Medicine | Page 273 of 378 | SpiritIndia.com

Heart Disease :: MEDAL – No increase in cardiovascular events with COX-2 inhibitor

Researchers in the randomized Multinational Etoricoxib and Diclofenac Arthritis Long-term (MEDAL) study program found identical rates of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis treated with either the COX-2 inhibitor or the traditional NSAID. Christopher Cannon, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, Boston, noted that this appears to contradict earlier observational studies associating COX-2 inhibitors with higher rates of thrombotic cardiovascular events.

Heart Disease :: CHICAGO study – Two blood sugar drugs evaluated

Another late-breaker presented here was the appropriately named CHICAGO Study, in which 462 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly selected at Chicago heart clinics to receive treatment with pioglitazone or with glimepriride.

Heart :: Chest blows can be fatal even with protective gear

Youth league coaches and parents may feel reassured when their athletes wear commercially made protective gear, but researchers in Minneapolis warn that standard equipment may not protect the heart adequately against hard contact.

Heart Disease :: Stent wars ease into stent discussions

Acrimonious debate over the use of bare metal stents (BMS) versus drug-eluting stents (DES) is ending. Four new studies presented during a Monday news conference are quickly turning what had been open warfare between BMS and DES advocates into more measured discussions.

Heart Disease :: Anticoagulant-antidote combo safe in humans

A novel anticoagulant and its complementary antidote was proven safe in the first human trial, say researchers from Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C. The system could be valuable, holding promise that clinicians could titrate anticoagulation, as it may not require monitoring.

Stem Cell :: Stem cell research takes promising new directions

Four research studies presented at Scientific Sessions point to new directions that offer the first promising results in several years.

Heart Disease :: PCI for occlusion after MI not always beneficial

Logic would hold that an occluded infarct-related artery should be open before the patient is discharged. But the chair of the Occluded Artery Trial (OAT) presented data here showing that stable patients undergoing routine PCI for occluded arteries three to 28 days after MI had virtually the same number of major cardiovascular events as similar patients receiving medication alone.

Heartburn :: Holiday season could ring in ‘heartburn season’

Making merry is often synonymous with overindulging — whether from holiday feasts or rich desserts or alcoholic beverages — ringing in the holiday season as “heartburn season.”

Septic Shock :: New study finds on/off switch for septic shock

According to a new study, septic shock — a dangerous, often deadly runaway immune response — is controlled by a genetic on/off switch. The research also suggests how a drug might temper sepsis. This is the first time this genetic mechanism has been revealed in an experimental animal.

HIV :: No link found between erectile medications and HIV

Erectile dysfunction (ED) medications known as Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors have been used by millions of men as safe and effective management options associated with high rates of patient and partner satisfaction.