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The optimal duration of oral anticoagulation therapy after an initial symptomatic deep venous thrombosis remains unknown. Siragusa et al assessed patients by ultrasonography for the presence of residual vein thrombosis (RVT) after three months of anticoagulation for a DVT. Those with RVT were randomized to 9 additional months of anticoagulation versus discontinuation. Among the 70% with RVT, prolonged anticoagulation showed only a non-significant trend for reducing recurrent DVT. For the 30% without RVT, all of whom stopped anticoagulation after three months, only one of 78 patients (1.3%) developed a recurrent DVT. For select patients, the lack of RVT after initial anticoagulation identifies patients in whom anticoagulation may be safely discontinued. The optimal duration of anticoagulation for higher risk patients, including those with RVT, remains undefined.
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Blockage of the harmful effects of tissue plasminogen activator by imatinib (Gleevec) might improve ischemic stroke outcomes.
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Although the ECG is key in the triage of suspected ST wave elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), it is imperfect.
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Just-presented research at the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City indicates that adult male circumcision continues to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV through heterosexual intercourse for at least 3.5 years.
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While female condoms may be a powerful tool in preventing transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), women need education to use them effectively. Results from a newly published study indicate that skills training can increase female condom use and the overall level of protected sexual acts.
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While you might know your work in family planning is important, new research confirms it. Approximately 1.4 million unintended pregnancies and 600,000 abortions are averted each year in the United States each year due to family planning services.
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The Bush administration announced in August that it was introducing a new regulation on the topic of providers' "conscience" or "refusal" rights.
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Talk with your patients about fraudulent drugs sold over the Internet as treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to six U.S. companies and one foreign individual for marketing unapproved and misbranded drugs over the Internet to U.S. consumers for STD prevention and treatment.
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What is your clinic's policy when it comes to getting a signed informed consent for HIV testing? By eliminating required written consent for HIV testing at the San Francisco Department of Public Health Medical Center, the average monthly rate of HIV tests has increased by 4.38 per 1,000 patient-visits, with a 67% increase (from 8.9 to 14.9) in the monthly average number of new positive HIV tests.
