More than 80 cardiologists and researchers representing 22 states and eight countries gathered at Tulane University Medical Center on March 6 for the Treating to New Targets (TNT) Cardiovascular Symposium and Update. The TNT study, a joint venture between pharmaceutical companies Parke-Davis and Pfizer, is examining the effect of LDL-cholesterol lowering beyond currently recommended minimum targets through the use of the drug atorvastatin (Lipitor).
The symposium, held during the American Academy of Cardiology Conference in New Orleans, examined the progress of the TNT Study trials, which have now screened more than 8,000 patients worldwide.
According to Karen Friday, associate professor of medicine and principal investigator for the TNT study at TUMC, the five-year study promises to "impact the future treatment of individuals with heart disease."
"The TNT Study is designed to answer the major remaining questions regarding cholesterol and coronary disease - for example, does lowering cholesterol to very low levels provide additional benefit?" explained John C. LaRosa, MD, TUMC chancellor and chair of the TNT steering committee. "It is a major study being carried out all over the world and will have a significant impact on medical practice. I am very pleased that Tulane is playing such a major role in this study."
LaRosa served as host and moderator for the three-hour symposium. Presentations at the meeting included addresses by sponsor representatives Charles Shear (Pfizer), Stephanie Kafonek (Parke-Davis) and Rob Scott (Pfizer). Other presenters included renowned researchers Philip Barter (Royal Adelaide Hospital), Scott Grundy (University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center), David Waters (Hartford Hospital) and LaRosa.
Following the symposium, guests moved into the Reily Foundation Pavilion, where they were treated to a selection of traditional New Orleans dishes and a jazz reception by the appropriately titled combo, "The Heart Warmers." Joining the combo were LaRosa on the electronic keyboard, visiting cardiologist Tony Winder (Royal Free Hospital, London) on the clarinet and Judith LaRosa on vocals.
According to Friday, volunteers are still being actively recruited for the TNT study. Interested men and women between the ages of 35 and 75 with documented evidence of coronary atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease should contact TUMC study coordinator Lisette Human at (504) 988-5990. Eligible subjects will receive treatment with the drug atorvostatin (Lipitor).