UB's Mini Medical School, which provides an opportunity for non-medical students to sit in on a variety of topic lectures, kicked off its lecture series this past Tuesday with a speech devoted to cardiology that included symptoms, treatment and prevention of heart disease.
The lecture was the first of four scheduled for every Tuesday through Nov. 14.
According to Dr. John Bell-Thompson, clinical assistant professor in surgery, Western New York shows a greater instance of heart disease than anywhere else in the country.
"Western New York has the highest instance of cardiovascular disease," he said. "The diet of chicken wings and pizza is probably a factor."
Bell-Thompson explained the surgical techniques involved in stopping heart disease before it kills, supplementing his presentation with videos of heart operations and a question-and-answer session.
In the 1950s, surgeons used a tool that was a combination between a thimble and a knife to "poke around the heart to force valves open." In modern times, he said, tissue valves made from pigs and cows replace faulty human valves.
He also described the problems with performing coronary bypass surgeries before the introduction of induced cardiac arrest.
"It was like trying to sew together two pieces of wet spaghetti while it's moving," Bell-Thompson said.
Since then, the heart and lung pump machine has provided surgeons with the choice of performing "on pump" or "off pump" surgeries, according to Bell-Thompson, discussing the pros and cons of each.
Even though the "off pump" method lessens the risk of nerve and brain damage, most surgeons still favor "on pump" operations, he said.
"The 'off pump' technique makes a huge difference," Bell-Thompson said. "Hopefully my colleagues will come to that realization in time."
Because there is a strong correlation between time and mortality rates, Bell-Thompson stressed the importance of quick, effective surgical procedures to Mini Med students.
"If you lose a big enough chunk of your heart, that's how you die," he said.
Registrants were able to watch coronary bypass and valvular heart disease surgeries in real time, courtesy of "somewhat graphic" operating room videos. The films were accompanied by Bell-Thompson's play-by-play commentary and explanations of each step.
"It was really intense," said Erica Acosta, a senior Spanish major.
For Seng Wong, a junior biology major, the videos were the highlight of the lecture.
"It gives people a chance to see what he's talking about. Not everyone can have a chance to be in an operating room, and Dr. Bell-Thompson made the connections," Wong said.
Acosta felt that the lecture was interesting even without the visualizations.
"It wasn't something you would want to leave early from to go home. It catches your attention," she said.
For Berger, this is exactly the purpose she had intended for the school.
"One of my goals is to promote Mini Medical School to UB undergraduates considering careers in health care," she said. "It's a great opportunity to meet faculty and get a sense of what might lie ahead if they pursue their dreams. We offer special discounted tuition for students."
The school is also an educational tool for students who may not be looking into a career in medicine but have a general interest. Both Acosta and Wong are planning on attending the remaining Mini-Med sessions.
"I'll only learn more. There are so many ideas and different points of view," Wong said. "No matter what, you learn something."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
