Cardiology

Though EMD Serono's Novantrone (mitoxantrone) injection is the only drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), progressive-relapsing multiple sclerosis (PRMS), or worsening relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), its use is associated with significant risks.

A pair of researchers based in Texas has gained valuable insight into the correlation between individual cell type in the tissues of gout patients and comorbidity factors of the chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder.

As part of a new pilot program, more than 300 US hospitals have begun to voluntarily report 30-day all-cause risk standardized readmission rates after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Although previous studies have already established that low serum sodium levels commonly occur in critically ill children who require hospitalization, a team of Polish researchers aimed to more closely evaluate the link between hyponatremia and the severity of a child's community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Two recently published case studies examine the diagnosis and treatment of hyponatremia in patients who are also suffering from comparatively rare comorbidities.

With strong clinical evidence and adverse event reports linking Daiichi Sankyo's high blood pressure medication Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) to the gastrointestinal condition known as sprue-like enteropathy, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved changes for the drug's label to include a warning about that risk.

The federal government's Partnership for Patients Hospital Engagement Networks (HENs), which work to improve patient care through implementation and dissemination of best practices in clinical quality, have released checklists for 10 areas of patient care.

Recent research from the University of Michigan Health Systems published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that hospitals with the highest rates of cardiac arrests are more likely to have the poorest survival rates for those cases.

The largest study to date on reducing rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in ICU patients found that bloodstream infections in these patients can be reduced by more than 40 percent through universal decolonization practices.

HIV-infected patients face increased risk of myocardial infarction, as well as higher risk for ART-associated dyslipidemia and insulin resistance.

By adopting a comprehensive set of case management policies for the care of diabetic and hyperglycemic patients, Johns Hopkins Hospital improved in-hospital mortality rate, reduced length of stay, and reduced hyperglycemia.

Exposure to insulin glargine and metformin did not cause increased risk of cancer or worse cancer outcomes.

Results of a three-year trial of the experimental GLP-1 receptor agonist albiglutide showed that it had a better effect on HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, and body weight than two comparator drugs.

Prescription-strength doses of vitamin D improve highly prevalent comorbidities among diabetic women, such as depression and pain, and also improve risk factors such as excess weight and high blood pressure.

While the current ADA guidelines recommend targeting HbA1c levels to below 8% for high-risk patients with diabetes, reducing the level to 5.7% dose not raise CVD or overall mortality risk, according to a recent study.

A novel algorithm for patient self-adjustment of prandial insulin dose could make it easier for patients who are poorly-controlled on basal insulin to add meal-time insulin.

In patients with type 2 diabetes currently taking metformin, treatment with combination exenatide plus insulin glargine decreased fasting glucose and resulted in greater weight loss compared to treatment with insulin lispro plus insulin glargine.

Study shows dulaglutide improved glycemic control in patients at 52 weeks compared to sitagliptin, but with a higher rate of adverse events.

Study shows a combination of liraglutide and the genetically modified insulin analog degludec was safe and improved HbA1c levels, weight loss, and hypoglycemia outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The US Food and Drug Administration has awarded "breakthrough therapy" status to a synthetic copy of a naturally occurring human hormone for the treatment of acute heart failure (AHF), drug developer Novartis announced today.

The Diabetes Resource Guide highlights 20 websites that feature articles on topics such as ways to address and improve lifestyle factors (such as diet), how to live day to day with diabetes, information about diabetes medications, online forums, and more.

Hypertriglyceridemia combined with insulin resistance may lead to increased platelet activation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Study results suggest that tight glycemic control is associated with decreased length of stay and improved mortality.

Results of a recent meta-analysis suggest lower rates of hypoglycemia with insulin degludec in obese patients when compared with insulin glargine.

Study shows that 12 weeks of vitamin D supplementation in obese adolescents does not affect cardiometabolic risk factors.

At ENDO 2013, an expert panel discussed the consensus statement on the evaluation and treatment of hypertriglyceridemia and the evidence supporting the recommendations.

Study results show improvements in body composition, intrahepatic lipids, and cardiovascular risk markers in obese men treated with growth hormone for six months compared with placebo.

Informative video lecture on the basics of hyponatremia and management.

Patients with decompensated heart failure and hyponatremia treated with standard management experienced worse outcomes than non-hyponatremic patients. Treatment with tolvaptan was associated with more favorable outcomes.

Study finds hyponatremia is an independent predictor of increased mortality, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications in patients who undergo cardiac surgery.