Gallbladder Removal Through the Mouth Causes Few Adverse Effects
Surgeons from the Legacy Health System in Portland, Oregon, and Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, reported on the first 7 transgastric natural orifice transluminal surgery (NOTES) cholecystectomies ever performed on humans here at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons 2008 Annual Scientific Session and Postgraduate Course.
Cauterizing Arteries in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Can Be Both Unnecessary and Dangerous
Almost since the inception of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, surgeons have been employing devices that concentrate electrical or vibrational energy to heat and thereby cauterize arteries. However, for more than 7 years, Brij Agarwal, MD, MBBS, MS, and colleagues have been avoiding the use of these energy devices. Dr. Agarwal is a senior surgeon at Sir Ganga […]
Community-Associated MRSA Strains May Be Supplanting Traditional Nosocomial Strains
Community-associated strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were responsible for an increasing proportion of all nosocomial MRSA cases over a 7-year period at a large inner-city hospital, according to a retrospective study reported in the March 15 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Risk Factors Identified for Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury in Critically Ill Patients
By Will Boggs, MDTransfusion factors and patient characteristics contribute to the risk of acute lung injury (ALI) following blood transfusions in critically ill patients, according to a report in the November 1st issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. "Critically ill patients, their families, and physicians need to be aware that […]
Models Predict Success With Growth Hormone Treatment
Mathematical models, particularly those incorporating both growth and endocrine data, can predict which short children will benefit from treatment with growth hormone (GH), according to a new study.
Characteristics of Patients Prescribed Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Characteristics of Patients Prescribed Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers, or the Combination at an Urban Medical CenterGhania Masri, MD; Kristi Bledsoe, PharmD; Carlos Palacio, MD Abstract Background: The realization that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors do not provide complete blockade of angiotensin II synthesis has resulted in an increased use of combinations of ACE inhibitors […]
ACP Addresses Potential Outcomes of Pay for Performance
News Author: Laurie Barclay, MDCME Author: Charles Vega, MD The American College of Physicians has issued recommendations to offset the potential adverse effects of pay-for-performance programs and to redirect the focus to the patient. Their position paper, which highlights the ethical implications of pay for performance and potential effects on the clinician-patient relationship, is published […]
Risk for Second Nonlymphoid Neoplasms in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Constantin A. Dasanu, MD, PhD; Doru T. Alexandrescu, MDAbstract Major advances have occurred in understanding the biology, immunology, and modalities of treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in the last decade. B-cell CLL is the most common type of leukemia occurring in the US and Western nations. B-cell CLL is characterized by progressive defects in […]
Opioid and Nonopioid Therapies for the Management of Pain
Lynn R. Webster, MD, FACPM, FASAM IntroductionThe evolving need of pain patients for safe, effective analgesia is driving research into new therapeutic modalities and fresh approaches to familiar treatments. Innovation, involving both opioid and nonopioid pain therapies, dominated discussion at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine held February 7-10 in […]
Subject: FDA- MedWatch- Aprotinin Injection (marketed as Trasylol)
Subject: FDA- MedWatch- Aprotinin Injection (marketed as Trasylol)- Patient Enrollment In The Aprotinin Treatment Group Arm of BART Study Stopped MedWatch – The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program FDA informed healthcare professionals of the Data Safety Monitoring Board's recommendation to stop patient enrollment in the aprotinin treatment group arm of the Blood […]
