Medscape Medical Students Headlines

First Patients Receive Cardiac Stem Cells for Treatment of MI

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 18:20:38 EDT

US doctors have injected autologous cardiac stem cells into MI patients for the first time, in a phase 1 trial. Separately, other researchers are homing in on bone-marrow extract, rather than bone-marrow cells, as a possible therapeutic for MI. Initial experiments in mice have been encouraging.
Heartwire

Contemporary Views of HCM Featured in JACC Focus Issue

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 18:20:38 EDT

The reports include insights about stratification for risk of sudden death and about structural features that echocardiography may often miss but can be seen at magnetic resonance imaging and appear to distinguish inherited from hypertensive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Heartwire

ASMBS 2009: Scoring System Helps Reduce Risk for Complications After Bariatric Procedures

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 17:06:49 EDT

Of the patients who were evaluated using a risk stratification system, fewer were readmitted to the hospital 30 days after a bariatric procedure.
Medscape Medical News

First Maintenance Therapy for Advanced Lung Cancer Approved by the FDA

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 15:51:40 EDT

Medscape Medical News

American Dietetic Association Endorses Vegetarian Diets

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 15:33:37 EDT

An updated position paper concludes that such diets, if well-planned, are healthful and nutritious for all age groups and can help prevent and treat chronic diseases.
Medscape Medical News

How Can I Conquer My Fear of Surgical Mistakes?

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 13:02:30 EDT

A certain amount of concern may actually help prevent complications.
Medscape Med Students

ACC Aghast at Proposed Cuts to Cardiology Payments in Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2010

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 12:04:32 EDT

The CMS announced its planned 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule this week, which includes proposals that could result in cuts ranging from 10% to more than 40% in Medicare payments for various cardiology services, says the ACC.
Heartwire

Higher DNA Methylation in Cesarean-Delivered Newborns May Be Linked to Later Disease Development

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 11:43:57 EDT

Increased disease risk in cesarean-delivered individuals may reflect epigenetic influences on the immune system related to perinatal stress.
Medscape Medical News

Depression Symptoms Linked to Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation, Heart Failure

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 10:02:09 EDT

After adjustment for other factors in patients with atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure who receive optimal treatment, elevated depression symptoms are linked to cardiovascular mortality.
Medscape Medical News

New Report Finds Flaws in Sunscreen Protection, Safety

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:56:05 EDT

Sunscreens are improving, but 3 of 5 brand-name products either do not protect the skin from sun damage sufficiently, contain hazardous chemicals, or both, according to a report by the watchdog organization Environmental Working Group.
WebMD Health News

Progenitor Cells Identified From Human Fetal Hearts

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:18:49 EDT

Human cardiovascular progenitor cells isolated from human fetal hearts can give rise to striated- and smooth-muscle cells as well as endothelial cells, researchers report.
Heartwire

FDA Approves Dronedarone for Atrial Fibrillation

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:18:49 EDT

Dronedarone is envisioned as a safer alternative to amiodarone, a widely used antiarrhythmic agent in patients with AF.
Heartwire

ARMYDA-RECAPTURE Published: Statin Reload Before PCI

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:18:49 EDT

The rate of major adverse cardiac events was significantly lower among patients "reloaded" with atorvastatin 80 mg 12 hours prior to PCI and 40 mg just before the procedure than in those who did not receive the additional statin boost.
Heartwire

New Meta-Analysis: Statins of Benefit in Primary Prevention

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:18:49 EDT

A new meta-analysis including some of the more contemporary statin trials has found that the agents significantly improve survival and reduce coronary and cardiovascular end points in primary-prevention populations, a benefit that extends to all subgroups.
Heartwire

Barriers to Optimal Termination of Resuscitation in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Identified

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:18:48 EDT

Insurance-reimbursement rules, state laws, and the public's false perceptions of survival after cardiac arrest may impede emergency medical workers from using best resuscitation attempts, a study finds.
Heartwire

Prolong Your Life. Run Hard, Run Fast -- If You Can.

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 12:04:51 EDT

Henry Black, MD reports from a study in Hypertension that exercsie capacity is the strongest predictor of all-cause mortality.
Medscape Cardiology

SNM 2009: Lemon Juice Reduces Radiation Exposure to Parotid

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:49:17 EDT

Thyroid cancer patients are able to maintain salivary gland function with the addition of lemon juice to therapy.
Medscape Medical News

Ferumoxytol Approved to Treat Iron Deficiency Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:03:54 EDT

Ferumoxytol injection may be more effective than oral iron for anemic patients in all stages of chronic kidney disease.
Medscape Medical News

ISSTDR 2009: Internet-Based Testing Improves Screening for Chlamydia Among Men

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:55:32 EDT

Internet-based chlamydia testing at home widens access to young people, and new DNA hybridization technology provides results at point of care.
Medscape Medical News

Bone Mineral Density Monitoring May Not Be Needed Up to 3 Years After Starting Bisphosphonates

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 14:30:04 EDT

A study suggests that monitoring bone mineral density in postmenopausal women in the first 3 years after starting treatment with a potent bisphosphonate is unnecessary and may be misleading.
Medscape Medical News