Articles Tagged With:
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Who Needs Antithrombotic Therapy After Atrial Fibrillation Ablation?
An international trial of rivaroxaban vs. low-dose aspirin started one year or more after successful atrial fibrillation catheter ablation has shown no significant differences in a composite outcome of stroke, systemic embolism, or covert cerebral emboli by head magnetic resonance imaging and no differences in major bleeding but shows an increase in clinically relevant minor bleeding with rivaroxaban.
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CREST-2 Boosts Modern Medical Therapy for the Initial Treatment of Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis
CREST-2 consisted of two parallel randomized trials in patients with ≥ 70% asymptomatic carotid stenosis, showing that intensive medical therapy alone produced very low stroke rates, with no significant additional benefit from carotid endarterectomy and a modest absolute risk reduction with carefully performed transfemoral carotid stenting over four years. These findings support intensive risk factor control as the default strategy and suggest reserving revascularization for highly selected patients at experienced centers.
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Comprehensive Data Analysis Validates the Effectiveness and Safety of COVID-19, RSV, and Influenza Vaccination
Respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
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Ablation vs. Drugs for Ventricular Tachycardia
A sub-analysis of the VANISH2 trial, which compared catheter ablation (CA) to antiarrhythmic drug therapy for the suppression of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy has shown that in the sotalol therapy group, those randomized to CA less frequently experienced the VT-based composite endpoint. Conversely, in the amiodarone group, the primary endpoint was similar in the CA- and drug therapy-randomized patients, but amiodarone produced more adverse events.
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Knee Osteoarthritis and Degenerative Meniscal Tear: Lessons from Two 2025 Trials
Two high-quality, randomized studies demonstrate the effectiveness of unsupervised exercise programs for knee osteoarthritis and degenerative menisical tear.
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Ethical Considerations of Electronic Consent in Stroke Clinical Trials
eConsent improves trial enrollment, efficiency, and diversity by enabling remote participation and reducing burdens. Ethical benefits include timely interventions and broader representation. Barriers remain, but adoption can accelerate research and enhance equity in stroke care and beyond.
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Research Ethics Boards/IRBs May Have Gaps in Expertise
Institutional review boards often lack specialized expertise for emerging research areas. Solutions include recruiting diverse members, using consultants, and ongoing training. Boards must ensure protocols justify risks, uphold ethical principles, and adapt to new technologies while maintaining participant protections.
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Ethical Considerations if Patient Undergoing Surgery or Invasive Procedures Has DNR Order
Managing do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders during surgery is complex. Guidelines stress patient autonomy and preoperative discussions. Misinterpretation of DNR can lead to under-treatment. Structured workflows, education, and ethics consults help align care with patient goals while minimizing perioperative risks.
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Ethical Concerns Surround Accessibility and Documentation of Advance Care Plans
Advance care planning often is lacking, especially among marginalized groups. Values-based conversations, standardized documentation, and clinician prompts improve planning. Clear workflows and education help ensure patient wishes are honored, reducing conflicts and ethical dilemmas during critical care.
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Ethical Challenges with EFIC Studies
Exception from Informed Consent (EFIC) allows emergency research without prior consent but raises ethical concerns. Best practices include rigorous protocols, community engagement, and digital consultation tools to balance patient rights with advancing care in time-sensitive, high-risk scenarios.