New Technology Provides Early Warning for Heart Attacks

 

Researchers say they have developed technology that could predict heart attacks years before they happen.

The researchers report using mathematical algorithms to examine computed¹ tomography, or CT, images of a patient’s heart. A CT scan uses X-rays and a computer to make detailed² pictures of bones, organs and other tissue inside the body.

The new method was developed by researchers at the University of Oxford³ in England. A report on their study was published in the medical journal The Lancet. Also taking part in the study were teams from Friedrich-Alexander-University in Erlangen, Germany, and the Cleveland Clinic in the United States.

Most heart attacks result from a build-up of fatty tissue inside arteries⁴ that carry blood from the heart to other areas of the body. Too much buildup can block this flow of blood and cause a heart attack.

Currently, doctors use CT scans to learn when a sticky substance called plaque⁵ has already built up inside an artery⁶. The new technology is designed to predict which arteries are at risk for future buildup.

The researchers reported using computer algorithms to examine CT scans to measure how much fat is present around heart arteries. That fat changes when an artery becomes inflamed⁷, serving as an early warning system for heart attacks.

Charalambos Antoniades is a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Oxford University. He told the Reuters news agency he believes the research shows this method could be very effective in getting patients to take early steps to prevent future problems.

“Say your arteries are inflamed and a narrowing will be developed five years down the line. So maybe you can start preventive measures to avoid this formation of plaques,” he said.

“If you are able to identify inflammation in the arteries of the heart, then you can say which arteries...will cause heart attacks.”

Antoniades added that researchers had yet to estimate exactly how many heart attacks could be prevented. But he said he believes the technique could help identify between 20 to 30 percent of people at risk of having one.

He added that the new technology will make such predictions easier because it works together with existing CT technology.

The research was based on two large, independent studies of 4,000 patients in Erlangen, Germany, and the Cleveland Clinic.

A company with ties to Oxford University is developing a service to examine CT scans of patients around the world, Reuters reported.

I’m Bryan Lynn.

Words in This Story

algorithm – n. set of steps that are followed in order to solve a mathematical problem or to complete a computer process

scan – n. looking at the inside of something by using a special machine

artery – n. one of the tubes in the body that carries blood from the heart

inflammation – n. a swelling⁸ of part of the body

narrow – v. to limit, restrict or make smaller

1 computed   

adj.[医]计算的，使用计算机的v.计算，估算( compute的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He computed that the project would take seven years to complete. 他估计这项计划要花七年才能完成。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Resolving kernels and standard errors can also be computed for each block. 还可以计算每个块体的分辨核和标准误差。 来自辞典例句

2 detailed   

adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。

3 Oxford   

n.牛津（英国城市）

参考例句：

• At present he has become a Professor of Chemistry at Oxford.他现在已是牛津大学的化学教授了。
• This is where the road to Oxford joins the road to London.这是去牛津的路与去伦敦的路的汇合处。

4 arteries   

n.动脉( artery的名词复数 )；干线，要道

参考例句：

• Even grafting new blood vessels in place of the diseased coronary arteries has been tried. 甚至移植新血管代替不健康的冠状动脉的方法都已经试过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This is the place where the three main arteries of West London traffic met. 这就是伦敦西部三条主要交通干线的交汇处。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 plaque   

n.饰板，匾，(医)血小板

参考例句：

• There is a commemorative plaque to the artist in the village hall.村公所里有一块纪念该艺术家的牌匾。
• Some Latin words were engraved on the plaque. 牌匾上刻着些拉丁文。

6 artery   

n.干线，要道；动脉

参考例句：

• We couldn't feel the changes in the blood pressure within the artery.我们无法感觉到动脉血管内血压的变化。
• The aorta is the largest artery in the body.主动脉是人体中的最大动脉。

7 inflamed   

adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• His comments have inflamed teachers all over the country. 他的评论激怒了全国教师。
• Her joints are severely inflamed. 她的关节严重发炎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 swelling   

n.肿胀

参考例句：

• Use ice to reduce the swelling. 用冰敷消肿。
• There is a marked swelling of the lymph nodes. 淋巴结处有明显的肿块。