Hidden Time Bombs:
Methodist Researchers Work to Diffuse Vulnerable Plaques B Y
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F A I R C H I L D
Death is often the first sign of heart disease. Seemingly out of the blue, a friend or loved one will have a massive, deadly heart attack. Without symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue — common telltale signs of an impending heart attack — many patients are unable to foresee the tragedy. Researchers at the Methodist DeBakey Heart Center and The Methodist Hospital Research Institute (TMHRI) are working to understand how this phenomenon occurs. Interventional cardiologists Dr. Juan Granada and Dr. Albert Raizner are conducting research to uncover why atherosclerotic plaques, which build up inside the arteries, can cause anything from small heart attacks to massive heart attacks and sudden death. “Many people have blockages in their arteries due to the buildup of plaques,” Granada said. “Some of those plaques are benign, but some may become very dangerous. The challenge is to determine which ones are vulnerable to rupture and cause deadly events.”
Dr. Juan Granada 6 䡲 VOLUME 4, NUMBER 2
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