Research

        Fallout: The blood clot that causes a heart attack may not act alone, according to a three-dimensional ultrasound study.

        About 80 percent of patients recovering from a first heart attack have unstable plaque some distance from arterial blockages, says a study in the July 22 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

        French researchers believe their study is the first to use intravascular ultrasound to get 3-D pictures inside the three major coronary arteries during the month following a major event.

        After an an acute episode such as heart attack or severe chest pain, there is a high risk of another event within a year. Blood clots are pieces of arterial plaque that break off from arterial walls.

        Previous research has documented a surge in plaque buildup in the inner lining of arteries (atherosclerosis) after heart attack or other coronary episodes.

        Four out of five patients studied showed one or more ruptured areas where plaque had built up in arteries, besides the lesion that caused their heart attack, said lead author Dr. Gilles Rioufol, associate professor of hemodynamics at the Cardiologic Hospital, Hospices Civils in Lyon, France.

        Researchers hope their findings will lead to new diagnostic or screening tools. If doctors could diagnose vulnerable lesions before they rupture, such information could help prevent future heart attacks, researchers said.

Shelf help

        Spirit: Yoga: The Poetry of the Body (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Griffin; $21.95) by Rodney Yee combines dialogue on the spiritual aspects of yoga with “how-to” information on popular poses.

Calendar

        Exhibit: “The Best Start Under the Sun” interactive exhibit on choosing a healthy breakfast starts Thursday at the Cincinnati Museum Center Union Terminal. The exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Museum Center and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden.

        Program: David Shenk, author of The Forgetting — Alzheimer's: Portrait of an Epidemic(Doubleday; $24.95) will present an educational program for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients at 7 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Alois Alzheimer Center in Greenhills. A book signing will follow. Reservations: Kristi Long, 605-1000.

        Symposium: The Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association will hold its Summer Symposium at the Westin Hotel Sept. 6 downtown. The symposium will feature 15 workshops on research, caregiving and service provision and diagnostics and assessment. A parallel conference on Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's disease is also scheduled. Cost: $100. Reservations: Marlene Scholl, 721-4284.

Siting

        Click: Still working on adding fruits and veggies to your menu? Check out 5aday.nci.nih.gov, the home page for the National Cancer Institute's 5 A Day for Better Health campaign.

        Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone: 768-8510; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: pofarrell@enquirer.com.

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