EP281: Drunk Mice and Grafting Hearts

Welcome to my podcast. I am Doctor Warrick Bishop, and I want to help you to live as well as possible for as long as possible. I’m a practising cardiologist, best-selling author, keynote speaker, and the creator of The Healthy Heart Network. I have over 20 years as a specialist cardiologist and a private practice of over 10,000 patients. Podcast Episode Summary Introduction Dr. Warrick Bishop, a cardiologist, author, and CEO of the Healthy Heart Network, hosts this episode focused on cardiovascular health and emerging medical research. The episode covers two fascinating scientific studies: one on a liver hormone that may help treat severe alcohol intoxication, and another on the best graft options for coronary artery bypass surgery. Both topics have practical implications for emergency medicine and cardiac care. Key Takeaways: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a liver-produced peptide hormone that shows promise in treating severe alcohol intoxication by stimulating the brain to release norepinephrine (adrenaline). In mouse studies, FGF21 injection helped severely intoxicated mice regain balance and alertness nearly twice as fast as untreated mice (1 hour 40 minutes vs. 3 hours 46 minutes). FGF21 works by triggering the body's "fight or flight" response through norepinephrine release, which increases alertness and attention in the brain. The hormone is not a "party drug" and will neither allow intoxicated individuals to drive safely nor prevent hangovers. FGF21 appears to work specifically on alcohol intoxication and showed no effect on other sedatives like diazepam, barbiturates, or ketamine. The left internal mammary artery is the superior graft conduit for coronary artery bypass surgery, with the radial artery from the wrist being the second-best option. A 10-15 year Australian study confirmed current best practices for selecting graft conduits in bypass surgery, providing important guidance for surgical planning discussions. FGF21 also shows potential benefits for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, weight loss, and insulin control beyond its acute intoxication applications.