Authors
Latest:
Severe Illness in Children: "Could This Be Sepsis?"As providers, we do not want to scare parents into worrying about every cough or fever. Not every illness is sepsis.
Latest:
Flu Vaccines May Reduce Heart Failure Risks“The reason we are talking about vaccinations is that they are some of the simplest interventions we can provide our patients to reduce heart failure (HF) hospitalizations and HF exacerbations,†says Dr. Orly Vardeny, PharmD.
Latest:
MedTech Moments: Episode 19An interview with Evan Steele, CEO of SRSsoft on hybrid EMRs and the pros and cons of a paperless system.
Latest:
The Cardiovascular Safety of Incretin-Based TherapiesA review of the cardiovascular safety and potential benefits of incretin-based therapies for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Latest:
Nonlipid Serum Markers for Clinical Risk Assessment of Coronary Artery DiseasePrevention has become an important component in the management of cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death in the United States. Success with modification of traditional risk factors?hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and obesity?has led researchers to investigate additional factors that may identify people at risk for a coronary event. C-reactive protein, the most studied and valuable nonlipid serum marker identified thus far, has shown to predict risk for cardiovascular events. Other risk factors studied include homocysteine, fibrinogen, and low-density lipoprotein oxidation; these have shown some clinical benefit in the early phases of research. Interventions that modify these markers, including statin therapy, may need to be considered. Exciting research is ongoing that may crystallize the role of these novel factors in the management of coronary artery disease.
Latest:
Endovascular Repair of Splenic Artery AneurysmSplenic artery aneurysm is the most common form of visceral artery aneurysm. Most present asymptomatically with incidental findings on CT or ultrasound which are diagnostic, although about 20% present with vague left upper quadrant abdominal pain. Treatment should be aimed at preserving splenic function whenever possible and endovascular treatments offer a less invasive option to patients than open surgical ligation or resection.
Latest:
New Hope for Young Children with SMA - Early Treatment is KeyUntil recently, there's been little providers or parents could do, beyond offering supportive care, to improve outcomes for children with SMA. But there is new hope.
Latest:
Antithrombotic treatment of high-risk elderly patients hospitalized with atrial fibrillationWe assessed the pattern of use and the effectiveness of antithrombotic therapy in a cohort of high-risk elderly patients hospitalized for atrial fibrillation, with data derived from prescription, hospitalization, and mortality databases from 3 linked registries. Results showed that antithrombotic therapy was underused, even in patients with no comorbid conditions. In addition, patients exposed to antithrombotic therapy had a significantly lower mortality rate. The collection of epidemiological data by record linkage represents a flexible and readily available tool for monitoring and improving routine clinical care.
Latest:
Combining warfarin and antiplatelet therapy after coronary stentingWe conducted an observational study to compare singleantiplatelet therapy with dualantiplatelet therapy among patients requiring long-term warfarin therapy after coronary stenting. Results showed that there was no difference in mortality or myocardial infarction between the 2 treatment regimens at 6 months, with no excess in-hospital bleeding; however, larger trials are needed to determine firm recommendations.
Latest:
Nurses Are the Center of COVID-19 Crisis Communication. Is Tech Helping?A deeper look at how nurses are affected during the current health pandemic.
Latest:
Are Gender Disparities in Depressive Disorders Real? A Study of an Incarcerated PopulationMany studies have shown higher rates of depressive disorders in women than in men, with a female-to-male ratio of approximately 2:1. We examined gender characteristics in a jail setting to test the hypothesis that depression is much more common in men than has previously been reported. This setting provided a unique opportunity to diagnose and treat men with depressive disorders who would be less likely to be diagnosed with depression outside prison.
Latest:
Can corticosteroids prevent atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery?We conducted a prospective, double-blind, randomized, multicenter study among 241 patients who underwent their first on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, aortic valve replacement (AVR), or combined CABG and AVR surgery to determine whether the use of hydrocortisone prevents atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery. Results showed that the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation was significantly lower in the hydrocortisone group compared with the placebo group.
Latest:
The Approach to the Patient with Allergic AsthmaAsthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting 20 million people in the United States, including 6.1 million children. Allergies are among the most common risk factors for the development of asthma, and they often trigger acute episodes. Because the economic and health care burden of asthma has increased over the past 20 years, physicians should be familiar with current management guidelines, as well as with the many medications available. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent asthma exacerbations and improve the quality of life of patients.
Latest:
How Would You Manage This Woman Who is a Self Described 'Worry Wart'?A 38 year old female lab technician is seen for "being nervous all the time". She complains of being unable to relax. She relates to you that he has been a "worry wart" for as long as she can remember, always fearing that something is going to go wrong. Although her doctor has told her she is in excellent health, she relates that she sees him frequently for episodic stomach pains and palpitations.
Latest:
Acquired Angioedema: A Challenging DiagnosisAngioedema is a hypersensitivity disorder that presents as edema of the subcutaneous tissues and mucosa, typically involving the upper airways or gastrointestinal tract, and often accompanied by urticaria. Although this condition could be either hereditary or acquired, the causes often overlap, with similar clinical manifestations. Diagnosis requires laboratory testing to determine serum complement levels. Treatment must be directed toward the resolution of the acute symptoms and prevention of recurrence.
Latest:
Antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillationWe investigated 1209 patients with valvular and nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who were treated with standard anticoagulant therapy, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor triflusal, or combined therapy with triflusal and an anticoagulant. Compared with patients receiving standard anticoagulation treatment, the addition of antiplatelet therapy to reduced-intensity anticoagulation in patients stratified for risk of stroke significantly reduced the vascular event rate.
Latest:
Single Intervention Cockroach Bait-Trapping Can Improve Clinical Asthma OutcomesMultiple studies have previously shown that increases in cockroach allergen are linked to a four-fold risk of asthma.
