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This study, following on the heels of the recent negative trial in postpercutaneous coronary stenting patients, suggests that we have more to learn about the role of folic acid and homocysteine in CAD.
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Current supportive heart failure therapy has reduced morbidity and mortality, but adverse outcomes are still frequent. Clearly, an approach based upon eliminating the cause of myocardial dysfunction would be advantageous. This study is an attempt to pursue this line of therapy for viral myocarditis using the antiviral agent INFB.
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Sutton and colleagues from New Zealand explored the concept that natriuretic peptide levels (ANP, BNP) may aide in the determination of the severity of mitral regurgitation.
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Sweeney and colleagues from the Mode Selection Trial report on the effects of ventricular pacing in patients with sinus node dysfunction.
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This report is a detailed analysis of the approximate 6000 diabetics in the Heart Protection Study, which investigated the efficacy of simvastatin (simva) and antioxidant vitamins.
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Nasally Administered Flu Vaccine Comes to United States; Paxil: Not Recommended for Children; Prilosec Granted OTC Status; Finasteride and Prostate Cancer; Xolair: First Biologic Agent for Asthma; West Nile Virus Update; Study Shows COX-2 Inhibitors Appear Safe with Aspirin in Asthma Patients; Lamictal Approved for Bipolar Disorder
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Increase in Blood Glucose Concentration During Antihypertensive
Treatment as a Predictor of Myocardial Infarction; Adverse Drug Events
in Ambulatory Care; Prevention of Hip Fracture by External Hip
Protectors; Rapid MRI vs Radiographs for Patients with Low Back Pain;
Effectiveness of Anticholinergic Drugs Compared with Placebo in the
Treatment of Overactive Bladder; A Randomized Trial of a Low
Carbohydrate Diet for Obesity
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Emergency practitioners must understand patients rights regarding informed consent. Rapid diagnosis and treatment can be lifesaving, and any delay in obtaining consent may have devastating consequences to the patient. Emergency physicians have an obligation to make decisive and rapid treatment decisions. In addition, they must know when patients can refuse treatment and when consent is not needed. Finally, patients can and do refuse treatments that may be lifesaving. The emergency physician must ensure that the patient is competent to make these decisions. A mistake will bring the wrath of disgruntled family members who undoubtedly will bring suit for negligence. This issue of
ED Legal Letter illustrates the issues that emergency physicians encounter regarding informed consent and the exceptions that may apply.
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