News reports recently explained the results of a study that found heart failure patients treated with hypothermic therapy, or cooling of the body, saved approximately 10 to 15 percent of patients who then did not suffer from brain damage, a common side effect that occurs during a heart failure incident.



The therapy has been used since the late 1950's "but was subsequently abandoned because of uncertain benefit and difficulties with its use," according to a 2003 report on the therapy from the American Heart Association (AHA). Currently, the state of New York is attempting to bring the therapy to all hospitals within the state, but the implementation of the therapy is being met with some hostility due to costs and lack of medical equipment at smaller hospitals based in poorer areas of the state.

Cooling Treatment for Cardiac Patients

According to The New York Times, therapeutic hypothermia is "believed to reduce the chances of brain damage and increase the chances of survival, even if it means bypassing the emergency rooms," however, "only those cardiac arrest patients revived enough to show a pulse and whose heart problems are not associated with some other trauma are eligible for the cooling treatment."

Studies from both the American Heart Association and The New England Journal of Medicine have boasted the therapies' usefulness finding "55 percent of the patients who received the cooling treatment ended up with moderate or no brain damage, compared with 39 percent who received standard treatment."

Heart Failure Causes

There are an array of heart failure causes including the following, according to the American Heart Association:

* coronary artery disease

* past heart attacks

* high blood pressure

* abnormal heart valves

* heart muscle disease

* inflammation

* congenital heart disease

* severe lung disease

* diabetes

* severe anemia

* hyperthyroidism

* arrhythmia/dysrhythmia

Additionally, there is a unique and unintended side effect associated with the consumption of a type 2 diabetes drug, Avandia, which has been found to increase the risk of heart failure and heart damage among patients.

In a New England Journal of Medicine article from 2007, Avandia (rosiglitazone) was found to be the cause of heart failure among patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also issued a health public safety advisory on the drug's side effects, which also includes the onset of a early osteoporosis among patients and the increased risk of bone loss among women patients.

To learn more about the Avandia dangers it may be necessary to locate a medical professional as well as to contact an experienced pharmaceutical attorney who can offer a free legal consultation as to the potential development of an Avandia class action lawsuit, which may increase the chances for earning monetary compensation to pay for the damages endured by the Avandia side effects.