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HealthNews
Sinai's Lipid Lab Redefines
"Normal" Cholesterol
I
thinking about heart disease. A population of
Indians of Asian origin, who eat a relatively
low-fat diet; smoke less than other groups; have
generally lower blood pressure, blood cholesterol and
Meeting Changing
Health Care Needs
than most other societies, including ours. In addition,
their high rate of heart disease persists even after they
a standard blood test), is not always as significant in
assessing risk of heart disease as how the body me-
tabolizes or handles that cholesterol. The individual's
metabolic response to the LDL level is what deter-
mines if cholesterol gets deposited in the vessels,"
where it fills them up and threatens life.
"Some people with a cholesterol level of un-
der 200 have a false sense of security about
their risk for heart disease," he con-
tinues, "while some with a high cho-
lesterol level never develop heart
disease." In fact, Dr. Maciejko notes
that more than half of the people
who suffer from heart disease have
what is considered "normal" choles-
terol levels.
The trio of unique tests performed by
Dr. Maciejko in Sinai's lipid lab measures
the size and number of LDL cholesterol
particles, the cholesterol-binding proteins,
and a tin _ y cholesterol package called Lp(a).
The tests have attracted the interest of drug
companies around the world, and, as a result,
Sinai has been named one of only a few Core
Lipid Laboratories established by the National
Institutes of Health in the country.
The Sinai Center for Lipid Metabolism and
Atherosclerosis is only one example of Sinai
Hospital's ongoing commitment to main-.
taining leadership in medical research and
innovative treatment. Because of this
dedicated effort, Sinai patients regular-
ly benefit from the latest advance-
ments in medical investigation.
gest that the source of their problem might be genet-
ic rather than related to lifestyle.
The director of Sinai's Center for
Lipid Metabolism and Atherosclero-
sis, James J. Maciejko, Ph.D., accept-
ed the challenge to solve the mystery.
Dr. Maciejko, a lipid expert (lipi-
dologist) who trained at Mayo Clin-
ic, began his research with a study
of 300 Asian Indians living in south-
eastern Michigan.
Following months of research, Dr.
Maciejko solved the puzzle using
three blood tests that he helped de-
velop and are unique in Michigan
to Sinai's lipid lab. From the results
of the tests "we found a genetically
influenced factor that increases the
threat from LDL (clogging-type) cho-
lesterol to the blood vessels of Asian
Indians. So, even though the total cho-
lesterol level in these individuals is
normal, the ineffective way in which
their bodies handle that level results
in clogging up arteries and increased
incidence of heart disease."
This discovery is one of Dr. Maciejko's
most meaningful contributions to the
knowledge and treatment of heart dis-
ease: "The concentration of cholesterol
in the blood (the number you get from
Where is Sinai?
\
WEST
BLOOMFIELD
Q inai Hospital is cen-
14.3trally located in metro- 41,
politan Detroit on West
Outer Drive just north of NOVI
West McNichols/ Six Mile
itg)
Road and two blocks east
of Greenfield. The main
entrance is on West Outer
Drive, and valet parking is
available.
045
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6.
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Outer Dr
McNichols (Six Mile)
■
SINAI HOSPITAL
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DETROIT
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Following the successful com-
pletion of the initial phase of Sinai's
Master Facility Plan, dramatic
changes are planned to address
other priorities in preparation for
the 21st Century. Four to seven
years from now, work will begin
to revitalize remaining support
service facilities and increase the
amenities on selected inpatient
nursing units.
The 21st Century will bring chal-
lenges that Sinai is poised to meet.
Based on demand and response to
Sinai's efforts to remain part of a
regional health care provider net-
work, further expansion and re-
configuration of the main campus
facility is proposed, including a
potential for an additional 60,000
square-foot of construction on the
new ambulatory care facility and
further upgrading and reconfigu-
ration of inpatient nursing units.
Sinai's roots in Detroit are deep and
the health system intends to con-
tinue to grow as a leader in patient
care, education, and research.
Founded in 1953, Sinai Hospital is a 603-bed tertiary care facility on a
36-acre campus centrally located in metropolitan Detroit. Michigan's only
Jewish-sponsored hospital, Sinai has numerous satellite locations through-
out the area.
FERNDALE t',_
c>
LIVONIA
Looking Beyond
Tomorrow
HealthNews is published as a community service to provide up-to-date
information about Sinai Hospital, its physicians and services.
OAK PARK V
"E
Commenting on the significance
of the renovation, Sinai President
and CEO Phillip Schaengold says,
"The proposed program is a key
element in our continuing effort to
find more efficient ways of deliver-
ing quality health care that ad-
dresses the changing needs of the
communities we serve. By reorga-
nizing, enhancing and expanding
certain facilities and services, Sinai
Hospital will create a more patient-
centered environment, while max-
imizing operational efficiency and
cost-effectiveness."
HealthNews
Maple
BIRMINGHAM
\
ROYAL OAK
SINAI HOSPITAL
Multi-Year Facility Plan
lipid levels, have a higher prevalence of heart disease
move to other parts of the world. These findings sug-
■
continued from page 1
Dr. James Maciejko,
director of Sinai's
Center for Lipid
Metabolism, tested a
population of Indians
of Asian origin for
prevalence of heart
disease.
t began as a puzzle that challenged scientists'
WINTER 1995 ISSUE
palm
cal
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Copyright 1995 by Sinai Hospital.