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The timing of mitral valve surgery in patients with severe organic mitral regurgitation (MR), but without symptoms, is controversial.
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Current indications for cardiac-resynchronization therapy (CRT) require that patients have New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or Class IV heart-failure symptoms. However, long-standing ventricular dyssynchrony can lead to left-ventricular remodeling and decreased left-ventricular ejection fraction.
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Dabigatran etexilate is an oral compound that is converted after absorption by a serum esterase to dabigatran, a direct competitive inhibitor of thrombin.
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Erratic intraindividual INR values on chronic warfarin therapy are thought to be due to variability in vitamin K intake in the diet. Thus, de Assis et al from Brazil hypothesized that a dietary, vitamin K management strategy would result in improved long-term anticoagulation as compared to traditional systems based upon drug-dose adjustments alone.
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Depression and pregnancy, new vaccine recommendations from the CDC, cortico-steroids and/or antivirals for Bell's palsy, rasagiline and Parkinson's disease, and FDA Actions.
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Many clinical trials have confirmed the benefit of early invasive therapy for high-risk patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, the optimal timing of cardiac catheterization in this group remains unknown.
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The effects of coffee on the heart remain incompletely described. There are conflicting reports of coffee's effects on the incidence of coronary artery disease, heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation, and glucose homeostasis.
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Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) is an FDA-approved drug for the treatment and prevention of influenza. With the anticipated emergence of seasonal influenza virus cases in October, and the recent discoveries of novel H5N1 (avian) and 2009 H1N1 (swine) influenza viruses, it is imperative to understand how to appropriately dose oseltamivir.
