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Understanding, Valuing The Medical Journey to Weight Loss

The paradigm of obesity is complex and requires a multi-disciplinary approach, but it is one of the most gratifying experiences for both the physicians and patient when they see the results of weight loss.

PROMISE III: Substantial Amputation-Free Survival With LimFlow TADV in CLTI

Mehdi Shishehbor, DO, PhD, discusses the 6-month results from his recent study, confirming the efficacy of the LimFlow System in patients with CLTI.

5 Quick Ways to Become A Better Patient Communicator

Re-establishing the doctor-patient bond is critical, especially in an era of more informed patients and increasing physician burnout.

Cardiac-Related Syndromes that Mimic Ischemia in the Pediatric ECG

Can a Smoking Cessation Drug Cause Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events?

When encouraging and supporting patients to quit smoking, varenicline is unlikely to increase the risk of neuropsychiatric adverse events such as suicide, depression, and aggression, even in patients with pre-existing psychiatric illness.

Contemporary cardiac imaging in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Features of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) include obstruction at the left ventricular outflow tract (caused by a markedly thickened proximal interventricular septum) and systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve. The case discussed here illustrates several classic features of this disease including clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and noninvasive and invasive management.

Antithrombotic treatment of high-risk elderly patients hospitalized with atrial fibrillation

We assessed the pattern of use and the effectiveness of antithrombotic therapy in a cohort of high-risk elderly patients hospitalized for atrial fibrillation, with data derived from prescription, hospitalization, and mortality databases from 3 linked registries. Results showed that antithrombotic therapy was underused, even in patients with no comorbid conditions. In addition, patients exposed to antithrombotic therapy had a significantly lower mortality rate. The collection of epidemiological data by record linkage represents a flexible and readily available tool for monitoring and improving routine clinical care.

Nonfasting triglycerides and ischemic heart disease in men and women

Triglyceride levels are usually measured after the patient has fasted, and then exclude remnant lipoproteins. Except for the first few hours of the morning, individuals are usually in a nonfasting state for most of the day. We investigated whether nonfasting triglyceride levels predicted the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic heart disease, and death in the general population. Results showed that increased nonfasting triglyceride levels were associated with an increased risk of MI, ischemic heart disease, and death.

In Our Brave New World, Health 2.0 Is Changing How Physicians Communicate with Patients

The boom of social networking should make it easier for physicians and patients to communicate with one another. But reimbursement, liability, and privacy concerns are getting in the way. How can these obstacles be overcome? Read on.

A New Era in Treating Chronic Hepatitis C

SAPPHIRE II trial results show sustained virologic response in 96% of treatment-experienced patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C who were treated with interferon-free, triple-drug regimen.

Stroke, TIA, and determining "plaquetivity"

This is the largest study of excised carotid plaques to date. All patients were symptomatic. Although not all plaques could be analyzed for each category (which excluded 94 plaques from cap analysis), this remains the largest histological study of its kind.

Efficacy of Beta-Blockers in Patients with Heart Failure Plus Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) often coexist. The use of beta-blockers in HF patients has a class 1A recommendation in both the European and American guidelines. In current guidelines for heart failure therapy, the recommendation for beta-blockers is not restricted to patients with sinus rhythm, and includes all HF patients.

Horses and What They Teach Physicians