Internal Medicine

Data from the PARTNER cohort A trial show transcatheter aortic valve replacement produces similar mortality rates at one year compared with the standard procedure.

Results from the CORONARY trial show no significant difference at one year between patients with CAD who underwent on-pump vs. off-pump CABG.

Jeffrey S. Borer, MD, of the Howard Gilman Institute for Heart Valve Disease, discusses treating patients with heart failure with beta-blockers and whether there are any patients in this group who are not good candidates for this treatment.

Study results presented at ACC.13 show that patients with unprotected left main coronary artery disease treated with double kissing crush stenting experienced fewer cases of restenosis and other major adverse events compared to patients who received culotte stenting.

Investigators in the expanded HORUS trial using CT scans of ancient mummies from multiple populations and geographic regions report finding evidence of probable or definite atherosclerosis in nearly one-third of samples.

Results from the PARTNER II trial show improvements in 30-day mortality and stroke rates in patients with aortic stenosis who are not surgical candidates who were treated using a newer version of the Sapien transcatheter aortic valve replacement system.

Landmark study results presented at ACC.13 reveal patients with vascular disease treated with niacin therapy face increased risk of myopathy and other adverse events.

Results of the ARMYDA-9 CAROTID trial indicate that loading with 600 mg clopidogrel and high-dose atorvastatin in carotid stent patients independently result in improved neurological outcomes.

Study results presented at ACC.13, the 62nd Annual Scientific Session & Expo of the American College of Cardiology, reveal that in selected STEMI patients, deferred stenting may reduce no-reflow and thrombotic events compared with immediate stenting.

Though the causes of acute pancreatitis are unknown in roughly a quarter of its worldwide patient population, a recent analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine has discovered a link between increased risk of the disease and medicines containing cortisone.

Researchers report that certain classes of comorbidities increase mortality risk in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding, but the presence of any comorbidities also affects mortality risk.

A retrospective review of records from a large medical database finds that patients with sleep apnea face a substantially higher risk of developing peptic ulcer.

Bioengineers at the University of California, San Diego have deemed a new injectable hydrogel safe and effective for repairing tissue damage caused by myocardial infarction, providing a platform to bring the gel to clinical trials within the next year.

Patients with refractory IBS who incorporated weekly sessions of gut-directed hypnotherapy into their treatment report significant long-term improvements in quality of life.

Researchers report that skin patch testing for specific foods and additives that can cause IBS symptoms can help patients eliminate those foods from their diet and improve their IBS symptoms.

The push to provide better pain care and ensure adequate analgesia for patients living with chronic pain led to liberalized opioid prescription practices that have been accompanied by a massive increase in the abuse, misuse, and diversion of prescription opioids. Efforts to combat this include technological remedies such as "abuse-deterrent" formulations of opioids and educational approaches such as the REMS program approved by the FDA in 2012.

A roundup of brief summaries of news and research about irritable bowel syndrome.

A multidisciplinary research project aims to create a large IBS biobank and create uniform standards and guidelines to aid in the study of IBS and other functional GI disorders.

Study results show patients with IBS who drink four or more alcoholic drinks in one day may be more likely to experience diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, and indigestion the next day.

Many widely held beliefs about obesity and weight loss have no scientific basis.

Use of blood volume analysis can help clinicians more accurately identify contributing factors to hyponatremia and avoid contraindicated interventions.

The most important treatment outcome in hepatitis C is sustained virological response, due to its impact on reducing the risks of liver-related mortality, hepatocellular carcinoma, and hepatic decompensation. The degree of baseline liver disease, IL28B genotype, and HCV genotype are important determinants of response to treatment.

The goal of IBS management should be to improve overall symptoms, including altered stool frequency and consistency, abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating, and quality of life.

Adequate daily fiber intake confers multiple health benefits, including improved management of irritable bowel syndrome.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fastest rising cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. However, there are several stages along the way from healthy liver to malignant transformation that offer opportunities for detection and intervention.

Researchers have identified several mutations of genes that could predispose someone to chronic pancreatitis, while thinking has also changed when it comes to treating the pain associated with this chronic condition.

Autoimmune hepatitis often responds well to steroid therapy but identifying the disease and the best approach to management is filled with complexities.

Research has shown that patients with hereditary colorectal syndromes such as Lynch syndrome, adenomatous polyposis, and hamartomatous polyposis have a much higher likelihood of developing colorectal cancer.

With celiac disease becoming more prevalent, especially in adults, what are the most effective approaches to testing patients for this disease, and are there effective management strategies that can be used in conjunction with a gluten-free diet?

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are effective in many patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but up to half of patients do not experience symptom relief with these medications.