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The Oldest Old Get Suboptimal Care for ACS

Novel Treatment for Refractory Angina Using a Coronary Sinus Reducer Device: A Glimmer of Hope

Refractory angina is a loosely defined term generally referring to the persistence of life-impacting angina despite maximal antianginal medications and, when possible, coronary revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] or coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG]). Numerous novel pharmacotherapies and mechanical interventions have been proposed, and studies conducted, to treat patients with refractory angina.

Year 2011 in Review: Top 10 Stories in Cardiology

Treating Concussions Better: An Interview with Brain Injury Expert Joseph F. Waeckerle, MD

MD Magazine recently spoke with Joseph F. Waeckerle, MD, FACEP, Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, and Editor Emeritus, Annals of Emergency Medicine, who has served for more than two decades on the NFL committees on brain injury.

High clopidogrel maintenance dosage in patients with diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have decreased platelet inhibition and decreased responsiveness to standard doses of clopidogrel compared with patients without diabetes. In this pilot study, we showed that increasing the maintenance dose of clopidogrel to 150 mg leads to enhanced platelet inhibition compared with the standard dose of 75 mg in patients with type 2 diabetes with suboptimal responsiveness. The clinical implications of these findings are unknown, however, and need to be evaluated in large-scale clinical trials.

Tech Sectors: Biotechnology: The Treatment of Palmar-plantar Erythrodysesthesia

A potential new candidate uses uracil to combat this cancer treatment side effect.

Antiviral Treatment vs. Herpes Zoster Vaccines for Postherpetic Neuralgia

This review and meta-analysis assessed whether antiviral treatment given during the acute herpes zoster rash is effective at preventing postherpetic neuralgia in patients with a first-time case of shingles.

Early statin therapy: Do let that door hit you on the way out

There is now substantial evidence that treatment with statins improves clinical outcomes in patients with acute as well as chronic coronary heart disease, and in older1 as well as younger patients

Iatrogenic dilated cardiomyopathy and spectrum of current treatment modalities

Our increasing ability to intervene in high-risk patients—with lower risks and greater chances for successful outcomes—is felt across the broad spectrum of cardiovascular disease. This is particularly evident in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

HRT Linked with Breast and Ovarian Cancers

Two separate studies show the relationship between hormone replacement therapy and women's cancers.

Multiple Genetic Variants Likely Underlie Early Onset Drusen Maculopathy

Whole genome sequencing suggests both common and rare variants contribute to early onset drusen maculopathy.

Should You Be Concerned with the AMT?

ASH Interview Series

The December issue of Oncology & Biotech News featured highlights from the 51st American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition. We wrap up our ASH coverage this month with interviews on multiple myeloma with Brian G.M. Durie, MD, medical director and co-founder of the International Myeloma Foundation; chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with Robert J. Kreitman, MD, from the National Cancer Institute; and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with Francis J. Giles, MD, Cancer Therapy and Research Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

Never too old for statins

Elderly patients with a history of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are at higher risk for subsequent cardiovascular events than younger patients.