Autopsies, Congestive Heart Failure and... Fried Bananas!

Yes, I do actually tell you how to make the most delicious fried bananas in the world, based on my mum's exquisite culinary instincts, at the end of this post...

I watched my first autopsy yesterday -coolest thing ever (so far)! It was kind of a nice surprise -our pathology small group leader at St. Mary's Hospital decided to give us a break between discussions of theoretical 'clinical cases' on athersclerosis and congestive heart failure, so that we could see not only what a real, recently infarcted heart looks like, but examine the surrounding tissue, clues from the state of the once-patient's body and better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to their death. It was fascinating. Also, you should know, it was done quite respectfully. I agree with our small group doctor -autopsies should be more regularly requested. Because even if the docs are 90% sure of the cause of death, you never really know until you go in. Sometimes it can be genetic, in which case, the whole, still-alive family can benefit from the diagnosis. Other times the first diagnosis might have been right, but reasoning how and why that particular lethal final event came about may have been inaccurate. Autopsies are important because they allow us to do justice to our patients and to their families after the end, and they also allow us to learn from our mistakes so that we can be better doctors.

These days we are learning a lot about congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and hypertension. Something you should know point-blank about heart failure is this (a surprise to me, incidentally): all those meds (Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, statins, etc...), they help alleviate suffering from the symptoms, perhaps prolong life a little bit... but ultimately, people in heart failure are going to die -the meds don't "fix" them. 50% of patients with heart failure do not live past 5 years from their diagnosis. The only way to give these people a new life is to give them a new heart. Harsh reality, and yes there are nuances... and there's reason to be hopeful in the sense that there's still 50% who do live longer than 5 years, but, well... better to know the stats and then make the best of the time one has left. It does not mean that you go around breaking bad news to people like its common, but it's important that patients are not being deluded into thinking that heart failure is just another medical condition, like the flu or even cancer, that can be overcome and then you move on with your life. You should move on with your life anyway, of course. But I'm just sayin'. Prevention, of course, is totally worth it. High LDL:HDL cholesterol ratios -bring 'em down; hypertension -bring it down; diabetes -keep it under control; getting old... well, can't do much about that... Really though, take your health seriously, so that you don't have to worry about taking life so seriously... at least you'll be there for it!

But you know -exercise, proper diet, all of this is well and good and you should do it. Some culinary delights that may be on the unhealthy side are still okay in moderation... like fried bananas, which I just learned how to make. Get butter to bubble in pan on high heat. Place cut bananas (if normal size, cut in half across and in half long-ways... if larger, cut in thirds across) in sizzling butter. Wait until they get goldeny-red (some can even get black... the more carmelized, the more yummy), then turn them over and let the same thing happen to the other side. Make sure you add a bit more butter accordingly (the bottom of the pan should not be dry). Once done, pour some lemon juice over all of it and stir them around and let simmer for a couple of minutes on low heat. If the bananas were not very ripe or over-ripe upon frying, you will need to add some brown sugar as well (when you add the lemon juice).

Taking them along with mango-peach-pineapple sorbet and fresh raspberries for dessert to a dumpling-making party later this evening. Should be delish. Well... guess I should do just a bit of work before leaving! Love you mucho...