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Timely recognition and treatment of myocardial infarction (MI) are crucial if we are to achieve optimal outcomes for our patients. Silent ischemia, or the absence of classical symptoms of ischemia, may delay the diagnosis.
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This report attempts to catalogue the ballooning number of cases of C difficile infection (CDI) in the United States using available resources, including data collected from the IDSA Emerging Infections Program (which has a catchment area of 111 acute-care hospitals and 310 nursing homes); the 2010 National Health and Safety Network data, which covers 711 acute care hospitals in 28 States; and data derived from 3 CDI prevention programs in 3 different states.
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Recent efforts to treat a patient in hospital with acute pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) were hampered by a lack of available injectable trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
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A new topical preparation for the treatment of head lice has been approved by the FDA. Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone antibiotic that has been used orally both on and off label for head lice since 2001.
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Aspirin can reduce the risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction, but not mortality, in people without coronary vascular disease, at the expense of increased risk of bleeding. It should not be routinely recommended.
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Zinc deficiency is defined as a serum zinc level < 60 mg/dL. Unfortunately, there is some question about the reliability of zinc levels to accurately reflect zinc status, since some persons with prototypic symptoms of zinc deficiency (loss of appetite, diarrhea, hair loss, delayed wound healing, and smell and taste disturbances) have normal zinc levels.
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The FDA has approved a once-weekly treatment for type 2 diabetes. The new product is a subcutaneously administered extended-release form of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, exenatide. Exenatide extended-release is marketed by Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Alkermes PLC as Bydureon.
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There do not appear to be any safety issues with the long-term use of statins.
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