Authors

Association Between Use of Beta-blockers and Outcomes in HF Patients with Preserved EF

It is well established that among patients with the clinical syndrome of heart failure, approximately half have preserved systolic function, known commonly as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Although originally considered to be a syndrome that pathophysiologically involves diastolic dysfunction, ongoing investigation suggests that although diastolic abnormalities may be present in many patients, other aspects of pathophysiology likely also contribute to symptoms. This study examined the association of beta-blockers with mortality in patients with HFpEF.

Loving Littleton and the Glory of the Granite State

Dark, Itchy Leg Lesions in a Middle-Aged Man

This 44-year-old man presented to a clinic with multiple dark lesions on his lower extremities. When the lesions first appeared eight months ago, they were slightly raised, pink in color, and intensely itchy, but after repeated excoriation, they have become increasingly dark. The patient reports that a biopsy was inconclusive and creams and an oral medication have not helped his condition. In addition to his leg lesions, there is some involvement of the thigh, buttocks, and penis. He denies any past medical history or other medications. What condition does this man have?

Noninvasive assessment of coronary artery bypass grafts with 64-slice computed tomographic angiography

We evaluated the accuracy of the 64-slice computed tomography (CT) angiography scanner in subjects who were scheduled to undergo invasive angiography for possible stenosis in coronary artery bypass grafts. Results showed that the improved resolution of CT scanners with 64-slice technology allowed for a precise delineation of bypass graft occlusion or stenosis. It permitted an accurate noninvasive assessment of bypass grafts, even in subgroups of subjects with suboptimal scan conditions, such as those with arrhythmias or higher heart rates.

Opinion: Lifesavers Are Killing With Costs

The market price for gene therapy greatly exceed the costs of the gene editing development and the equipment required for the task.

Assessing risk through "inspired" care

This retrospective subanalysis of the Adenosine Sestamibi SPECT Post-Infarction Evaluation (INSPIRE) trial shows that early adenosine sestamibi stress testing is not only safe early after myocardial infarction (MI), but can also be very useful to identify patients at very low risk for events in the first year after discharge.

Drug-eluting stents and diseased saphenous vein grafts: Long-term risk in RRISC

Progressive disease in saphenous vein grafts remains a major short-term and long-term clinical challenge after surgical revascularization.

Stress and Burnout: A New Approach

As every practitioner knows, it is difficult to support staff while deliberately seeing fewer patients to save one’s own soul.

The iPad Makes its Impact on Health Care

C-reactive protein and hypertension

We assessed whether C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations predicted future risk of hypertension in a cohort of young adults. Results showed that CRP levels do not independently predict risk of incident hypertension after accounting for body mass index. Further research is needed in the area of inflammation and hypertension, with a special focus on the effect of obesity and age-related changes on this process.

Top 5 Rare Disease News of the Week—July 8, 2018

Stay up-to-date on the latest rare disease news by reading the top 5 articles of the week.