The medical advances in heart valve disease research result in clinical highs and clinical lows. Unfortunately, this was one of the lows, as reported yesterday…

According to the Associated Press, Schering-Plough Corp. and Merck & Co.’s cholesterol drug Vytorin doesn’t lower the risk of major heart valve problems (specifically [1] aortic valve stenosis) and the need for related surgical procedures, according to a large-scale study.

The drug was no better than placebo at lowering the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients suffering from a condition that blocks blood flow to part of the heart. The study, called SEAS, involved 1,873 patients spread throughout several countries with aortic stenosis, a condition in which blood flow to the heart is blocked.

Vytorin also failed to meet a secondary goal of improving aortic valve disease events, which included [2] aortic valve replacement surgery, hospitalization because of heart failure, and death related to heart.

Fortunately, however, Vytorin did meet the other secondary goal of reducing atherosclerotic disease, in which plaque builds up and blocks an artery. Events included in the study assessment were nonfatal heart attacks, the need for bypass surgery, and strokes.

You know what they say, “Two steps forward, one step back.”

Keep on tickin!

[3] To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.