Emory
Cardiologist Nanette Wenger, M.D., To Speak About Heart Disease and
Women At March 16 ACC Program
Nanette K. Wenger,
M.D., professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology for Emory
University School of Medicine, and chief of cardiology at Grady Memorial
Hospital, will address cardiologists, internists, gynecologists and
other health care professionals from across the country on Saturday,
March 16. Her address will be at the Hilton Atlanta & Towers, 255 Courtland
St. in Atlanta, during the American College of Cardiology's Extramural
Program, entitled, "Heart Disease in Women: Where Are We Now? Where
Are We Going?"
The program precedes the
ACC 51st Annual Scientific Session, which begins March 18. Saturday's
program begins at 8:35 a.m. Dr. Wenger and Rita Redberg, M.D., associate
professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco,
School of Medicine, are co-directors of the program.
One of the topics slated
for discussion is the complicated issue of whether hormone replacement
therapy helps prevent heart disease in post-menopausal women – or whether
it actually ups the risk of cardiovascular problems in certain women.
"Despite biologically plausible
mechanisms for estrogen benefit and epidemiologic studies suggesting
cardiac protection, no clinical trials to date have shown postmenopausal
hormone protection," Dr. Wenger says. "Some have suggested possible
early risk. The American Heart Association Science Advisory recommends
that HRT not be initiated for secondary prevention (in women with heart
disease) and notes that data are insufficient to initiate HRT solely
for primary cardiovascular heart disease prevention (healthy women).
Decisions to continue or stop HRT should be based on non-coronary benefits
and risks and patient preference. Ongoing clinical trials may subsequently
provide compelling benefit or risk information to guide estrogen use."
During the course session,
Dr. Wenger will also discuss "Heart Disease and Women – The Magnitude
of the Problem". Objectives of the extramural program include identifying
gender differences in the pathophysiology and management of congestive
heart disease; describing the association of anorectic drugs and valvular
heart disease in women; choosing the most appropriate and efficient
evaluation to diagnose coronary artery disease in women; identifying
the indications, coronary risks, and benefits of various regimens for
hormone replacement as a coronary preventive therapy for postmenopausal
women; explaining the unique issues in management of congenital heart
disease in women; and understanding special gender considerations regarding
cardiovascular drug use in women.
The course will focus on
new and current knowledge relating to all dimensions of care for women
with cardiovascular disease.
|