• cIMT progression poor predictor of cardiovascular outcomes

    Updated: 2012-07-28 22:51:54
    TweetCarotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is an ultrasound marker of early atherosclerosis.  Increasing cIMT thickness has been shown to correlate with an increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular events in general populations, independent of other major risk factors.  However, whether a change in cIMT thickness over time affects the risk of cardiovascular events has not been systematically [...]

  • The Three Musketeers

    Updated: 2012-07-27 15:30:25
    The Musketeers were a junior unit of the military branch of the Royal Household of France and were created in 1622. Three of them - Athos, Porthos and Aramis – are prominently featured in Alexandre Dumas’s novel of 1844. They were “all for one and one for all.” As I have blogged about before, it took [...]

  • Timing of surgery for endocarditis

    Updated: 2012-07-27 08:31:38
    TweetBacterial endocarditis continues to carry a substantial risk of death.  Whilst surgical intervention in patients with incipient heart failure is recognised as efficacious, the timing and indications for surgical intervention to prevent systemic embolism remain controversial.  In this small, single centre study Kang et al compared the clinical outcome of early surgery versus conventional treatment [...]

  • Is anticoagulation safe in patients at risk of falls?

    Updated: 2012-07-27 08:24:59
    TweetOral anticoagulants have been demonstrated to reduce the incidence of, and mortality secondary to, embolic strokes associated with atrial fibrillation.  Despite this, oral anticoagulants are underprescribed with some estimates suggesting as few as 40% of eligible patients receive therapy.  The risk of falls is the most commonly cited reason for not providing oral anticoagulation, although [...]

  • Let the games begin

    Updated: 2012-07-24 19:18:35
    This week the Olympic games begin.  I have always been fascinated at the concept of training for years to compete for a brief moment in time.  Most people exert that energy to do something for a lifetime, and the athletes do it for once around the track or one minute in the pool.  I applaud [...]

  • Healthcare and Schizophrenia (Part III)

    Updated: 2012-07-19 19:32:57
    Here is a brief rundown on what you get and what it is going to cost you in the new world of healthcare. On the plus side: 2.5 million children of parents with insurance get to keep that insurance until age 26. Preventive care is not paid for directly (Nothing is free.). It is estimated [...]

  • Healthcare and Schizophrenia (Part II)

    Updated: 2012-07-17 21:38:22
    In 1993, the Mandate was first seen as a legislative act called the Health Equity and Access Reform Today Act.  This act was a Republican sponsored alternative to the Democratic Clinton led healthcare bill.  It seems that in 1993, the Republicans would at least offer an alternative, not just say NO!  Among the sponsors of that [...]

  • It’s not just about taking out the garbage

    Updated: 2012-07-10 20:32:07
    Two recently published studies highlighted what the authors think is an emerging problem.  They seem to have the data to document it.  The problem seems to be loneliness over the age of 60. The two studies are published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (Arch Intern Med 2012; DOI:10.1001/archinternmed.2012.2782).  They used two data bases and [...]

  • Glucose-Insulin-Potassium shows some benefit in acute coronary syndrome

    Updated: 2012-07-06 07:53:56
    TweetIntravenous glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) is postulated to be beneficial in acute ischaemic syndromes via two mechanisms: by providing metabolic support to ischaemic myocardium, and by preventing arrhythmias and cardiac arrest due to ischaemia-related metabolic derangements.  Importantly, these benefits are most likely to be seen if GIK is started as soon as possible after the onset of [...]

  • Whoops! (Part II)

    Updated: 2012-07-05 19:48:11
    The study of diet is difficult in humans.  It has been done on mice, and as I have blogged about in the past, the whole concept of the hormones known as Sertins arise from the partial starvation of mice, which makes them live 30% longer. Humans however are like herding cats.  Particularly if you are [...]

  • Whoops! (Part I)

    Updated: 2012-07-03 19:36:26
    “As a child, my family’s menu consisted of two choices: take it or leave it.”                                                                                                               –Buddy Hackett “We are all dietetic sinners; only a small percentage of what we eat nourishes us; the balance goes too waste and loss of energy.”                                                                                                                  –William Osler “I will not eat oysters.  I want my food dead-not sick, [...]

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