Internal Medicine Alert – March 15, 2006
March 15, 2006
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Pharmacology Watch
Treating Opioid-Dependent Patients with OAT; Long-Term Effects of Warfarin Use; Statins Multiple Benefits; FDA Actions -
This Cup is Way Less than Half Full
Three simultaneously published reports from the Women's Health Initiative demonstrate that a low-fat diet did not reduce the risk of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, or cardiovascular disease over 8 years of follow-up. -
Under Pressure to Heal an Ulcer?
Healing of Stage II-IV pressure ulcers is associated with use of moist dressings and adequate nutrition. An additional factor for Stage III and Stage IV ulcers is cleansing with soap and water or saline. -
S. aureus: The Nose Knows
In 2001-2002, an estimated 89.4 million individuals in the United States were nasally colonized with S. aureus and 2.3 million with MRSA. -
Pharmacology Update: Rotavirus Vaccine, Live, Oral, Pentavalent (Rota Teq®)
The FDA has approved a live, oral, vaccine for the prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants. An earlier vaccine approved for this indication (RotaShield®) was withdrawn in 1999 due to an increased risk of intussusception. In a large trial, of more than 70,000 children, risk of intussusception was not observed with the new vaccine. The new oral rotavirus vaccine will be marketed by Merck & Co., Inc. as Rota Teq®. -
Clinical Briefs By Louis Kuritzky, MD
Use of High-Dose Acyclovir in Pityriasis Rosea; Rimonabant in Overweight or Obese Patients; Watchful Waiting vs Repair of Inguinal Hernia in Minimally Symptomatic Men -
ECG Review: Those First 4 Beats
The ECG in the Figure was obtained from a 70-year-old woman in heart failure. There are at least 6 findings that we feel are worthy of mention. Can you identify them? Clinically, what is your concern?