Authors

Sex differences in ischemic stroke among patients with atrial fibrillation

We examined data from a large cohort of subjects with atrial fibrillation to determine whether men and women had different risks for atrial fibrillation-related thromboembolism. Women with atrial fibrillation who were not taking warfarin had a 60% higher rate of stroke than did men, independent of other clinical risk factors for stroke. When taking warfarin, both women and men had significant reductions in stroke risk without differences by sex in the rates of bleeding complications. These findings support the addition of female sex to traditional stroke risk stratification schemes for assisting in antithrombotic decision making for patients with atrial fibrillation.

FDA Plans to Revise Standards for Children's Cold Medicines-September 2008

OTC cough and cold medicines for children will be the focus of an upcoming FDA special hearing.

Diabetes-related poor outcomes in chronic heart failure: Complex interactions with sex and age

This propensity-matched study, in which patients with and without diabetes were well balanced in all measured baseline characteristics, including traditional risk factors and comorbidities, found that diabetes was associated with increased mortality and hospitalization in ambulatory patients who had chronic, mild-to-moderate heart failure and were receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. These findings also highlight the sex- and age-related variations in the effect of diabetes in these patients.

Predicting survival in elderly patients with heart failure

Over a period of 14 years, we followed 282 patients aged 70 years or older who were hospitalized with heart failure. Median survival was 2.5 years, but 25% of patients died within 1 year, and 25% survived for at least 5 years following hospital discharge. A simple 7-item risk score based on data readily available at the time of hospitalization effectively stratified patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk categories for subsequent mortality.

Explore America: Visit Wisconsin Dells

The Evolving Nature of Physician Use of Internet-based Communication with Patients

If there was any remaining question regarding the revolutionary impact of the Internet on communication between physicians and patients, a recent report provides a most provocative answer. In a survey conducted by Manhattan Research, "Physicians in 2012: The Outlook on Health Information Technology", it was noted that 39% of physicians use some form of electronic media such as e-mail, instant messaging, and secure messaging to communicate with their patients.

PARADOX Study Quantifies Clinical, Social, and Economic Burden of Hypoparathyroidism

Study results show patients with the disorder report a sever burden of illness, with high rates of hospital and emergency room visits and significant negative impact on activities of daily living.

Why Your Brain Is Better in Love

Talking about love, lust, scent, and symmetry with author Jena Pincott.

Topics in Gastro: Trouble Swallowing and Chronic Diarrhea Explained

Ciaran P. Kelly, Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School discusses common and uncommon issues related to swallowing.

Atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery

We assessed preoperative cardiac physiology using echocardiography in patients undergoing cardiac surgery to identify predictors of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Subjects with enlarged left atrial volume had a 5-fold greater risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation, independent of age and other risk factors, than those without enlarged left atrial volume. Left atrial volume appears to be a powerful tool to stratify patients according to risk before surgery and to effectively target preventive therapy.

A Noble Way for a Doctor to Spend Retirement

Now's the Time to Tweak Your Portfolio

New Framingham Heart Study global cardiovascular risk instruments: Helping physicians optimize their patients' cardiovascular care

While most patients are concerned about their risk for myocardial infarction, it is important to remember that the risk factors for death from all cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and coronary artery disease, are similar.

Principal Study Investigator Discusses Rigel's ITP Therapy Approval

The FDA approved fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate (Tavalisse) tablets for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia. RDR discusses with Dr James Bussel.

Comprehensive lifestyle modification and blood pressure control

Lifestyle recommendations for the prevention and treatment of hypertension include weight loss, reduced sodium intake, increased physical activity, limited alcohol intake, and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. The 18-month results of the Prospective Registry Evaluating Myocardial Infarction: Events and Recovery (PREMIER) randomized clinical trial showed that individuals with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension can make and sustain many of these lifestyle changes over the long term, thereby reducing their risk of cardiovascular disease.

CMSC 2012: Procedure Developed to Quickly Eliminate Teriflunomide from the Plasma

Cholestyramine and activated charcoal can be used to virtually eliminate the long half-life oral investigational multiple sclerosis drug, teriflunomide, from the plasma in 11 days.