Internal Medicine Alert – February 29, 2012
February 29, 2012
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Muscle Complications Due to Statins
A small percentage of patients taking statins may develop muscle symptoms (pain and weakness) but elevated CK is rare. -
Optimal Weight Loss Diet to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk
The authors conclude that after weight loss, a low glycemic index and, to a lesser extent, low-protein diet may reduce inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease in overweight adults. -
Sweat Your Heart? Sauna for CHF
The prevalence of chronic heart failure has steadily increased with improvements in survival rates for cardiac patients; however, heart failure remains a disorder whose typically progressive course worsens quality of life, and thus far has defied most conventional medical approaches. New ideas leading to new treatments are needed. The researchers behind this small intervention trial examined the effect of repeated sauna therapy on exercise tolerance in people with congestive heart failure and found significant benefits. -
Solvents and the Risk of Parkinson's Disease
Exposure to specific solvents, and trichloroethylene in particular, is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. -
Care Options for Breast Cancer Survivors
A 57-year-old postmenopausal librarian, who is 1-year post diagnosis of a stage II invasive cancer of the right breast, is found to be estrogen- and progesterone-receptor positive, and Her2neu negative with one positive axillary node. -
Azilsartan Medoxomil and Chlorthalidone (Edarbyclor®)
A new angiotensin ii receptor blocker (ARB) and the thiazide diuretic, chlorthalidone, has been approved as a fixed combination for the treatment of hypertension. -
Clinical Briefs By Louis Kuritzky, MD
I have been a student of atrial fibrillation (AF) for some time, but had never come upon the term "subclinical" AF until this New England Journal of Medicine publication.