Internal Medicine Alert – July 15, 2009
July 15, 2009
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How to Get More Smokers to Quit?
A higher intensity of comprehensive disease management for smoking cessation, similar to other chronic diseases, may yield superior results. -
New Thoughts on Type 2 Diabetes Control
A review of large randomized clinical trials for type 2 diabetes controlling HbA1c as low as 6.5-7.0% showed many consequences, but uncertain benefits. A new approach to type 2 diabetes should include individualized HbA1c targets along with cardiovascular risk reduction reflecting patients' values and preferences, and caution is urged in using these HbA1c values as performance measures to indicate inadequate care. -
The Polypill and Heart Disease
A polypill consisting of low doses of thiazide, atenolol, ramipril, simvastatin, and aspirin administered to 2053 subjects in 50 centers in India was effective in reducing multiple risk factors and cardiovascular risk. -
Tolvaptan Tablets (Samsca™)
The FDA has approved the first oral, selective vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist for the treatment of hypervolemic and euvolemic hyponatremia. -
Clinical Briefs By Louis Kuritzky, MD
The ACTIVE Investigators. Effect of clopidogrel added to aspirin in patients with atrial fibrillation. -
ECG Review: How Many Findings?
The ECG above was obtained from a 61-year-old woman. There are a number of abnormal findings on this tracing. How many can you identify? Depending on the clinical history, which of these findings might be cause for immediate concern? -
Pharmacology Watch
Clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitors; adverse events with tamsulosin after cataract surgery; new guidelines for persistent pain in the elderly; and FDA Actions.