Nesiritide, Scios' intravenous recombinant form of human B-type naturetic peptide, has been widely used for the treatment of congestive heart failure in hospitalized patients. That may change with the publication of a new study that suggests that patients with acutely decompensated heart failure treated with nesiritide have a higher death rate at 30 days compared with patients who are not treated with the drug.
Concealed renal insufficiency is common and contributes to adverse drug reactions from hydrosoluble medications.
There has been enormous controversy regarding the benefit/safety relationship of the COX-2 inhibitors, which were initially introduced in 1999. This is a cautionary tale.
Patients with an effective regurgitant orifice of at least 40 mm2 should promptly be considered for cardiac surgery.
The FDA has approved a new intravenous antifungal agent.
Management of asthma in America remains problematic, with as many as 5,000 deaths annually in recent years.
