-
Evidence-based updates in primary care medicine By Louis Kuritzky, MD
-
Given the high prevalence of MVP in the general population, a true association with SCA risk has been controversial.
-
-
-
Dabigatran etexilate, a direct thrombin inhibitor, is one of a new class of oral anticoagulants that was recently demonstrated in a Phase 3 trial to be effective for the prevention of stroke or systemic embolism (SSE) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
-
Heart failure (HF) is associated with a high mortality rate, debilitating symptoms, impaired quality of life, and major financial costs.
-
The relationship between patients' prognosis and age in decisions regarding implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in the primary prevention of sudden death in heart failure patients is poorly understood and not addressed in randomized device trials. Thus, Dewland and colleagues created a survey that was sent to 3000 randomly selected primary care physicians and general cardiologists nationwide.
-
Mouse studies have found that dietary choline is associated with increasing levels of plasma trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and increasing risk of atherosclerosis — a process that is likely mediated by gut microbiota. Two human clinical trials support these findings. The first demonstrates that phosphatidylcholine (PC) increases plasma levels of TMAO. Following broad-spectrum antibiotic use (and subsequent reduction in gut flora), production of TMAO was reduced after a PC challenge. A large population study demonstrates the connection between TMAO and cardiovascular disease.
-
CAM use by children with cancer being treated at a hospital in Turkey was common and led to several perceived benefits — such as increased blood values, morale, and general condition — but did not affect overall survival.
-
