Clinical News
What are the current and emerging strategies to improve low HDL-C levels?
November 8th 2004A: Dyslipidemia is a well-known risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Although decreasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels has long been the primary objective of the management of this disorder, emphasis has also been placed on finding new therapeutic targets as a means to further decrease cardiovascular risk, including agents that raise high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Low HDL-C, which was previously defined as < 35 mg/dl but recently changed to < 40 mg/dl, is classified as a major risk factor for CHD, whereas high HDL-C (? 60 mg/dl) is beneficial and considered a negative risk factor.
DVT guidelines address travel and other issues
October 25th 2004According to the American Heart Association, between 600,000 and one million Americans are affected by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) annually. As many as 200,000 will die of pulmonary embolism (PE), which is more than from breast cancer and AIDS combined.
Heart research focusing on obesity, atrial fib, diabetes
October 25th 2004Obesity, atrial fibrillation/flutter, and diabetic nephropathy, which are clearly on the rise worldwide, were the key areas of attention at the European Society of Cardiology 2004 annual meeting, held in Munich, Germany, recently.
Clinical advancements in treating breast cancer
September 27th 2004Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, second only to lung cancer, and the most common malignancy diagnosed in women. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates approximately 215,990 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. It is estimated that 40,110 women will die from breast cancer in the United States this year alone.
CPOE systems need clinical R.Ph. involvement, study finds
May 17th 2004Computerized physician order entry reduces prescribing errors but such systems also require advanced clinical decision support and clincial pharmacist involvement, according to a Northwestern Memorial Hospital study of prescribing errors.
