, or by his or her family if the case is fatal, says Beall.

Legionellae can grow in a home plumbing system although most cases have been traced to large buildings. The plumbing system (via showers and faucets), whirlpool spas and bathtubs, and humidifiers present a potential risk of legionellae exposure in homes. These units are impossible to clean as they have internal piping that are prone to biofilm production, according to Beall. The preventable disease is contracted by inhaling airborne water droplets containing legionellae.

Commercial and home units alike need to be cleaned with Sodium Hypochlorite (bleach) at a pH of 5-6 so as to maximize the oxidation process. This cleaning process is beyond the capability of a homeowner, janitor, general plumber or the appliance vendor because poisonous chlorine fumes will be generated. Some debate offers that the homeowner can filter the water before it comes into the house and possibly turn the temperature up on the hot water tank, (which could lead to a void in the warranty if setting the thermostat beyond 120