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Doctors at Ascension St. Vincent’s Optimistic About Trial Drug for Atrial Fibrillation

By Keisa Sharpe-Jefferson The Birmingham Times Doctors at Ascension St. Vincent’s are continuing to enroll patients for an international clinical trial introducing a new anticoagulant — medication that decreases your blood’s ability to clot — in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AFib). The medication is for patients who cannot otherwise take blood thinner and is in the […]
The post Doctors at Ascension St. Vincent’s Optimistic About Trial Drug for Atrial Fibrillation first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

12 months ago

December 5, 2023

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By Keisa Sharpe-Jefferson

The Birmingham Times

Doctors at Ascension St. Vincent’s are continuing to enroll patients for an international clinical trial introducing a new anticoagulant — medication that decreases your blood’s ability to clot — in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AFib).

The medication is for patients who cannot otherwise take blood thinner and is in the third phase of the international trial. St. Vincent’s is the only site in Birmingham conducting it and one of only two sites in Alabama with the other in Mobile. They are still enrolling patients and will stay with them for five years of this study.

Participants in the trial in Birmingham are part of a larger group of 1,900 patients participating in Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America.

AFib is an irregular heart rhythm that begins in your heart’s upper chambers (atria) and symptoms can include fatigue, heart palpitations, trouble breathing and dizziness.

Dr. Alain Bouchard, cardiologist at Cardiology Specialists of Birmingham and principal investigator for the trial said the study is important because Afib is increasingly “prevalent.”

The effects of AFib are simple, he said. “Patients have these palpitations [with AFib], because the heart is not well coordinated… It’s erratic and sometimes it can beat very fast. Most patients will feel their heart racing or feel their heart skipping.”

And that’s not all. Not only can it lead to blood clots in the heart, there’s increased risk of stroke, heart failure and other complications, he said.

“We’re talking about a condition that as the population continues to age, the prevalence continues to increase,” he continued. “Currently, we have almost six million people with a problem with AFib and it’s projected to be 12 million by 2030.”

“It’s a very common condition with a lot of consequences and the number one consequence is stroke. If you have AFib, it increases your risk of stroke five times compared to the normal population.”

Some AFib patients have no symptoms. Others experience, either intermittently or persistently, increased heart rates, shortness of breath or light-headedness. The condition isn’t life-threatening, but doctors strongly urge patients to seek medical attention to prevent more health problems.

While traditional anticoagulants are administered orally, approved participants in the 18-month study, who make monthly clinic visits, are administered the new trial drug – Abelacimab – via injection.

Doctors hope Abelacimab – will suppress a protein in the blood called Factor XI (Factor Eleven) while it could help patients gain protection against a stroke with less chance of bleeding. Research is still ongoing, but so far, scientists say the results are promising in trial participants.

Participating in the study

Trial participants are chosen after completing initial assessments, are 65 or older and are not currently being treated with an oral anticoagulant either by personal choice or at the recommendation of their doctor.

Results are monitored in two groups, Bouchard said.

“We give a monthly injection under the skin. One group will receive the medication (Abelacimab) and the other group will receive a placebo. We will monitor the patients very carefully on a monthly basis to see if the treated group will have less strokes.”

Measuring effective treatment

Some traditional lines of treatment have had minimal effect on preventing stroke, said the cardiologist.

“For patients with AFib, aspirin has a minimal role in the prevention of stroke. And if you have hypertension and diabetes and you have AFib, aspirin would not lower your stroke risk.”

But, Dr. Bouchard said current medications have shown more promise. “The new anticoagulants like Eliquis and Xarelto could reduce your risk of stroke to less than one percent, so this is quite significant.”

The study involving the new AFib medication will continue to grow as research coordinators plan to enroll 15,000 patients worldwide.

As promising as the results from phase 2 of the clinical trial have been, Bouchard said they are continuing to enroll patients in this large, multicenter, phase 3 clinical study and hope to complete it within the next two years.

To learn more about AFib, visit https://myheart.net/.

To learn more about the study or to participate, call 205-212-6031 (office) or 205-677-5218 (24-hour line).

This article originally appeared in The Birmingham Times.

The post Doctors at Ascension St. Vincent’s Optimistic About Trial Drug for Atrial Fibrillation first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org