Internal Medicine News articles from August 2006

Internal Medicine News archives from August 2006

Scans may predict bleeding in stroke.(News)
August 1, 2006... SAN DIEGO -- Computed tomography perfusion imaging may allow clinicians to predict the risk of hemorrhage in a patient with acute ischemic stroke, Dr. Khuram S. Kazmi reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Neuroradiology. ...

Lipitor tops list of branded drugs prescribed by internists in 2005.(VITAL SIGNS)(Table)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Lipitor Tops List of Branded Drugs Prescribed by Internists in 2005 Millions Lipitor 22,031 Norvasc 11,376 Synthroid 10,197 Toprol XL 10,100 Zocor 7,503 Fosamax 6,172 Nexium 6,076 Ambien...

Guidelines favor early metformin in type 2 diabetes: algorithm also highlights role of insulin.(News)
August 1, 2006... Metformin should be prescribed along with life-style intervention as soon as patients are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, according to the authors of a new consensus algorithm endorsed by the American Diabetes Association. Based on...

Antiseizure drug reduces days of chronic headache.(Neurology)(topiramate)
August 1, 2006... Los ANGELES -- The anticonvulsant drug topiramate significantly eased chronic daily headaches, one of the most intractable forms of headache, in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted at 46 U.S. centers. Subjects continued to...

Febuxostat puts damper on gout flares.(News)
August 1, 2006... AMSTERDAM -- The investigational gout medication febuxostat consistently maintained serum urate levels below 6 mg/dL while markedly reducing gout flares in a 4-year study, Dr. H. Ralph Schumacher Jr. said at the annual European Congress of...

CDC calls for longer influenza vaccination period.(News)(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
August 1, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Months ahead of this winter's flu season, officials from the federal government and the American Medical Association decided that they will strongly urge physicians to extend influenza vaccine administration beyond its traditional...

Atripla.(NEW & APPROVED)(Drug overview)
August 1, 2006... Atripla (efavirenz 600 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg, GlaxoSmithKline and Gilead Sciences) A fixed-dose antiretroviral drug combination pill for use alone or with other antiretroviral agents for treating...

Lucentis.(NEW & APPROVED)(Drug overview)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Lucentis (ranibizumab injection, Genentech) A vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for treating neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a retinal disease that is a common cause of blindness in people over age 55....

Reanalysis of stroke data confirms benefit of TPA.(News)(tissue plasminogen activator)
August 1, 2006... KISSIMMEE, FLA. -- A reanalysis of data from a pivotal stroke trial confirms a robust beneficial treatment effect of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, Dr. Jeffrey L. Saver reported at the 31st International Stroke Conference. The...

NSAIDs early in pregnancy tied to malformations.(News)(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents)
August 1, 2006... TUCSON, ARIZ. -- Mothers who take NSAIDs during the first trimester of pregnancy face a 2.2-fold increased risk of giving birth to infants with congenital malformations, results from a large, long-term population study show. In addition, a...

Low-protein diet for CKD controversial.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... I appreciate Dr. Robert Nelson's report on the new guidelines by the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality initiative for patients with both diabetes and chronic kidney disease ("New Guidelines Target Diabetic Kidney Disease," June 1, 2006, p. 30)....

Name that syndrome: JHS or EDS-HM?(LETTERS)(joint hypermobility syndrome)(Ehlers-Danlos syndrome-hypermobility type)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... I think joint hypermobility syndrome is actually Ehlers-Danlos syndrome-hypermobile type. ("Joint Hypermobility Syndrome Underdiagnosed," July 1, 2006, p. 28). This condition has been around since 1946, defined by doctors such as Peter...

A suggestion for revised JNC 7 definitions.(GUEST EDITORIAL)(Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure)
August 1, 2006... New data on treatment of hypertension plus recognition of hypertension as part of a constellation of global cardiovascular risk factors warrant a revision of the definition of hypertension published in the Seventh Report of the Joint National...

Should elderly patients get ICDs?(POINT/COUNTERPOINT)(implantable cardioverter defibrillators)
August 1, 2006... Implanted devices are appropriate if used judiciously. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are at least as effective in elderly patients as they are in younger patients. About half of the patients in major ICD trials have been...

Visual symptoms of migraine underestimated.(Neurology)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... LOS ANGELES -- Visual disturbances may be far more common among patients with migraines than previously believed, according to a study presented at the annual scientific meeting of the American Headache Society. Dr. Abouch V....

Better sleep tied to fewer headaches in women.(Neurology)
August 1, 2006... LOS ANGELES -- A structured sleep modification program significantly reduced the frequency and intensity of headaches in women with transformed migraines, University of North Carolina researchers reported at the annual meeting of the American...

Open-ended question reveals impact of migraine.(Neurology)
August 1, 2006... LOS ANGELES -- Health care providers asked lots of questions during videotaped, real-life office visits by patients with migraines, but almost always failed to ask the one question that would indicate whether they should prescribe a preventive...

Carotid endarterectomy beat stenting at 30 days.(Neurology)
August 1, 2006... PHILADELPHIA -- The periprocedural rate of death or stroke in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting was about 40% higher than for similar patients who had a carotid endarterectomy, on the basis of a metaanalysis that included data from...

Stenting lowers 5-year stroke, restenosis rates.(Neurology)
August 1, 2006... SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. -- The results of carotid stenting appear to be similar to endarterectomy results for at least 5 years after the procedure, based on a cohort study of 2,172 patients treated at four European centers. In the cohort of...

Carotid stenting and endarterectomy yield similar outcomes at 2 years.(Neurology)
August 1, 2006... SCOTTSDAIE, ARIZ. -- In a major study comparing carotid endarterectomy and carotid stenting, 2-year results show similar death and stroke rates for the two procedures, Dr. Rodney A. White said at an international congress on endovascular...

Open Carotid Surgery vs. endovascular repair.(DATA WATCH)
August 1, 2006... Open Carotid Surgery vs. Endovascular Repair Sources: J. Vasc. Surg. 2006;43:205-16, U.S. Census Bureau ANGIE RIES/ELSEVIER GLOBAL MEDICAL NEWS

Effervescent fentanyl subdues cancer pain.(Neurology)
August 1, 2006... SAN ANTONIO -- A new rapidly acting effervescent formulation of fentanyl appears to be safe and effective when used to treat breakthrough pain in cancer patients. Results of preliminary research show that fentanyl effervescent buccal...

Opioid prescribing rates vary widely by state.(Neurology)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... SEATTLE -- The rate of opioid use varies considerably from state to state, with some of the highest rates found in Indiana and Maine, and the lowest in California and Minnesota, federal prescription claims data show. That variation is...

Parkinson's disease.(THE EFFECTIVE PHYSICIAN)(Disease/Disorder overview)
August 1, 2006... Background The American Academy of Neurology quality standards subcommittee has recently published a series of evidence-based guidelines on Parkinson's disease. Conclusions Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common progressive...

New antiangiogenesis agents fight lung cancer.(Pulmonary Medicine)
August 1, 2006... ATLANTA -- A year after research on bevacizumab proved that angiogenesis inhibition can help patients with non-small cell lung cancer live longer, a second generation of antiangiogenesis agents is showing activity against advanced, metastatic...

Bevacizumab-erlotinib combo boosts lung cancer survival.(Pulmonary Medicine)
August 1, 2006... ATLANTA -- Bevacizumab (Avastin) in combination with erlotinib (Tarceva) was associated with promising preliminary results in the treatment of refractory non-small cell lung cancer in data presented at the annual meeting of the American Society...

Survival not better with chemo for early NSCLC.(Pulmonary Medicine)(non-small cell lung cancer)
August 1, 2006... ATLANTA -- Updated results from a clinical trial that helped establish adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin as the standard of care for stage IB non-small cell lung cancer no longer show a significant improvement in overall...

Surgeon general: secondhand smoke is never safe.(Pulmonary Medicine)
August 1, 2006... The science is now anything but hazy: Secondhand tobacco smoke causes premature death and disease in children and adults who don't smoke--and there is no safe exposure level, the U.S. surgeon general warned in a comprehensive new report. ...

FDG-PET helps focus lung cancer therapy.(Pulmonary Medicine)(fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... SAN DIEGO -- Combining [.sup.18]fluorodeoxyglucose PET scans with CT images may supply the best information for maximizing treatment planning in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma, a multicenter French study showed. The approach...

U.S. lung cancer projections for 2005.(DATA WATCH)(Table)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... U.S. Lung Cancer Projections for 2005 In thousands Men Women New Cases 93 80 Deaths 90 73 Source: American Cancer Society ELSEVIER GLOBAL MEDICAL NEWS Note: Table made from bar graph.

Lung allocation score boosts organ-use efficiency.(Pulmonary Medicine)
August 1, 2006... MADRID -- Early results show that the recently introduced lung allocation score is making it easier to match donor lungs with transplant recipients. Since its launch in May 2005, the lung allocation score has meant less time spent...

Lung allocation biased against PAH patients.(Pulmonary Medicine)(pulmonary arterial hypertension)
August 1, 2006... MADRID -- The new system for allocating donor lungs to transplant recipients--the lung allocation score--has a built-in bias against patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. But the United Network for Organ Sharing, which began...

PSA velocity useful in predicting prostate cancer.(Urology)(prostate-specific antigen)
August 1, 2006... ATLANTA -- A prostate-specific antigen velocity threshold of approximately 0.4 ng/mL a year is a useful predictor of prostate cancer risk in men under the age of 60 years who have lower median PSA levels, according to research presented at the...

PSA screening often unnecessary in elderly men.(Urology)(prostate-specific antigen)
August 1, 2006... CHICAGO -- Despite recommendations to the contrary, prostate-specific antigen screening is being performed in many elderly men who are not in good health and have limited life expectancies. That conclusion was drawn from an analysis of data...

PSA of 3 ng/mL warrants biopsy without retest.(Urology)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... ATLANTA -- A single prostate-specific antigen screening measurement of 3 ng/mL or higher is sufficient to justify a biopsy of the prostate without a repeat measurement of the PSA, researchers reported at the annual meeting of the American...

Prostate Ca: annual zoledronic acid protects bone; Prostate cancer patients taking androgen-deprivation therapy had higher BMD after the Zometa treatment.(Urology)(bone mineral density)
August 1, 2006... ATLANTA -- An annual dose of zoledronic acid can prevent bone loss in men undergoing androgen-deprivation therapy for nonmetastatic prostate cancer, Dr. M. Dror Michaelson reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical...

Heparin fails to cut rate of DVT/PE after prostatectomy.(Urology)(deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism )
August 1, 2006... PARIS -- Prophylactic use of heparin made no difference in the incidence of symptomatic deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism after 4,609 laparoscopic radical prostatectomies reviewed by the International Laparoscopy Prostate Cancer...

Small prostate gland more likely to have positive surgical margins.(Urology)
August 1, 2006... PARIS -- Patients with smaller prostate glands were at greater risk of positive surgical margins in a retrospective side-specific study of laparoscopic radical prostatectomies at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. The...

High efficacy anticipated for two HPV vaccines.(Women's Health)(human papillomavirus)
August 1, 2006... JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- Both vaccines to prevent human papillomavirus infection will be highly effective, Dr. Diane M. Harper predicted at a conference on STD prevention sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ...

Payment issues could limit HPV vaccine use.(Women's Health)(human papillomavirus)
August 1, 2006... JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- Financial and logistic barriers will limit the implementation and impact of human papillomavirus vaccine, Dr. Lance Rodewald said at a conference on STD prevention sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and...

HSV-2 not likely to be a cervical cancer cofactor.(Women's Health)(herpes simplex virus-2)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... ATLANTA -- Herpes simplex virus-2 does not appear to be a cofactor of human papillomavirus in the development of cervical cancer, Dr. Manuela Zereu reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Human...

Pregnancy not contraindicated after breast Ca.(Women's Health)
August 1, 2006... ATLANTA -- Young women who became pregnant after breast cancer treatment were significantly less likely to have a recurrence or to die of the disease, according to a French retrospective study presented at the annual meeting of the American...

Low vitamin D tied to bone loss in breast cancer.(Women's Health)
August 1, 2006... ATLANTA -- Vitamin D supplementation should be considered for postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with aromatase inhibitors, Dr. Per E. Lonning reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. "Low...

HERA trial shows better overall survival with trastuzumab.(Women's Health)(herceptin adjuvant)
August 1, 2006... ATLANTA -- New results from the international Herceptin Adjuvant (HERA) trial show that taking trastuzumab for 12 months after standard chemotherapy significantly reduced the risk of death for early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer patients....

Noninvasive eye exam identifies neuropathy.(Endocrinology)
August 1, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Corneal confocal microscopy can noninvasively reveal neuropathy early in diabetes and help in monitoring treatment response, speakers said at the annual scientific sessions of the American Diabetes Association. By comparison,...

Skin punch biopsy may predict, diagnose neuropathy early.(Endocrinology)
August 1, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Analysis of skin punch biopsy specimens may help predict diabetic neuropathy in at-risk patients, diagnose the condition earlier, and assess treatment response, Dr. Michael Polydefkis said at the annual scientific sessions of the...

Hypertension common at all ages in type 2 diabetes.(Endocrinology)
August 1, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The increased risk for essential hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes is apparent throughout the entire lifespan, Dr. Scott J. Jacober and his associates reported in a poster at the annual scientific sessions of the...

Hypertension shown to correlate with hyperglycemia in diabetics.(Endocrinology)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... MADRID -- Fasting blood glucose levels appear to be higher in diabetic patients with poorly controlled blood pressure than in those with well-controlled pressure, Dr. Miroslav Soucek said at the annual meeting of the European Society of...

Treat dyslipidemia aggressively in type 2 diabetic women.(Endocrinology)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... LOS ANGELES -- Women with type 2 diabetes may be treated for dyslipidemia less aggressively than men, and therefore may be at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, Dr. Quyen Ngo-Metzger reported at the annual meeting of the Society...

Exenatide benefits treatment-refractory diabetics.(Endocrinology)
August 1, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Exenatide appears beneficial as adjunctive therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes who have not achieved target glucose levels with a thiazolidinedione alone or in combination with metformin, Dr. Bernard Zinman reported at the...

Colesevelam found to lower glucose in diabetes.(Endocrinology)(Drug overview)
August 1, 2006... WASHINGTON -- An old drug evidently has a new trick. Colesevelam (WelChol), approved in the United States since 2000 for lowering lipid levels, also appears to reduce postprandial glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes, Dr. Franklin Zieve...

Osteonecrosis in 1% of IV bisphosphonate users.(Endocrinology)(intravenous)(Drug overview)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... ATLANTA -- A retrospective analysis of data from nearly 4,000 patients treated with intravenous bisphosphonates suggests that osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients with metastatic cancer is an important but rare event in these patients, Dr. Ana...

IV ibandronate bolsters bone as well as oral form.(Endocrinology)(intravenous)(Drug overview)
August 1, 2006... BOSTON -- Intermittent intravenous ibandronate is at least as effective as daily oral ibandronate for increasing bone mineral density and may be preferable to oral dosing in patients with esophageal disease or compliance problems. There...

Chemotherapy raises risk of osteoporosis.(Endocrinology)(Brief article)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... GLASGOW, SCOTLAND -- Chemotherapy for lymphoma should be recognized as a risk factor for the development of osteoporosis, Dr. Bhaskar Dasgupta reported in a poster session at the annual meeting of the British Society for Rheumatology. ...

Drug boosts function, lean body mass in elderly.(Endocrinology)(capromorelin)(Drug overview)(Report)
August 1, 2006... PITTSBURGH -- Treatment with the investigational drug capromorelin brings growth hormone levels in the elderly back into the normal range for young adults, and improves some measures of function, results from a phase II trial showed. These...

Growth hormone therapy often needed into 20s.(Endocrinology)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... BOSTON -- To maintain skeletal health and reach optimal bone development, patients with childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency should continue therapy as they approach young adulthood, according to new treatment guidelines that have been...

High vitamin D linked to lower GI cancer rates.(Clinical Rounds)(gastrointestinal)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... Higher serum vitamin D levels correlated with reduced risk for some kinds of cancers in a population of middle-aged to elderly men, researchers found in a retrospective analysis of data from a major study of health professionals. Dr....

Essiac for cancer.(ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... The Nurse's Secret Formula In the 1920s, Rene Caisse was the head nurse at the Sisters of Providence Hospital in Haileybury, Ontario, a small town north of Toronto. One day during the course of her duties, she encountered an elderly woman...

Cognitive decline from chemo usually resolves.(Clinical Rounds)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... ATLANTA -- Cognitive impairment occurs in some patients during chemotherapy but usually resolves after treatment is over, according to several longitudinal studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology....

Hemorrhoid gel in single-use tube.(PRODUCTS)(AnaMantle HC 2.5% Gel)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... AnaMantle HC 2.5% Gel combines 2.5% hydrocortisone and 3% lidocaine in a topical hemorrhoid gel. The product is available in single-use tube with a built-in applicator for hygiene and portability. For more information, contact Bradley...

Safety syringe prevents needlesticks.(PRODUCTS)(SharpShield safety syringe by Devon Medical Supplies)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The SharpShield safety syringe features a form-fitted sheath that slides over the needle point after the dose of medication is administered and before the needle is removed from the patient. The design allows single-hand injection and prevents...

Keyboard design cuts contamination.(PRODUCTS)(iKEY )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Sealed, cleanable keyboards can reduce cross-contamination in medical offices and exam rooms. The keyboards are made of silicone rubber, and the keys are set lower in the keyboard base to permit thorough cleaning. For more information, contact...

Brush-free hand sanitizer.(PRODUCTS)(Surgicept; Healthpoint Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The Surgicept waterless, brush-free hand sanitizer is quick drying to reduce sticky buildup and keep hands from sliding around inside gloves. The alcohol-based rub is also easy to apply. To obtain additional information, contact the...

New drug for treatment-resistant HIV.(PRODUCTS)(Prezista)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Prezista (darunavir, 300-mg tablets) is approved for the treatment of adults with HIV infection who have not responded to treatment with other antiretroviral drugs. The new protease inhibitor can be coad-ministered with 100-mg ritonavir. To...

RA diagnostic panel.(PRODUCTS)(rheumatoid arthritis; Quest Diagnostics Inc.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Quest Diagnostics Inc. now offers a testing panel to help physicians diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. The panel tests blood samples for the presence of rheumatoid factor and anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies. To contact the company,...

Insulin Pump with Glucose Monitor.(PRODUCTS)(MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time Insulin Pump and Continuous Glucose Monitoring System; Medtronic)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time Insulin Pump and Continuous Glucose Monitoring System checks glucose levels continuously while delivering insulin. This combination allows diabetic patients aged 18 and older to react immediately and reduce the...

Apnea mask may improve compliance.(PRODUCTS)(ComfortLite 2; Respironics)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The ComfortLite 2 nasal mask reduces facial pressure points while providing a comfortable fit designed to improve compliance. The device features multiple cushioning options including a configuration that rests at the tip of the nose and...

Thalomid for multiple myeloma.(PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of thalidomide (Thalomid) in capsules of 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The drug had previously been approved for the treatment of erythema nodosum...

Smaller needle for MS medication.(PRODUCTS)(multiple sclerosis; Avonex)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Avonex (interferon beta-la) can be given with a needle that is 20% shorter and thinner than the approved size, according to the drug's manufacturer, Biogen Idee. The smaller needle may reduce the discomfort of weekly injections for multiple...

Free online drug guide.(PRODUCTS)(Epocrates Rx)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Physicians can now access an online version of the Epocrates Rx mobile drug and formulary guide. The guide provides information on more than 3,300 drugs, including dosing, pricing, potential drug interactions, and Medicare Part D formulary...

Humira pen eases injections.(PRODUCTS)(Abbot Laboratories)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The one-touch activation and ergonomic design of the Humira pen can make injections easier for patients with rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. Patients place the pen against the skin and press a button to inject the Humira (adalimumab). The...

Strategies to prevent falls.(PRODUCTS)("Falls Prevention Strategies in Healthcare Settings" )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... ECRI, a nonprofit health services research agency, has developed two new resources designed to help acute and long-term care facilities prevent falls by their patients. "Falls Prevention Strategies in Healthcare Settings" is a 308-page resource...

Oracea approved for rosacea.(PRODUCTS)(CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals Inc.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Oracea (doxylcycline, 40 mg capsules) is approved for the treatment of inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules) of rosacea in adult patients. The capsules combine immediate- and delayed-release beads. For more information, contact CollaGenex...

FemSpec products provide easy view.(PRODUCTS)(FemEye; FemSpec LLC)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The FemEye is a hand-held gynecology camera that fits in a pocket and plugs into any standard monitor. It can be used together with the FemSpec, an inflatable speculum that conforms to the patient's contours, and the FemDilator, a single-use...

Guide to rare disorders available.(PRODUCTS)("NORD Resource Guide"; National Organization for Rare Disorders)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The National Organization for Rare Disorders has produced the fifth edition of its handbook, the "NORD Resource Guide." This publication contains information on more than 1,400 patient registries, support groups, organizations, and foundations...

Capsules curb constipation.(PRODUCTS)(Lubiprostone)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Lubiprostone (Amitiza) is available by prescription in 24-mcg soft-gel capsules for treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation. The drug works by increasing fluid secretions in the small intestine and increasing the passage of stool. For more...

Valsartan lowers serum C-reactive protein levels: results suggest that an anti-inflammatory effect by the angiotensin II receptor blocker may be responsible.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(Drug overview)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... NEW YORK -- Monotherapy with valsartan has been shown for the first time to lower serum levels of C-reactive protein, raising the possibility that valsartan--and possibly other antihypertensive agents--might have a beneficial effect on...

Combination therapy works better for hypertension control.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(antihypertensive therapy)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... NEW YORK -- Combination antihypertensive therapy must be used more aggressively as the first-line treatment for patients, especially those with diabetes, Dr. Joel M. Neutel said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hypertension. ...

Formulas identify best patients for AAA repair.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(abdominal aortic aneurysm)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... PHILADELPHIA -- Some patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms are simply too sick to safely undergo aneurysm repair, be it by open surgery or with an endovascular procedure. Evidence is now starting to accumulate on how to identify patients for...

EVAR better than open AAA repair in high-risk patients.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(endovascular aneurysm repair; abdominal aortic aneurysm repair)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... PHILADELPHIA -- Endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysms appeared safer than open repair in a retrospective analysis of more than 2,000 high-risk patients who underwent aneurysm repair in the Veterans Affairs' health system. ...

Drug-eluting stents: safe, effective in acute MI? Studies compare patient outcomes with sirolimus- and paclitaxel-eluting models vs. bare-metal stents.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(myocardia infarction)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... ATLANTA -- Drug-eluting coronary stents were at least as safe and effective as bare-metal stents for treating patients with an acute myocardial infarction in a pair of studies that each involved 600-700 patients. One study compared the...

Early, aggressive use of statins lowers post-ACS mortality.(Cardiovascular Medicine)(acute coronary syndrome)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... CHICAGO -- Initiating high-dose statin therapy during hospitalization for an acute coronary syndrome brings significant survival benefit, Dr. Anthony A. Bavry said at the annual meeting of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and...

Health officials see lull in avian influenza reports.(Infectious Diseases)
August 1, 2006... PARIS -- The number of avian influenza outbreaks in animals, particularly wild animals, has hit a seasonal lull, and world animal health experts believe it may reflect the end of the spring bird migration season. The World Health...

Early action key to halting spread of avian flu from human to human.(Infectious Diseases)(Clinical report)
August 1, 2006... PARIS -- To avert a worldwide pandemic sparked by a mutation of an infectious avian influenza, public health officials will need to begin containment efforts before it has spread to 50 humans and treat new cases within 2 days of infection,...