Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension More Severe in Carriers of BMPR2 Mutation
Among patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), those with germline mutations in the gene encoding bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) present at an earlier age and with more severe hemodynamic compromise, according to findings from a French study. Dr. Marc Humbert of Universite Paris-Sud 11 and colleagues screened 223 consecutive patients with PAH for […]
Drug Misuse Partially Accounts for Excess Mortality in Scotland
Mortality rates in Scotland are substantially higher than in England and Wales – the so-called "Scottish effect." New research suggests that loss of life related to problem drug use accounts for a significant portion of the excess death rate.
CK19 MRNA Expression Identifies Lymph Node Metastases Intraoperatively
Measurement of CK19 mRNA expression intraoperatively can be used as a rapid diagnostic method to detect lymph node metastases in women with breast cancer, according to a report in the June 1st issue of the International Journal of Cancer.
New AHA Obesity Statement Urges Clinicians to Think Beyond Clinical Treatment and Prevention
Think bigger: that's the thrust of the American Heart Association's (AHA) new scientific statement on obesity prevention [1]. To have any meaningful impact on the obesity epidemic, clinicians need to go beyond clinical prevention and treatments for obesity and use influence and advocacy to effect social and environmental change, authors of the statement say.
Association Between Critical Care Physician Management and Patient Mortality
Association Between Critical Care Physician Management and Patient Mortality in the Intensive Care UnitLevy MM, Rapoport J, Lemeshow S, et alAnn Intern Med. 2008;148:801-809 Critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) are thought to benefit from more intensive healthcare delivery from nurses, physicians, and other providers (eg, critical care pharmacists).[1-15] The authors examined […]
Gastric Bypass Can Improve Renal Function in Patients With Morbid Obesity
Patients with morbid obesity who also have chronic renal disease (CRD) may improve or stabilize renal function after gastric bypass, according to a study presented here at the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery 25th Annual Meeting. CRD is common in obese patients, and chronic renal failure is more than 7 times higher in […]
Low-Risk Food Pattern May Reduce Risk for Diabetes
Dietary patterns affect the risk for type 2 diabetes to a greater extent vs intake of specific food groups, according to findings from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), reported in the June 10 Online First issue of Diabetes Care.
Post-Myocardial Infarction Cardiogenic Shock: What’s New?
Cardiogenic Shock: Current Concepts and Improving OutcomesReynolds HR, Hochman JSCirculation. 2008;117:686-697 Cardiogenic Shock: Basics and Clinical ConsiderationsGowda RM, Fox JT, Khan IA Int J Cardiol. 2008;123:221-228 Historically, cardiogenic shock (CS) was nearly always fatal after myocardial infarction (MI). Mortality rates were consistently reported at approximately 80% until the 1990s, when the mortality improved but only […]
Do Immigrants Help or Hurt US Healthcare?
Immigration is a hot topic these days, and its impact on the US healthcare system has been studied and debated from various angles. So it's not surprising that healthcare entrepreneur and business consultant David E. Williams has weighed in on the issue. But you might be surprised at his particular views.
Food Aid Missing Critical Ingredients
As food aid is mobilized in response to the global food price crisis, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warns that sending adult food to feed young children will not save them from the risk of malnutrition. Today MSF urged donors to ensure their aid includes special foods for young […]
