Internal Medicine News articles from May 2003

Internal Medicine News archives from May 2003

ACP determined to revitalize specialty. (New Name, New Logo).(American College of Physicians)
May 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Unveiling its new corporate name, the American College of Physicians kicked off its annual meeting with a resolve to strengthen the practice of internal medicine and seek legislative relief on Capitol Hill. "Yes, you heard me...

In normolipidemic HT, atorvastatin lowers CVD rate: relative risk of events drops 36% vs. placebo in well-controlled hypertension. (Atorvastatin 10 Mg/Day).(hypertension, cardiovascular disease)
May 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Atorvastatin at 10 mg/day reduced cardiovascular events in a large randomized primary prevention trial of well-controlled hypertensive patients without dyslipidemia. In the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT) the...

Early levodopa appears to slow course of Parkinson's: no evidence of accelerated progression. (9-Month Randomized Trial).
May 1, 2003... HONOLULU -- Fears that the use of levodopa in early Parkinson's disease might hasten the progression of the disorder have largely been put to rest by the results of a large clinical trial that Dr. Stanley Fahn reported at the annual meeting of...

Vital signs.
May 1, 2003... VITAL SIGNS Rheumatologic, Psychiatric Disorders Account for Nearly Half of Social Security Disability Payments Disorders Rheumatologic 25% Psychiatric 24% Circulatory 12% Oncologic 10% Neurologic 8%...

Incidence of leukemia 55% lower in women who regularly used aspirin. (First Prospective Evidence).
May 1, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- Regular use of aspirin was associated with a 55% reduction in the incidence of leukemia in a group of more than 28,000 U.S. women in a prospective, observational study. "This is the first time that a prospective study has...

New name gives hospitalist organizations sharper focus. (Society of Hospital Medicine).
May 1, 2003... Don't call it the National Association of Inpatient Physicians anymore. The nation's largest hospitalist organization on April 1 officially changed its name to better reflect the field's broad scope and rapidly growing membership base. ...

ACP endorses tight control of BP in diabetics. (As Important as Glycemic Control).(American College of Physicians, blood pressure)
May 1, 2003... Tight control of blood pressure is just as important as tight control of blood sugar in managing patients with type 2 diabetes, according to new guidelines from the American College of Physicians. The guidelines, which were based on a...

CV risk may warrant oral glucose tolerance test. (Unsuspected Type 2 Diabetes).(cardiovascular)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- The epidemic of type 2 diabetes has grown to the point that it may be worthwhile to perform an oral glucose tolerance test on everyone at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, Dr. Robert Califf asserted at the annual meeting of...

High fruit intake linked to later Parkinson's risk. (35-Year Study).
May 1, 2003... HONOLULU -- In an epidemiologic study involving 8,006 men of Japanese ancestry, those who ate a diet rich in fruit were almost twice as likely to develop Parkinson's disease later in life than those with more modest fruit intake. The...

Saving the safety net.(Editorial)
May 1, 2003... Politicians have long debated the need to fix our health insurance system. But if we are to meaningfully address the present crisis in health care costs, access, and quality, we must be willing to directly challenge the very underpinnings of...

Will ventricular assist devices help CHF patients? (Pro & Con).(congestive heart failure)
May 1, 2003... YES In our landmark prospective clinical trial, the Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure (REMATCH), we've shown that left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) used as destination...

Fighting atherosclerotic disease.(Editorial)
May 1, 2003... Guidelines for the treatment of atherosclerotic vascular disease just aren't aggressive enough. With the impending revision of the Adult Treatment Panel Ill--the guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program's Detection,...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2003... Walk a Mile in Their Shoes As an emergency medical services medical director and a former paramedic, I will admit that there are abuses in the system ("Ambulance Abuse," Letters, March 1, 2003, p. 12). I would also say that most...

Axillary staging not needed for ductal ca in situ. (New Treatment Guidelines).(cancer)
May 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD, FLA. - Axillary lymph node staging is generally not indicated in women with ductal carcinoma in situ, according to recently updated treatment guidelines presented at the annual conference of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network....

Epoetin alfa may keep breast ca patients sharp. (Preventing Cognitive Decline).(cancer)
May 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO - Epoetin alfa shows considerable promise for prevention of the cognitive dysfunction associated with adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients, Dr. Joyce O'Shaughnessy said at a breast cancer symposium sponsored by the San...

High-folate diet in drinkers may prevent breast ca. (Nurses' Health Study).(cancer)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A high intake of folate may reduce the risk of breast cancer in women who consume moderate levels of alcohol, Dr. Shumin M. Zhang of Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, and colleagnes reported. Their findings are based on an analysis of...

Monitor fatigue in cancer patients as a vital sign. (Updated Guidelines).
May 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD, FLA. -- Fatigue should be evaluated as a vital sign at every encounter with cancer patients, according to updated treatment guidelines issued at the annual conference of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Many studies...

Genetic tests for cancer used by many physicians. (Study of Primary Care Physicians).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- More than a third of primary care physicians surveyed referred at least one patient for a genetic test of susceptibility to cancer in 1999 or 2000 in a sample of 433 local doctors. In addition, 89% of the responding...

Estrogen ring treats hot flashes, vaginal symptoms. (Lasts for 3 Months).
May 1, 2003... The first intravaginal estrogen product approved to treat hot flashes and vaginal symptoms of menopause will hit the market in June. Femring received federal Food and Drug Administration approval in March for treatment of moderate to severe...

Study questions benefit of combination HRT for quality of life. (Women's Health Initiative).(hormone replacement therapy)
May 1, 2003... Combination hormone replacement therapy does not have any clinically meaningful benefits on overall health-related quality of life in postmenopausal women, according to new data from the Women's Health Initiative. Researchers found no...

Hysteroscopic sterilization widens patient options. (Rapid Patient Recovery).
May 1, 2003... BIG SKY, MONT. -- Hysteroscopic sterilization is a new and appealing option for selected women seeking sterilization, Dr. Eric Bieber said at a meeting on gynecology gynecologic oncology, and reproductive endocrinology. Hysteroscopic...

Coenzyme Q10 for Parkinson's disease. (Alternative Medicine).
May 1, 2003... * The dietary supplement coenzyme Q10 has shown some promise in the treatment of early Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and as migraine prophylaxis. * Larger studies will be needed to determine optimal dosages and to confirm...

Eight herbal agents should be stopped before surgery. (Quiz Patients).
May 1, 2003... BIG SKY, MONT. -- Eight herbal medications each may have a significant impact on patients undergoing surgery. The medications can be singled out because, as a group, they account for more than half of the single-herb preparations sold in...

Oxycodone-related deaths tied to drug abusers, not patients. (Polypharmacy Prevalent).
May 1, 2003... NEW ORLEANS--The vast majority of deaths reported in association with the use of oxycodone were related to drug abuse and not patient use, according to a study conducted by Purdue Pharma L.P. The study conducted in response to intense media...

Patient resources for handheld computers. (Digital Assistance).
May 1, 2003... Overview: Many handheld computer applications are now available for personal health management. Personal medical information databases, electronic reference documents for self-education, and more elaborate disease management products may...

Alpha-lipoic acid eases diabetic polyneuropathy. (Potent Antioxidant).
May 1, 2003... Intravenous racemic alpha-lipoic acid appears to be a useful ancillary treatment for symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy, Dr. Peter J. Dyck and his associates reported. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a potent antioxidant, has been shown to...

Factors predict depression risk in diabetics. (Perception of Health).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Patient perception about the effect of diabetes on overall health, rather than disease chronicity, illness severity, and treatment type, probably plays a key role in the "etiology of depression in individuals with diabetes," reported Dr....

Good collaboration key to depression treatment. (Reduces Hospitalization).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- Patients with depression are more likely to be hospitalized or use the emergency department for care if their physicians have problems collaborating with mental health professionals. That was the finding of a study of 6,450...

Early gains mean better outcomes in depression. (Seven Points on Beck Scale).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... RENO, NEV. -- Patients who experience sudden gains early in the course of depression treatment do significantly better overall, Morgen A.R. Kelly reported at the annual meeting of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. Ms....

High-risk HPV test approved for screening use. (Women Over Age 30).(human papillomavirus)
May 1, 2003... A test that had been used exclusively to detect high-risk human papillomavirus in abnormal cervical smears can now be used to screen for high-risk HPV in women over age 30 who are undergoing a routine Pap test. The Hybrid Capture 2...

Screen-and-treat program feasible for high-grade cervical lesions. (Reduced Loss to Follow-Up).
May 1, 2003... NEW ORLEANS -- A single-visit screen-and-treat approach in patients found to have high-grade cervical lesions is feasible and virtually eliminates loss to follow-up, results of a prospective, randomized trial suggest. Of 1,993...

Optical device may sharpen cervical neoplasia detection. (Investigational Method).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... NEW ORLEANS -- Optical detection of high-grade cervical neoplasia is possible, and detection is better by this method than by colposcopy alone, findings from a pilot study suggest. In 604 patients who were referred for colposcopy due to...

Treating dyslipidemias in chronic kidney disease. (New NKF Practice Guidelines).(National Kidney Foundation)
May 1, 2003... DALLAS -- Patients with chronic kidney disease are at high risk for cardiovascular disease and should be closely monitored for dyslipidemias, according to new evidence-based guidelines presented at a meeting on clinical nephrology sponsored by...

Chronic kidney disease puts bone disorders on the agenda. (Biopsy Rarely Necessary).
May 1, 2003... DALLAS -- Bone disorders are common in chronic kidney disease, but diagnostic biopsies are rarely necessary, according to draft practice guidelines presented at a meeting on clinical nephrology sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation. ...

Second primary lung cancer rate: no decline over time. (After Stage I Non-Small Cell Tumors).
May 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- The occurrence of second primary lung cancers after resection of stage I non-small cell lung cancer is about 2 per 100 patient years, results from a prospective study of 569 patients have found. In addition, of the patients...

Three factors may hurt asthma management. (GERD, VCDS, Poor Adherence).(gastroesophageal reflux disease, vocal cord dysfunction syndrome )
May 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Many factors can make asthma difficult to manage, including allergens, tobacco smoke, and exertion in polluted air,. but there are other culprits, Dr. Darryl Sue said at the annual meeting of the American College of Physicians. ...

Levalbuterol for COPD, asthma. (Bottom Line).(levalbuterol is a cost effective treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma in adults)
May 1, 2003... The use of levalbuterol for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma in adults costs less and is more effective than the use of racemic albuterol, said Dr. Terrance Truitt of Halifax Regional Hospital, South Boston, Va., and his...

MI rate dropped 60% after public smoking ban. (Public Health Implications).(myocardial infarction, the medical term for heart attack)
May 1, 2003... CHICAGO-A ban on smoking in public places in Helena, Mont., led to an immediate 60% drop in the incidence of myocardial infarctions. The surprising finding was observable because all heart disease patients from Helena and two other...

Ximelagatran beats warfarin for stroke prevention in a-fib. (No Need for Coagulation Monitoring).(atrial fibrillation)
May 1, 2003... CHICAGO--Results of the largest-ever clinical trial of stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation show compelling advantages for ximelagatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, over warfarin. Compared with warfarin, ximelagatran (Exanta) was...

Cereal fiber and CVD in elderly. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Elderly people with a high intake of cereal fiber-found mainly in dark breads, bran products, cold cereals, granola, and cooked cereals like oatmeal--are at lower risk for cardiovascular disease than those with a low intake, reported Dr....

Spurious HT in tall athletic men. (Clinical Capsules).(hypertension)
May 1, 2003... Spurious or pseudosystolic hypertension--common in young, tall, athletically active men who are otherwise healthy--does not signal increased cardiovascular risk and should not be treated with antihypertensive medication, said Dr. Azra Mahmud...

Lung toxicity with amiodarone. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Even low-dose amiodarone can induce severe pulmonary toxicity, so clinicians "must remain alert to this possibility," said Dr. Michael C. Ott and his associates at the Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. They reported eight cases of pulmonary...

Consenting adults? (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Most of the acute MI patients who consented to participate in a trial comparing antithrombin regimens did not truly understand what they were consenting to or did not make their decision autonomously said Barbara F. Williams and her associates...

CCB-based therapy rivals [beta]-blocker approach. (New-Onset Diabetes 13% Lower in CCB Arm).(calcium channel blockers)
May 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- A calcium channel blocker-based anti-hypertensive treatment strategy in patients with coronary artery disease is as effective as a [beta]-blocker-based strategy in preventing death, acute MI, and stroke--and significantly better at...

Patients on high-dose steroids face increased risk of CVD. (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Other Indications).(cardiovascular disease)
May 1, 2003... High-dose corticosteroids are associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular events, according to findings from a Scottish population-based study. Such findings may explain, at least in part, why rheumatoid arthritis (RA)...

Dalteparin reduces risk of blood clots by 45% in medical inpatients. (Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin).
May 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- For the first time, low-molecular-weight heparin has demonstrated efficacy for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients who are hospitalized with acute medical conditions. The ability of low-molecular-weight...

Sirolimus-eluting stents for femoral artery lesions. (Encouraging Results).
May 1, 2003... SNOWMASS COLO -- Sirolimus-eluting stents show some promise for the treatment of obstructive superficial femoral artery lesions, although it must be said the results aren't nearly as impressive as in the coronary circulation. That's the...

Cardiologists expand turf in peripheral vascular interventions. (Study of Medicare Data).
May 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Performance of peripheral angioplasty and stent interventions by radiologists and cardiologists increased by 180% between 1996 and 2000, Dr. Eric Rubin reported at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. ...

Infection control might limit spread of SARS. (Travel History Essential).(severe acute respiratory syndrome)
May 1, 2003... Standard infection control precautions may have been key in minimizing the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome in the United States, said Dr. Irwin M. Berlin, chief of pulmonary critical care at Elmhurst (N.Y) Hospital Center. ...

Cheaper antibiotics fine for acute sinusitis. (Similar Quality of Life Gains).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... DENVER--Acute sinusitis symptoms and quality of life improved equally well in 11 patients treated with the third-generation cephalosporin ceftibuten and in 20 patients given the less expensive antibiotics amoxicillin or...

TB guidelines emphasize patient-centered care. (First Revision Since 1994).(tuberculosis)
May 1, 2003... New evidence-based tuberculosis guidelines emphasize the importance of physicians committing to complete treatment of patients. Patient-centered case management is the ideal strategy, whether patients are managed in hospitals, private...

Failure to complete latent TB tx helps spread the disease. (16 Cases in Mississippi).(tuberculosis treatment)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Patients with latent tuberculosis must complete treatment to avoid spreading the disease. The Mississippi State Department of Health investigated a high incidence of TB in Chickasaw County (Miss.)--16 cases between June 1999 and March...

U.S. tuberculosis rate has fallen to a 50-year low. (Racial, Ethic Disparities).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... In the past decade, the total number of reported TB cases in the United States dropped 43.5% to 15,078--the lowest rate since 1953, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet significant racial and ethnic disparities...

Data on metapneumovirus. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The newly discovered respiratory pathogen human metapneumovirus (hMPV) may account for a significant proportion of hospitalizations for respiratory infections. Of 984 adult patients presenting with respiratory illness, 44 were infected...

Azithromycin for ABECB. (Clinical Capsules).(acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A 5-day course of azithromycin was as effective as a 7-day course of levofloxacin for the treatment of acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (ABECB) in a randomized, double-blind study. This was despite growing concerns about...

EBV linked to risk of MS. (Clinical Capsules).(Epstein-Barr virus, multiple sclerosis)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The presence of serum Epstein-Barr virus antibodies was associated with future development of multiple sclerosis in a case-control study. MS risk rose steadily with increasing serum levels of EBV and viral capsid antigen antibodies,...

Anthrax attack study. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Health officials should rethink the official plan for responding to an anthrax attack, according to Lawrence Wein and his associates at Stanford (Calif.) University. They used details from the 2001 anthrax attacks, data from a former...

Anal warts in HIV-positive patients tricky to treat. (Aggressive Therapy Warranted).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Patients with HIV often have anal warts that can be tough to treat, Dr. Toby A. Maurer said at a meeting on HIV management sponsored by the University of California, San Francisco. Aggressive treatment is indicated,...

Physical therapy helps function loss in Kaposi's. (Report on Two Cases).
May 1, 2003... BETHESDA, MD. -- Physical therapy can ease the severe functional impairment often seen with infiltrative Kaposi's sarcoma, Michael O. Harris-Love said at an international conference on malignancies in AIDS and other immunodeficiencies. ...

Efavirenz and nevirapine: which baffles HIV best? (Head-to-Head Trial).
May 1, 2003... BOSTON -- Call it a draw. Neither nevirapine nor efavirenz emerged victorious in a head-to-head comparison of the safety and efficacy of the two nonnudeoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in treatment-naive HIV-infected patients. The...

Partial, full interruptions of HIV treatment considered. (Small, Preliminary Study).
May 1, 2003... BOSTON -- Partial interruption of antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection can help patients who have developed resistance to some, but not all, HIV-fighting drugs in a combination regimen, but the jury is still out on whether full treatment...

Survey shows colorectal ca screening rates still low. (Data for 1997-2001).(cancer)
May 1, 2003... A little more than half of all people in the United States aged 50 years or older underwent screening for colorectal cancer within recommended periods in 2001, according to a large survey that was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control...

Adequate capacity exists to handle colorectal cancer screening recommendations. (National Cancer Institute Survey).
May 1, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- Widespread screening of American adults for colorectal cancer using sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy is probably feasible with current numbers of primary care physicians and gastroenterologists, based on data collected by the...

Living-donor liver transplantation not a panacea. (Donor Organ Shortage Remains).
May 1, 2003... COLORADO SPRINGS -- Living-donor liver transplantation is a remarkably effective lifesaving operation, but it will never solve the donor organ shortage problem, Dr. James F. Trotter said at a meeting of the Colorado Chapter of the American...

Liver chemistry tests. (The Effective Physician).
May 1, 2003... Background One to four percent of the asymptomatic population has elevated serum liver chemistries. The American Gastroenterologic Association's recent clinical guidelines assist in the rational approach to evaluate liver chemistries. ...

Reassessing living-donor liver transplantation. (Donor Death Incident).
May 1, 2003... COLORADO SPRINGS--National fallout continues from last year's New York City living-donor liver transplant scandal. The much-publicized incident involved the death of a 57-year-old newspaper reporter after he donated the right lobe of his...

Single assay can help individualize dosing in IBD. (Azathioprine, 6-Mercaptopurine).(inflammatory bowel disease)
May 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- A one-time measurement of thiopurine methyltransferase enzyme activity is worthwhile prior to prescribing azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine for inflammatory bowel disease, Dr. William J. Sandborn said at the annual meeting of the...

Cholangiography in surgery. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... When physicians perform intraoperative cholangiography in more than 75% of their cholecystectomies, patients have a significantly lower rate of common bile duct injuries, according to a retrospective analysis of Medicare patients. Dr....

Preventing colon neoplasias. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The ingestion of ursodeoxycholic acid is associated with a significant reduction in the relative risk of developing colorectal neoplasia in patients with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, said Dr. Darrell S. Pardi and his...

Diagnosing and treating GERD. (Clinical Capsules).(gastroesophageal reflux disease)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... When gastroesophageal reflux disease causes or contributes to chronic cough, proton-pump inhibitors with or without prokinetic agents can effectively diagnose and treat the disease, said Dr. Robert H. Poe and his associates at Highland Hospital...

Hyponatremia and cirrhosis. (Clinical Capsules).
May 1, 2003... The vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist VPA-985 is effective in treating dilutional hyponatremia in patients with cirrhosis and ascites, reported Dr. Alexander L. Gerbes of the University of Munich and his colleagues. In a randomized,...

Acitretin may prevent squamous cell carcinoma. (Rebound Effect).
May 1, 2003... ASPEN, COLO. -- The vitamin A derivative acitretin shows promise in the prevention of squamous cell carcinoma in kidney transplant recipients, but patients may experience a rebound effect when the drug is discontinued, Dr. Gerald Krueger said...

Drug update: anemia. (Rx).
May 1, 2003... Anemia is gaining recognition as a serious condition that's worth treating early. It occurs secondarily to many illnesses, particularly kidney disease but also cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Anemia also occurs as a result of treating...

TNF-[alpha] blockers not linked to lymphoma risk. (Compared with General RA Population).
May 1, 2003... SILVER SPRING, Mo. -- The risk of lymphoma associated with currently available tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] inhibitors doesn't appear any higher than it is in the general rheumatoid arthritis population, according to postmarketing surveillance...

Hepatoxicity doesn't warrant Leflunomide label change. (Unanimous FDA Panel Vote).
May 1, 2003... SILVER SPRING, MD. -- In a unanimous vote, an expert panel has advised the Food and Drug Administration that changes in the labeling of leflunomide regarding hepatotoxicity are not warranted. After hearing analyses of safety data from the...

New generation of biologic agents for rheumatoid arthritis targets IL-1. (Cytokine Traps).
May 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- New biologic agents under development for treating rheumatoid arthritis take aim at the cytokine inflammatory cascade by targeting interleukin-l in different ways. Unlike the first generation of cytokine inhibitors-etanercept,...

Aspirin maker seeks expanded CV indications. (Preventing First Heart Attacks).
May 1, 2003... Bayer Consumer Care has submitted a citizen's petition to the Food and Drug Administration for expanded cardiovascular indications and labeling for the use of aspirin in men and women who have a 10% or greater 10-year risk of myocardial...

'Bumper crop' of new antiretroviral therapies shows promise for resistant HIV. (Overcoming Resistance Trend).
May 1, 2003... BOSTON -- A protease inhibitor, a human monoclonal antibody, and a peptide fusion inhibitor are among the latest in a "bumper crop" of investigational antiretroviral agents showing potent anti-HIV activity in patients with viral forms resistant...

Immune-based therapies can slow HIV replication. (Experimental Therapies).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... BOSTON -- An interferon-[alpha] agent and a recombinant canarypox vaccine are among the latest experimental therapies to control HIV replication in clinical studies by boosting the immune system. Pegylated interferon alfa-2b significantly...

Flecainide acetate tablets. (Products).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Flecainide acetate tablets are approved for the prevention of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter, and documented ventricular arrhythmias in patients without structural heart disease. Bottles of...

Male fertility test. (Products).
May 1, 2003... FertilMarq, a male fertility diagnostic test for use at home, assesses sperm concentration, providing important information for couples trying to conceive a child. Couples evaluate two separate semen samples in the privacy of their homes. The...

Avoiding patient harm. (Products).
May 1, 2003... The book "The Physician's Promise: Protecting Patients From Harm" discusses the physician's role in preventing patient harm through the analysis of the root causes of events such as operative and postoperative errors, treatment delays, and...

Knee support. (Products).
May 1, 2003... The Thermoskin four-way elastic knee support is designed to provide even compression and support to painful, weak, or injured knees. The fabric allows ventilation. For more information, contact United Pacific Inc., 803-735-0034,...

Prolastin distribution. (Products).
May 1, 2003... Bayer Direct makes it easier for patients with [[alpha].sub.1]-antitrypsin deficiency to get Prolastin, [alpha.sub.1]-proteinase inhibitor (human), therapy even when they move or change doctors. The program offers direct delivery and disease...