Merck Defends Vioxx
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Cardiologist Testifies in Favor of Vioxx
Cardiologist: Vioxx Did Not Cause Postal Worker's Heart Attack
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Dr. Alise Reicin, a Merck & Co. scientist, testifies in Atlantic City, N.J., Monday, Oct. 17, 2005. Reicin was called as a witness in a product liability trial over the withdrawn painkiller Vioxx. (AP Photo/Mary Godleski)
By BONNIE PFISTER Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. Oct 19, 2005 — An Idaho postal worker who suffered a heart attack had a buildup of plaque in his arteries that was not caused by the since-withdrawn painkiller Vioxx, a doctor testified Tuesday for the drug's maker during a product liability trial.
Dr. Theodore Tyberg, a New York cardiologist who also teaches at medical schools, told a jury that only minimal plaque buildup is needed to cause the "small, modest" heart attack Frederick "Mike" Humeston suffered in his Boise home in September 2001.
Humeston, 60, is suing Vioxx maker Merck & Co., blaming his heart attack on intermittent use of the drug over two months. He was seeking relief from lingering pain from a Vietnam War knee injury. Whitehouse Station-based Merck maintains that Humeston's heart attack was due to factors unrelated to Vioxx.
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Called as an expert witness by Merck in the five-week-old trial, Tyberg said images of Humeston's heart showed an artery was narrowed by 20 percent by a buildup of plaque. That plaque broke off, causing Humeston's heart attack, he said.
Under questioning by Merck lawyer Diane Sullivan, Tyberg testified that Vioxx does not cause plaque buildup.
Instead, pre-existing risk factors and a sudden uptick in job-related stress sparked Humeston's heart attack, the cardiologist said. Humeston's age, gender, excess weight and sedentary lifestyle set the stage as it does for hundreds of thousands of Americans for heart trouble, he testified.
Humeston had also been treated for chest pains in the 1970s and heart palpitations the following decade. He had told his doctors his role as a union representative was very stressful and that he had been treated for shortness of breath.
In addition, Tyberg said, Humeston had been in a long-running dispute with his employer over the extent of his knee injury and how much it impaired his work.
A day before his heart attack, Humeston learned a postal service doctor and inspector had discussed the dispute with his family doctor, Dr. Gregory Lewer. They told Lewer the agency needed to reduce its work force, raised questions about whether Humeston's injuries warranted reduced duty, and discussed a videotape showing Humeston working in his garage when he supposedly was in too much pain to work.
Cardiologist Testifies in Favor of Vioxx
Cardiologist: Vioxx Did Not Cause Postal Worker's Heart Attack
//
Dr. Alise Reicin, a Merck & Co. scientist, testifies in Atlantic City, N.J., Monday, Oct. 17, 2005. Reicin was called as a witness in a product liability trial over the withdrawn painkiller Vioxx. (AP Photo/Mary Godleski)
By BONNIE PFISTER Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. Oct 19, 2005 — An Idaho postal worker who suffered a heart attack had a buildup of plaque in his arteries that was not caused by the since-withdrawn painkiller Vioxx, a doctor testified Tuesday for the drug's maker during a product liability trial.
Dr. Theodore Tyberg, a New York cardiologist who also teaches at medical schools, told a jury that only minimal plaque buildup is needed to cause the "small, modest" heart attack Frederick "Mike" Humeston suffered in his Boise home in September 2001.
Humeston, 60, is suing Vioxx maker Merck & Co., blaming his heart attack on intermittent use of the drug over two months. He was seeking relief from lingering pain from a Vietnam War knee injury. Whitehouse Station-based Merck maintains that Humeston's heart attack was due to factors unrelated to Vioxx.
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Called as an expert witness by Merck in the five-week-old trial, Tyberg said images of Humeston's heart showed an artery was narrowed by 20 percent by a buildup of plaque. That plaque broke off, causing Humeston's heart attack, he said.
Under questioning by Merck lawyer Diane Sullivan, Tyberg testified that Vioxx does not cause plaque buildup.
Instead, pre-existing risk factors and a sudden uptick in job-related stress sparked Humeston's heart attack, the cardiologist said. Humeston's age, gender, excess weight and sedentary lifestyle set the stage as it does for hundreds of thousands of Americans for heart trouble, he testified.
Humeston had also been treated for chest pains in the 1970s and heart palpitations the following decade. He had told his doctors his role as a union representative was very stressful and that he had been treated for shortness of breath.
In addition, Tyberg said, Humeston had been in a long-running dispute with his employer over the extent of his knee injury and how much it impaired his work.
A day before his heart attack, Humeston learned a postal service doctor and inspector had discussed the dispute with his family doctor, Dr. Gregory Lewer. They told Lewer the agency needed to reduce its work force, raised questions about whether Humeston's injuries warranted reduced duty, and discussed a videotape showing Humeston working in his garage when he supposedly was in too much pain to work.
posted by Chris Placitella at 5:15 AM
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