Dr. Sasseen studies how certain drugs and interventions can help treat heart-related issues, particularly in heart transplant patients and individuals with narrowed arteries after stent placement. He examines the effectiveness of medications, like atorvastatin, in reducing cholesterol and preventing blood vessel damage. He also analyzes how procedural choices, such as whether to remove plaque from arteries before treatment, can impact patient health.
Key findings
Patients taking atorvastatin after heart transplant developed, on average, 2.5 new or worsening artery lesions, compared to 4.2 lesions in those not taking the drug.
In the START trial, 32.7% of patients who underwent plaque removal prior to intracoronary beta-radiation experienced restenosis, while only 23.5% had this issue when treated with just balloon angioplasty.
Use of high-dose sirolimus in stents led to a 45% reduction in artery narrowing, indicating its effectiveness in keeping arteries open after stenting.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Sasseen study heart transplant patients?
Yes, he researches how medications can improve long-term health outcomes for heart transplant recipients.
What treatments has Dr. Sasseen researched?
He has studied atorvastatin for cholesterol management in heart transplant patients and the effectiveness of sirolimus-eluting stents for artery narrowing.
Is Dr. Sasseen's work relevant to patients with stents?
Absolutely, his research on debulking procedures and sirolimus stents directly impacts patients with stents and those facing restenosis.
Publications in plain English
Debulking does not benefit patients undergoing intracoronary beta-radiation therapy for in-stent restenosis: insights from the START trial.
2003
Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions : official journal of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & Interventions
Bass TA, Gilmore P, Zenni M, Sasseen B, Savage M +4 more
Plain English This research studied whether removing plaque from arteries before treating patients with in-stent restenosis (a common issue where arteries narrow after stent placement) improves outcomes. The study involved 681 patients and found that those who underwent plaque removal before radiation had a higher rate of restenosis (32.7%) compared to those who only had balloon angioplasty (23.5%), and there was an increase in mortality among patients who had plaque removal. Overall, the findings show that debulking does not help and may even be harmful for patients treated with intracoronary beta-radiation.
Who this helps: This helps patients with in-stent restenosis and their doctors by clarifying that plaque removal prior to certain treatments is not beneficial.
Effect of atorvastatin on postcardiac transplant increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduces development of intimal hyperplasia and progression of endothelial dysfunction.
2003
The American journal of cardiology
See VY, DeNofrio D, Goldberg L, Chang G, Sasseen B +5 more
Plain English This study looked at whether the drug atorvastatin could help heart transplant patients by reducing cholesterol levels and preventing damage to blood vessels. Researchers found that after one year, patients taking atorvastatin had fewer new or worsening artery lesions (2.5 lesions compared to 4.2 in the control group) and less thickening of artery walls. This is important because it suggests that atorvastatin can help improve long-term health for heart transplant recipients by limiting heart disease progression.
Who this helps: This helps heart transplant patients.
Twenty-eight-day efficacy and phamacokinetics of the sirolimus-eluting stent.
2002
Coronary artery disease
Klugherz BD, Llanos G, Lieuallen W, Kopia GA, Papandreou G +5 more
Plain English This study looked at how effective sirolimus-coated stents are at preventing artery narrowing after being implanted in rabbits. It found that low-dose sirolimus reduced artery narrowing by 23%, while high-dose sirolimus achieved a 45% reduction. This is important because it shows that using different amounts of sirolimus can help keep arteries clear after stenting, which could improve outcomes for patients undergoing this procedure.
Who this helps: Patients with cardiovascular issues requiring stent implantation.