News
Tuesday
Page 9
September 24, 1996
o injured!
oss toCoi
eltsin surgery draws attention
o Russian medical deficiencies
ROUS (AP) — Jin
the last man star-
at crawling.
10SCOW (AP) — The elite
clinic that will oversee Boris
Jsin’s heart bypass operation is
portrait of neglect, from the
jlopmy, unheated lobby to the
■y dogs that beg for food at the
tolis beat Miami;!door,
/ night as theKs«G 00t i medicine requires big
natchup of unbeam e y, and we don’t have it,” says
'ame of attrition. Bjung emergency room doctor
Iphins' Dan Maf»i n g a reporter through the
m ankle in thef! eo f long halls at the Russian
d the Colts, plam n tific Cardiological Complex
injured starters, Mr western Moscow,
g linebackers onMrhe state of Soviet and now
) the game. Mian medicine is very bad — all
as Harbaugh's» nches, from medical education
icrifice his bod)': up — and if anyone says other-
lay as the Colts'-'
ohnson his firsts [he cardiology clinic is only a
bins' coach,
d ID toss to Ker
end of a 90-yard a
d nearly eight nw
and second qua r .:
ne's only touchdor
o a pile of Miami
his own 39 in
ter to grab a flint
he’s lying,” he adds.
ill part of this enormous com-
of adjoining buildings, con-
icted in the 1970s in that mon-
ental Soviet style in which
rything — doors, corridors,
ranees — seems too big.
irtificial heart program gets final push
laps more imporbMbday, steam radiators struggle
ake the chill off 15-foot-high
[ways with floors of stone and
Isofdrafty windows, and un-
:e Cliff Groce that®ded courtyards are overgrown
ed to have recovers h grass and weeds. |
s ruled Harbaugh? The cavernous main lobby
ris Singleton hai
possession, gii-'
k to the Colts,
e, it was a day fort
lis defense astl
took over first pie:
East with Miami!)!
each a game beliioc
losing linebacke 1
ratt and Stephen Gr?
vuscles on
the Colts held a nf
hat had averaged lit
into the gametojid
d they sacked Man®
t, Bernie Kosar.to
ey joined Kansas tt)'
and Carolina as lb
beaten teams.
ns to mss
eight we®
where visitors leave their coats and
wait in line for passes is dark, its flu
orescent lights flickering or dead,
and cloudy with cigarette smoke.
Yeltsin, as president, is a spe
cial case, of course, and will get
the best treatment Russian and
foreign specialists can offer. But
his decision to have surgery in
Moscow has thrown a spotlight
on Russia’s impoverished medical
system, where expensive surg
eries like his are rare and doctors
and patients alike look abroad for
quality. Only a few thousand by
pass operations are performed in
Russia each year, compared to
half a million in the United States.
Yeltsin, 65, will likely be operat
ed on within the next two months,
either at the clinic, run by the dean
of Soviet cardiology, Dr. Yevgeny
Chazov, or at nearby Central Clini
cal Hospital, also called the Krem
lin hospital, where Yeltsin is now
being evaluated.
In Soviet times, health care
was free but shoddy. Since the
1991 collapse of the Soviet Union,
even the elite clinics that cater to
VIPs have been gasping for funds.
“The biggest problem is non
payment,” says Dr. Leo Bokeria,
who heads another leading
Moscow clinic, the Research Cen
ter for Cardiovascular Surgery.
“Since we're a state hospital,
we’re paid 95 or 96 percent by the
state, and we’ve been very badly
paid,” Bokeria says.
Russia is gripped by a chronic
cycle of debt and unpaid wages.
“The biggest
problem is non
payment.”
Dr. Leo Bokeria
Research for Cardiovascular
Surgery
The government can’t collect taxes
and doesn’t pay its bills, and most
state workers, from miners to de
fense workers to teachers, regularly
go months without paychecks.
The ER physician, who spoke
on condition of anonymity, grad
uated with honors and considers
his posting at the Chazov clinic a
prize. Still, he makes only $100 a
month, less than the national av
erage. He sells German pharma
ceuticals on the side, but he has a
wife and young child and worries
he may have to quit medicine to
make a living.
The president’s heart problems
have also brought attention to the
need for better preventive care in
Russia. The Russian diet is fatty,
heavy on red meat, sausage and
fried potatoes, and alcohol con
sumption is high. Those factors
have helped reduce male life ex
pectancy to 57, a drop of six years
since 1991.
The clinic says its kitchen
avoids meat and fried foods —
Monday’s dinner menu listed fish,
mashed potatoes and yogurt —
but the young doctor calls the
bland, institutional offerings
“ugly” and patients’ families
commonly bring meals in for
loved ones. Often, they are ex
pected to bring the necessary
drugs, too.
“The level of our institute is
down,” the doctor says grimly,
adding that he himself would prob
ably look for treatment abroad.
“In my group (at medical
school) we began with about 20
people. I would send my relatives
to only one or two of them.”
The device,
which has been
tested on
calves, should
be available for
human use in
four years.
AP) — Dallas wide
i Williams could mis
ks because of a fo
red in Sunday’s Id
Buffalo Bills,
who has only caif
for 154 yards in to
verely sprained
id suffered a hairlr
j bone at the base
HOUSTON (AP) — A totally im
planted artificial heart that has been
tested in calves should be ready for
human use in four years.
The Texas Heart Institute and
ABIOMED Inc., a Massachusetts
company, received a 4-year, $8.5
million federal grant that will allow
them to complete testing the bat
tery-powered pump.
Dr. Robert TV Kung, senior vice
president for research and devel
opment at ABIOMED, said the
heart is intended for permanent
use in humans.
“We intend it to last as long as the
person lives,” Kung was quoted as
saying in Monday editions of the
Houston Chronicle.
However, he said, the government
contract calls for developing a heart
that will last at least five years.
Implanting it will cost less than
current heart transplants, ABIOMED
officials said. The estimated cost of
the artificial heart is $30,000.
The project calls for testing the
pump in the laboratory for two
years, Kung said. The pump has
been implanted in calves for as long
as four months, he said.
Dr. O.H. Frazier has led the Texas
Heart Institute group that has
teamed with ABIOMED for the past
nine years to perfect a prototype.
Frazier is chief of cardiopulmonary
transplantation and director of sur
gical research at the institute.
Frazier said that only the Texas
Heart Institute-ABIOMED and
Pennsylvania State University artifi
cial heart programs were funded in
this final period before human test
ing begins.
Initially, the artificial heart may
be used to keep patients alive un
til they receive a transplant, he
said. That could occur before the
year 2000, he said.
The studies were funded by
grants from the National Heart, Lung
and Blood Institute. The new grant is
from the same agency.
The ABIOMED total artificial
heart has two main pumping cham
bers, batteries and control electron
ics. It is designed to replace a dis
eased heart.
Unlike heart-assist pumps that
are being used more frequently
now, the total artificial heart re
quires that the person’s natural
heart be removed.
The total artificial heart takes its
place. It is capable of pumping 10
liters of blood per minute and is
about the same size as a normal
heart — making it appropriate for
most adults.
A sealed, miniaturized hydraulic
pump and motor system powers the
pumping action. External batteries
worn by the patient provide power
that is transmitted through the skin.
A small transmitter coil placed
over the skin sends the power to a
receiver coil that is implanted just
under the skin.
Electronics control the rate at
which the heart beats as well as how
much blood is pumped:
ICCIDENT
tirtued from Page 1
i devastating loss:
coach Barry
ly. “We were i
that area. Kevin
endous player for; Dr. Andy Smith, a psychologist at the coun
cial teams. Thed:# n § center, said students are free to visit
/ing he could be of h a counselor if they need to talk about
weeks.” fir emotions.
We are available to you at any time,”
Idth said. “We are there for you Monday
lough Friday (from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), but if
I not during business hours, you can call
i [help line.”
[The help line may be reached by dialing
: 45-2700.
unday’s accident occurred on Highway 6
Ween Old Reliance Road and Highway 21.
pFord F-150 carrying the 10 students re-
tedly veered to the left lane of the high-
7 It then crossed back to the right where
suspend
ing tirade^
E, Ga. (AP) — Til
ns suspended
londay, one days'
lack confronted!
; sidelines,
after being bencti
quarter of a 3)
ladelphia, folio#'
the sideline, not 1 '
fter the decision,
very serious in'
i said after Mono?
a left me no ct#
it ran off the road, rolled over at least twice
and hit a large highway sign. It came to a
rest upside down.
Gregory Christopher White, 19, a sopho
more civil engineering major from Austin, was
killed in the accident.
The nine other students in the truck were
sent to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Columbia
Medical Center.
Charles David McCleod Jr., 19, a sopho
more electrical engineering major from Lub
bock and Kelly Rene Tyler, 19, a sophomore
interdisciplinary studies major from Col-
leyville were both listed in critical condition at
St. Joseph’s Monday night.
Stephen Arthur Bowels, 18, a freshman
business administration major from Universal
City, Jeffrey Russell Flinn, 18, a freshman com
puter engineering major from Fort Worth, and
Jennifer Lynn Luffy, 18, a chemical engineer
ing major from Fort Worth, were listed in sta
ble condition at St. Joseph’s.
In stable condition at Columbia Medical
Center Monday night were Melissa Lovoi, 18,
a freshman geography major from Beaumont,
Sandra Karen Strickland, 18, a freshman busi
ness administration major from Fort Worth,
and Rebecca E. Wallman, 18, a sophomore
biomedical science major from Colleyville.
The driver of the truck, Sarah Marie Fullen,
19, a sophomore history major from Col
leyville, was released Monday from Columbia
Medical Center.
Monday night, Sgt. Choya Walling of the
Bryan Police Department said it was still too
early in the investigation to speculate about
the cause of the accident.
“All we know now is that the truck left the
roadway,” Walling said. “A lot of things are de
pending on the investigation.”
ey in Irv
ndicted
[AP) — An attoffi
dieted on a witi
harge in connetf
ug case of
r Michael Irvin,
rors on
las Brent
eatening Amber^
'orked for Arnold *
a Irvin’s formers
evision station
t Gatcomb was
y 5 to testify in
session trial
le subpoena. 1
two weeks lal
no contest.
?’s indictment,
it that Irvin i
she stayed,
attorney, I
ce.
it and friend
never met
i in his entire
“So what wools
there is none.'
All remaining close out
in line skates up to 40% off
(Rollerbalde, Bauer, Roces)
20% off pads purchase or half-price
on pads with purchase of skates
817 Texas Ave. Expires 09-26-96
jollege Station, Tx.
696-6551
SAVE ON U-LOCKS * HELMETS* MORE
OPEN 9:30 AM -6:30 PM M-SAT. 12-5 SUN.
\Ne accept
competitors coupons
VISA
Floppy Joe's Computer Store
Having computer PROBLEMS ?
We've got the computer ANSWERS !
Hardware & Software Upgrades,
Installations, Troubleshooting and Repairs
$5 OFF Bring in this coupon for . $5 OFF
$ 5.00 OFF
your first half hour of service
Limit one per customer per visit. Regular price $17.50 per half hour.
Must present coupon at time of service (expires 10/31/96)
1705 Texas Ave. in Culpepper Plaza. 693-1706
http:/ / www.cs-floppyjoes.com
Texas A&M Seniors, Juniors,
Sophomores and Freshmen:
This is your chance to have
1 \ggieland
your class picture in the
’97 Agg/e/ancf yearbook.
pictures
Pictures will be taken
9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.
Monday - Friday
at A 17 Photography
707 Texas Ave. (next to Taco Cabana)
Call 693-8183 for more information
Are You Interested In Law School?
TAMU Pre Law Society wants you!
Come join us for a social
Wednesday, Sept. 25,1996, 7:00 pm
at
Yesterday's
on the corner of Texas and University
*7 d? ^
COMPLETE NAIL SERVICE
Acrylic Nails • Gel Nails • Fiberglass • Sculpture Nails
Nail Art Design • Airbrush Design • Manicures & Pedicures
• American, French Manicures • Etc
3601 EAST 29TH ST.
Call for Appointment (409) 846-0740
Walk-ins Welcome
fJ'itce Fill-ins $15 ' i bi
BRYAN, TX. 77802
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00am-8:00pm
Sun 10:00am-5:00pm
FREE File down
with any service
broken nail FREE
W® willII ©r Ibofif ftaniy
House Of Tires
iic!)w§rl3s©<dl pute® nbdi ©ff©ir
Brakes-4'Less
tun ti<d)<d)5itl©niill (dliaeount
Trans'4-Less
wiHlh
©HydlsnU HID ©or haring In tt
779-2458
hyyp://www2.cy-net.net/~al'gtz/tires
©©py ©f ©yar w©P png©.
1401 S Texas Ave.
Engine Tune-Up
$5 OFF
$57.95 6Cylinder $47' 95
1 Tire
$67 vs s cylinder 4 Cylinder
| Rotation and Balance
Only with coupon, show Annie ID and Receive an Extra Discount.
■ Only with coupon, show Aggie ID and Receive an additional discount
Brake Job
Transmission
$67' 95
only with coupon, Show aggie ID and Receive an Extra Discount
Fluid Special
I $39' 98 «•—-
^ only with coupon, show Aggie Id and Receive an additional Discount
/> *\
4 * *\
V* * - 1
r
ATTENTION
SPRING 1997
STUDENT TEACHERS
except HLTH, KINE & AGED
WHAT:
WHEN:
TIME:
WHERE
Gffiiginitaittioini Meeidimg
Tuesday, September 24,1996
7:00 p.m.
Rudder Tower Room 601
This meeting is Mauaditoiry
LEARN TO
FLY NOW
At United Flight Systems
THE EXPERIENCED FLIGHT SCHOOL
Learn to fly
with the Cess-
■ Private thru
1 advanced
• training
■ Aircraft rental
na Pilot Cen- .
ter Exclusive '
1111
Integrated
at
■ Pilot Shop
Flight Training
Our New Location:
■ F.A.A.
System
College Station
approved 141
school
Zt
Easterwood Airport
■ VA eligible
Cessna
409 260-6322
Benefits
LEADERSHIP 2000:
A Leadership Series for New Students
September's Topics:
THE OTHER
EDUCATION
What is it and How Do I Get Involved?
SEPTEMBER 25
7:00 P.M.
601 RUDDER
•Learn About Leadership • Identify Campus Resources*
•Hear Words of Wisdom from Successful Student Leaders*
Sponsored by The Department of Student Activities
Look Cool
Stay Cool
WITH SUN-GARD®WINDOW TINT FILM
Let us put Sun-Gard window
tint on your vehicle during
our special sale.
• Provides a unique custom look.
• Is available in a wide range
of shades
• Helps prevent cracking and
fading of interior
• High temperature-resistant
adhesive stands up under
toughest conditions
• Lifetime warranty on materials
and labor- Nationwide
Special
w/ complete
brake job
House of Tires
Brakes-4-Less
779-2458