Dr. Kander studies the assessment and treatment of heart conditions, specifically focusing on methods to evaluate heart function after treatments for heart attacks and the use of medication for unstable angina. He explores how certain medical scans can overestimate heart damage in patients recovering from heart attacks, helping to refine care strategies. Additionally, his research evaluates the effects of the drug tissue plasminogen activator to improve heart function in patients suffering from unstable angina caused by blocked arteries.
Key findings
In a study on heart scans, 42% of patients with significant defects still showed normal heart performance, indicating that the scans may overstate heart damage.
Patients treated with tissue plasminogen activator had their heart rate threshold for ischemia increase from 112 beats per minute to 127 beats per minute, compared to no change for those given a placebo.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Kander study heart attacks?
Yes, Dr. Kander focuses on improving assessments and treatments for patients recovering from heart attacks.
What treatments has Dr. Kander researched?
He has researched tissue plasminogen activator for unstable angina, which helps improve blood flow in patients with chest pain caused by blocked blood vessels.
Is Dr. Kander's work relevant to patients with unstable angina?
Yes, his research directly examines treatments for unstable angina, particularly the effectiveness of medications that address this condition.
Publications in plain English
Submaximal exercise thallium-201 SPECT for assessment of interventional therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
1991
American heart journal
Stewart RE, Kander N, Juni JE, Ellis SG, O'Neill WW +3 more
Plain English The study looked at a specific heart scan (thallium-201 SPECT) used after patients have treatment for a heart attack. It found that while larger defects seen in the scans often indicated worse heart function later, 42% of patients with major defects still had normal heart performance, suggesting the scan might overstate heart damage. This research is important because it helps identify which patients are at risk of their blocked arteries closing again after treatment.
Who this helps: This benefits patients recovering from heart attacks and their doctors by improving the assessment of treatment effectiveness.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of tissue plasminogen activator in unstable angina.
1989
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Nicklas JM, Topol EJ, Kander N, O'Neill WW, Walton JA +3 more
Plain English This study examined the effects of a medication called tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) on patients with unstable angina, a type of chest pain caused by poor blood flow to the heart. Researchers found that patients receiving rt-PA experienced a significant increase in their heart rate threshold for ischemia (a lack of blood flow) from 112 beats per minute to 127 beats per minute, while those on a placebo showed no significant change. This is important because it suggests that rt-PA may improve heart function in patients with blood clots in their coronary arteries.
Who this helps: This helps patients with unstable angina, particularly those with blood clots in their coronary arteries.