Originally published January 22 2006
Researchers single out genetic indicator in transplant candidates
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Doctors at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center have bypassed the need for invasive surgery to test the status of heart transplant candidates. Now they can administer a blood test for gene-expression, called AlloMap™ molecular expression testing, to safely and easily test the recipients of foreign organs.
A simple blood test may detect whether a chronic heart transplant patient is rejecting their heart, and may reduce the need for invasive heart-muscle biopsies, according to the results of a multi-center study called CARGO (Cardiac Allograft Rejection Gene Expression Observational Study), led by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center and to be published in the December 19 The American Journal of Transplantation.
The findings describe a new methodology that may impact the way heart transplant patients are treated.
This snapshot represents a profile of 20 genes representing molecular pathways in white blood cells that were found to be associated with heart transplant (allograft) rejection, and control genes.
The AlloMap test in this study appeared to distinguish patients who were rejecting their heart from those who were not.
He is director of cardiac transplantation research at Columbia University Medical Center, assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and attending cardiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia.
AlloMap molecular expression testing is a service provided by XDx through its clinical laboratory, which is CLIA- (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) certified to perform AlloMap testing for heart transplant patients nationwide.
It provides state-of-the art inpatient, ambulatory and preventive care in all areas of medicine at five major centers: New York-Presbyterian hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, the Allen Pavilion, and the Westchester Division.
It consistently ranks as one of the top hospitals in the country in U.S. News & World Report's guide to "America's Best Hospitals."
Columbia University Medical Center provides international leadership in pre-clinical and clinical research, in medical and health sciences education, and in patient care.
The medical center trains future leaders in health care and includes the dedicated work of many physicians, scientists, nurses, dentists, and public health professionals at the College of Physicians & Surgeons, the School of Dental & Oral Surgery, the School of Nursing, the Mailman School of Public Health, the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied research centers and institutions.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml