Heart Gene Study participants are willing, plentiful

Families with a history of heart disease have responded in large numbers to the heart gene study being conducted by Dr. Michael A. Breiner, a retired cardiothoractic and vascular surgeon from Lincoln.

In McCook, approximately 50 people gathered Saturday for an introductory presentation by Dr. Breiner at Community Hospital.

"I started my presentation at 9 a.m. and this lasted until approximately 10 minutes to 10. Nearly every person stayed there and we continued to ask and answer questions until 12:15. Overall, I think we were extremely successful," Dr. Breiner said.

The next step in the project is the drawing of blood samples for DNA analysis by the University of San Francisco Medical School. Blood will be drawn Saturday, Aug. 17. Patients should present themselves at Community Hospital in McCook at 7:30 a.m. and Cambridge Memorial Hospital at 8 a.m. The study participants should fast from 8 p.m. Friday night, Aug. 16, until the time of the blood draw. During the fasting period, it is OK to drink water, black coffee, tea or fruit juice, the doctor said.

In advance of the testing, Dr. Breiner said it would be helpful for patients to call Eileen Johnson at the Cambridge hospital (308-697-3329, ext. 124) or Pat Messinger or Renee Williams at Community Hospital (308-345-8344).

These are the nurses who will be working with patients in relationship to the drawing of blood and the filling out of appropriate documents. "It would be helpful if we knew approximately how many people are going to show up," he said. Also, Dr. Breiner pointed out it would speed up the process if documents are completed ahead of time.

Dr. Breiner will be present at Community Hospital in McCook from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 17, and then he will go to Cambridge Memorial Hospital from 9 to 10 a.m. "Hopefully, I will be able to meet patients and answer any questions they have at that time," he said.

The testing is known as the California-Nebraska Heart Gene Project.

Candidates for admission to the genetic testing for coronary prone families may be males or females who, at age 59 or younger, experienced a myocardial infarction. This includes male or female patients who, at age 59 or younger, required treatment for known atherosclerotic cardiac disease, It also includes those who who have had coronary angiograms, balloon dilatation, stent placement and/or coronary artery bypass surgery.

Other members of coronary prone families eligible for evaluation would be brothers and sisters of the persons described above, as well as the children and grandchildren of the test-eligible group.

The cost for participants? "Nothing but time," Dr. Breiner said.

A second blood draw is planned on the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving. The second draw was scheduled because a significant number of patients from both McCook and Cambridge expressed concern that they might not be able to get their entire family to these areas for the blood draw. By scheduling a second blood draw on the weekend following Thanksgiving, Dr. Breiner said they hope to be able to include the family members who are home for the holidays.