Thursday, October 14, 2010

New Research Associated with Gulf War Illness, Low Level Nerve Agents, Cardiac Damage

Full Article at: Low-Dose Exposure to Chemical Warfare Agent May Result in Long-Term Heart Damage

ScienceDaily (Oct. 14, 2010) — New research has found that the pattern of heart dysfunction with sarin exposure in mice resembles that seen in humans. Sarin is a chemical warfare agent belonging to class of compounds called organophosphates -- the basis for insecticides, herbicides and nerve agents. As an inhibitor of the nervous system enzyme acetylcholinesterase, sarin can cause convulsions, stoppage of breathing and death.

Aiming to determine the delayed cardiac effects of sarin, researchers studied mice injected with sarin -- at doses too low to produce visible symptoms -- 10 weeks after the exposure.

"The two-month period was used to simulate the late onset effect of sarin/nerve agents in gulf war veterans," said Mariana Morris, director of the research program. "There are suggestions that gulf war illness; in which symptoms are long-lasting, may be related to exposure to low-dose chemical warfare agents."

Cardiac damage detected in sarin-exposed mice at 10 weeks, but not earlier, included:

* Left ventricular dilation, meaning the heart's left ventricle is larger.
* Prolonged ventricular repolarization, an electrical conduction anomaly that could lead to heart rhythm abnormalities.
* Reduction in contractility, the extent of ventricular contraction and hence the amount of blood pumped from the ventricle when it contracts.

"These results have implications for the military in times of conflict and for civilian populations in cases of environmental or occupational exposure," Morris said.

The research is being presented at the American Heart Association's High Blood Pressure Research 2010 Scientific Sessions, being held in Washington, D.C., Oct. 13-16, 2010.

VAOIG, Investigation Central IT Office, FOIA Required

Administrative Investigation Improper Locality Rate of Pay Office of Information & Technology VA Central Office

Report Number 10-02858-07, 10/14/2010 | Restricted - Contact our FOIA office for assistance

VAOIG, Incorrect Ultrasound Report, Failure to Document Patient Pain Assessments

Report Summary, Report Number 10-03313-08, 10/14/2010

Healthcare Inspection Quality of Care Issues St. Louis VA Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri and Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The OIG conducted an inspection to determine the validity of allegations by a patient regarding quality of care at the St. Louis VA Medical Center, John Cochran Division, St. Louis, MO. Although we did not substantiate the allegation, we did identify aspects of care needing improvement. We recommended that the Minneapolis VA Health Care System Director of Radiology and Chief of Staff correct the medical record and disclose to the patient the facts surrounding an incorrect 2009 ultrasound report. We also recommended that St. Louis VA Medical Center staff document patient pain assessments as required.