Internal Medicine Alert – September 15, 2007
September 15, 2007
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Another Cherished Clinical Dogma Bites the Dust
Ambulatory oxygen probably should not be routinely prescribed for patients with COPD who do not have a stable, resting arterial PaO2 less than 55 mm Hg. -
Yogurt for Diarrhea
Patients receiving a probiotic yogurt drink were protected from antibiotic associated bacteria. -
Searching for Thyroid Disease
Fully 95% of serum thyrotropin (TSH) measurements were normal in screening tests ordered by primary care physicians. Half of abnormal TSH labs became normal upon repeat measurement. If the initial TSH result was normal, there was only a 2% chance it would become abnormal within 5 years. -
Ambrisentan Tablets (Letairis™)
A second, orally active, endothelin receptor (ET) antagonist has been approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. -
Clinical Briefs By Louis Kuritzky, MD
Currently prevailing scientific opinion denies any relationship between diet and acne: teenagers throughout the land rejoice over their freedom to eat as much pizza, popcorn, chocolate, and soda (the four food groups from age 14-20) as they wish. But the last word may not yet be in. -
ECG Review: An Octogenarian in Heart Failure
12-lead ECG obtained from an 81-year old woman with new onset heart failure, but no chest pain. -
Pharmacology Watch
Adding an anticoagulant to aspirin is of no value in patients with peripheral artery disease, older adults with coronary disease benefit from aggressive statin therapy, simvastatin may reduce the risk of dementia and Parkinson's disease by as much as 50%, MiraLax is safe for long-term use in patients with chronic constipation, the FDA green-lights Avandia, brings back Zelnorm for limited use, and recommends approving Evista for breast cancer prevention.