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Comparing a Keogh Plan and a SIMPLE IRA

Methadone Dosing in Opioid Treatment Programs: Use the Evidence

The most successful opioid treatment programs and the most successful patients in those programs use evidence-based dosing of methadone. Many studies over the last 40 years show patients do better on adequate doses of methadone. They have better outcomes when they're on enough methadone to block physical withdrawal signs and symptoms than when they're on insufficient doses.

The Clinical Impact of Incorrect Inhaler Use

Proper diagnostics is key in healthcare, but patient education on management and medication use can lead to empowerment that unlocks optimal health outcomes.

Prediction of coronary artery disease in patients with diabetes and albuminuria

We developed a set of equations to predict the risk or probability of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) in 10 years among American Indians. The equations are based on the significant risk factors identified in the Strong Heart Study, a longitudinal study of cardiovascular disease in American Indians. The equations can be used in patient education and to evaluate the efficacy of CAD prevention and intervention programs.

Novel approaches to rhythm control in atrial fibrillation: The role of inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia, accounting for approximately one third of all patient discharges with arrhythmia as the principal diagnosis and the greatest number of hospitalization days for arrhythmia each year.

Cardiovascular morbidity in hypertensive patients with persistent atrial fibrillation

We conducted a substudy of the Rate Control Versus Electrical Cardioversion (RACE) study to evaluate cardiovascular morbidity, mortality, and the outcome of rate and rhythm control treatment in subjects with and without hypertension with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Prasugrel: An antiplatelet on the horizon

Statins and cancer in the elderly

Recent observational studies have suggested that statins have a protective effect against cancer. However, long-term statin users were shown to be healthier, less frail, and more adherent to therapy and screenings. We conducted a cohort study to evaluate the effect of statins on several common cancers in a large elderly population.

Cholesterol fractions and heart disease mortality in older men

The importance of blood lipids in the risk of ischemic heart disease in older people is unclear; as a result, cholesterol-lowering drug therapy is not widely prescribed for older individuals without diagnosed cardiovascular disease. We conducted a study to determine the relationship between death from ischemic heart disease and the level of cholesterol, cholesterol fractions, and apolipoproteins

AAN 2011: Trial Shows Slow-release Zinc Is Safe but Ineffective in Alzheimer's Disease

Slow-release formulation of zinc is safe for Alzheimer's disease patients, and effectively raises serum zinc levels, but does not benefit cognition.

Sing a Song of Your Own Wealth Creation

Make a Disaster Preparedness Checklist

Symptomatic carotid plaques and ischemic symptoms

We assessed the histologic features of 526 carotid plaques from consecutive patients undergoing endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis and found a high prevalence of coronary-type plaque instability, with strong correlations between macrophage infiltration and both cap rupture and time since stroke. Temporal trends were much weaker after a transient ischemic attack than after a stroke, with a tendency for plaque features to persist for a longer period, suggesting heterogeneity in the underlying pathological mechanisms.

Failing with women: How clinical trials fail our largest subgroup

The current guidelines for the management of heart failure in women are based upon data collected from studies predominantly enrolling men. However, because important differences exist in the sex-based pathogenesis of and prognosis for heart failure, the current risk-benefit analyses that guide the evidence-based management of heart failure in women demands prospective assessment.

Pioglitazone and recurrent myocardial infarction in patients with diabetes and a previous myocardial infarction

We analyzed a subgroup of 2445 subjects with diabetes, macrovascular disease, and previous myocardial infarction (MI) from the Prospective Pioglitazone Clinical Trial in Macrovascular Events to determine the effects of pioglitazone on mortality and macrovascular morbidity. Pioglitazone was shown to decrease the occurrence of adverse cardiac outcomes, including recurrent MI, in these high-risk subjects. This additional benefit of pioglitazone in patients with diabetes and a previous MI suggests that it may be appropriate to include this medication in the management strategy of patients with MI.

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