Minnesota - May 2015 Archives

Use caution when considering anticoagulants, especially for older adults PHOENIX — If you are over age 75, and taking an anticoagulant, the old standard may be the gold standard, Mayo Clinic researchers and collaborators have determined. In a study released online in April in the BMJ, a team of researchers from Mayo Clinic, and other collaborators, showed that for older patients, particularly individuals greater than 75 years of age,  the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is 3 to 5 times higher when taking newer anticoagulant medications dabigatran or rivaroxaban compared to when using warfarin. One of the most common reasons people take anticoagulant medication – which lessens the blood’s tendency to clot – is to reduce potential or severity of clotting complications in patients with atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism. People with atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism have a much higher risk of strokes, heart attacks and clots in the lungs and legs, which can result in disability or death. MEDIA CONTACT: Jim McVeigh, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 480-301-4222, Email: mcveigh.jim@mayo.edu

ROCHESTER Minn. – Mayo Clinic today announced that fundraising associated with the VICE documentary “Killing Cancer,” which aired on HBO earlier this year, has exceeded $2 million. This achievement was reached a month earlier than anticipated. The Killing Cancer campaign also set a record at Mayo Clinic with 30 percent of gifts received online, compared to 10 percent for previous campaigns. Many of the gifts came from new supporters to Mayo Clinic a reflection the younger demographics of the VICE audience and VICE’s strong digital presence. “The money raised in the Killing Cancer campaign will have impact right away, helping advance cancer research and finding cures for patients,” said John Noseworthy, M.D., Mayo Clinic president and CEO. The success of the campaign was due in large part to a fundraising match challenge issued by VICE founder and CEO Shane Smith with a total goal of $2 million. Through the challenge, Mr. Smith matched the first $1 million in gifts made by more than 10,000 documentary viewers and loyal Mayo Clinic supporters. MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Dangor, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu

ROCHESTER, Minn. — When people think of kids and trauma, they often think about car accidents. “However, in reality, falls are the leading cause of childhood injury and most of them happen around the home,” says Christopher Moir, M.D., pediatric surgeon at Mayo Clinic Children's Center, who has cared for a wide variety of injuries related to falls. There are approximately 8,000 children treated in emergency rooms for falls every day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At Mayo Clinic’s Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, 35 percent of the children cared for in 2014 were the result of a fall. Falls can happen anywhere but some of the most common mechanisms for kids’ falls are from playground equipment, off changing tables, off infant seats placed on high surfaces, from baby walkers, out of shopping carts and out of windows. When children fall out of windows, the injuries that result are more serious than other types of falls. MEDIA CONTACT: Kelley Luckstein, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, email: newsbureau@mayo.edu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e53l54cvf6Y

Embargoed Releases. See specific embargo information for each study. MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Dangor, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic urologists will present research findings on several topics at the American Urological Association Annual Meeting May 15–19 in New Orleans. Researchers will be available to discuss their research with reporters who are covering the conference. Mayo Clinic studies to be presented include: Holmium Laser Excision of Genitourinary Mesh Exposure Following Anti-Incontinence Surgery: Minimum Six-Month Follow-up. Embargoed until Sunday, May 17, 2015 1:00 p.m. CT The polypropylene mesh implants used in some incontinence surgeries for women can erode tissue and sometimes intrude into the bladder or urethra, often causing pain, bleeding and infection. Conventional treatment requires major open surgery. Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered they can trim mesh with an endoscopic laser and remove it without having to make incisions. “Removal of mesh with old-fashioned surgery is a big surgery,” says lead author Daniel Elliott, M.D., a Mayo Clinic urologist. “We were trying to see if there is a way to get this done easier. With certain types of mesh exposures this is very effective and others it’s not. But it presents itself as a potential option for some of these people to avoid a major surgery.”

  ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic Hospitals in Rochester, Minn, and Phoenix earned the top-tier High Performing distinction in all five common care categories in the latest ratings by U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News Best Hospitals for Common Care evaluated how well more than 4,500 hospitals nationwide performed on routine individual procedures and conditions. The five areas of focus are heart bypass surgery, hip replacement, knee replacement, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure. Only about 10 percent of the hospitals were rated as high performers in any category. Mayo Clinic hospitals in Rochester and Phoenix are among fewer than 50 of more than 800 institutions that rated High Performing in all five categories. Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, earned the High Performing rating in hip replacement. Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wis., is rated High Performing in heart failure. The ratings placed hospitals into one of five performance tiers, with hospitals that performed consistently well rated highest. The two highest tiers were collapsed to a single “High Performing” tier and the two lowest were collapsed to a “Below Average” tier. Approximately 800 hospitals were rated High Performing in at least one procedure or condition. MEDIA CONTACT: Ann Schauer, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, Email: newsbureau@mayo.edu

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic campuses were recently recognized by Practice Greenhealth for its efforts in responsible environmental practices. Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wis., received the 2015 Practice Greenhealth Emerald Award for demonstrating superior sustainability programs and cross-functional excellence. A Circles of Excellence award was also received for having shown outstanding performance for commitment to preserving water. In addition to these practices, other sustainability efforts include increasing the use of cooling towers that saved 14.3 million gallons of water; restoring natural prairie habitats on the grounds around buildings to reduce watering needs; 6,400 pounds of carbon dioxide were diverted from the air by conserving energy through efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems; and 11,000 pounds of plastic and 845 pounds of cardboard were diverted from landfills through recycling. MEDIA CONTACT: Kelley Luckstein, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, email: newsbureau@mayo.edu

Mayo Clinic Researcher Explains Five Individual Categories for Treatment of Obesity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Sc_Q4ls6uk ROCHESTER, Minn. – Mayo Clinic researchers have identified five sub-categories of obesity in an effort to determine the most effective, individual treatments. More than two in three adults are considered to be overweight or obese and 17 percent of children are obese in the United States. Obesity is a costly health issue that increases the risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, among others. The prevalence of obesity continues to rise despite education and efforts around diet, exercise, and drug/surgical therapy. In response, researchers asked how the gastrointestinal system affects obesity. MEDIA CONTACT: Brian Kilen, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005 or newsbureau@mayo.edu

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Obesity is a complicating factor for many surgical patients. In a recent study published in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, Mayo Clinic researchers have shown that losing weight can have a positive impact on outcomes for lung transplant patients. In the manuscript, “Weight loss prior to lung transplantation is associated with improved survival,” Mayo Clinic researchers showed that a one unit reduction in body mass index in overweight and obese lung transplant recipients resulted in a reduced risk of death. The study also showed overweight and obese patients who lost weight spent less time on a mechanical ventilator after transplantation surgery. “We knew from past research that obesity complicates post-transplant outcomes and survival,” says Cassie Kennedy, M.D., Mayo Clinic pulmonologist and transplant researcher. “Many practices advocated delaying transplant listing for obese patients to allow for weight loss, but we didn’t know if losing weight prior to transplantation was realistic. Patients awaiting lung transplantation have functional limitations that might impede weight loss. We also did not know if weight loss before lung transplant could actually help transplant patients live longer and avoid complications. This study showed weight loss in overweight and obese patients was achievable, sustained six to 12 months post-surgery, and that these individuals had improved survival and fewer complications related to their transplant procedure.” MEDIA CONTACT: Ginger Plumbo, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, Email: newsbureau@mayo.edu

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Mayo Clinic, in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine, is planning to launch a study of 10,000 Mayo biobank members for potential risk of drug reactions or lack of drug effect based on each individual’s genome. Researchers will be sequencing the DNA of the biobank members for 69 different genes that can influence how patients’ metabolize or react to different drugs. The goal is to determine which “pharmacogenomic” findings are relevant to that individual patient and to insert that information into their medical records – providing an “early warning system” to prevent adverse drug reactions or ineffective treatments. “This is a huge step toward bringing knowledge of pharmacogenomics into patient care,” says Richard Weinshilboum, M.D., Pharmacogenomics Program Director at Mayo Clinic’s Center for Individualized Medicine and the Mary Lou and John H. Dasburg Professor of Cancer Genomics. “Most importantly, it has the potential of preventing errors and identifying the most appropriate drugs and individualized treatments for thousands of patients – thanks to research on the human genome.” Media Contact: Bob Nellis at Mayo Clinic Public Affairs: 507-284-5005 or newsbureau@mayo.edu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYmpX8L2as4&feature=youtu.be   ROCHESTER, Minn. -- With Mother’s Day being May 10 and May being Women’s Health Month, Mayo Clinic offers expert guidance on fertility and conception. Mayo Clinic expert Jani Jensen, M.D. is available to talk about the latest research and provide expert guidance for reporters writing articles on women’s health and fertility and conception. Dr. Jensen is a Mayo specialist in the division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and co-director of the In Vitro Fertilization Program at Mayo Clinic. She is co-author of the recently released Mayo Clinic Guide to Fertility and Conception. The comprehensive book provides answers and explanations for nearly every aspect of achieving a successful pregnancy. It covers lifestyle and nutrition, the intricacies of natural conception, common fertility problems, the latest medical treatments to help (including intrauterine insemination, in-vitro fertilization and donors), and information on special situations (fertility preservation, choosing single parenthood, same-sex couples and more).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUFmPlKqJXY Time lapsed video of construction WHAT: Mayo Clinic is hosting a grand opening event for the Richard O. Jacobson Building, home to the Mayo Clinic proton beam therapy program. The new facility will begin treating patients in late June. Reporters will have a chance to tour the facility, take photos and video and interview experts. Information on proton beam therapy:  http://www.mayoclinic.org/proton-beam-therapy/about-proton-therapy Information on Mayo Clinic proton beam therapy program: http://www.mayoclinic.org/proton-beam-therapy/our-program WHERE: Richard O. Jacobson Building, 190 2nd Street NW, Rochester, Minn.  WHEN: Saturday, May 9, 2015 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. WHO: Interviews available with Robert Foote, M.D., chair, Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Sameer Keole, M.D., medical director, medical director of Mayo Clinic's Proton Beam Therapy Program.     RSVP:  Maureen Wegner, wegner.maureen@mayo.edu, 507-293-3677 MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Dangor, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu Learn more about Proton Beam Therapy in this video report.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic transplant researchers will present findings from nearly 20 studies at the American Transplant Congress in Philadelphia, Penn., May 2-5. Mayo Clinic is nationally recognized for research and clinical success in transplantation, and performs over 1,000 solid organ transplants each year. Researchers will share findings from the following late-breaking studies at the American Transplant Congress: “Burden of Early Antibody-Mediated Rejection (AMR): Complications, Resource Utilization and Cost Differential in Treatment of AMR” This study examined the connection between early AMR (a situation following transplant surgery in which the body begins to reject the donor organ) and clinical complications, hospital resource utilization and related costs. An examination of 48 adult patients with AMR found those who were diagnosed with early AMR experienced higher rates of complications, almost double the number of hospital days and surgical procedures, and significantly higher post-transplant health care costs. Mayo Clinic researchers involved in this study include Ramandeep Banga, MBBS, Carrie Schinstock, M.D., Matthew Hathcock, Walter Kremers, Ph.D., and Mark Stegall, M.D. Presentation Date: May 2, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EDT MEDIA CONTACT: Ginger Plumbo, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, Email: newsbureau@mayo.edu.