AHA 2008: No effect of B vitamins on vascular risk
November 10th 2008The final nail has been driven into the homocysteine-lowering coffin as a means to prevent recurrent coronary events. The results from the homocysteine-lowering arm of the SEARCH (Study of the Effectiveness of Additional Reductions in Cholesterol and Homocysteine) trial found no benefit to folic acid combined with vitamin B12
JUPITER: Rosuvastatin reduces events in patients without hyperlipidemia but with elevated hsCRP
November 10th 2008Rosuvastatin treatment of patients with better than average lipid profiles but with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) resulted in a 44% relative risk reduction in cardiovascular events and a 20% reduction in all-cause mortality, reports Paul Ridker, MD (pictured), lead investigator for the JUPITER Trial Study Group. JUPITER was an investigator-initiated trial sponsored by AstraZeneca.
Ischemia-specific serum biomarkers identified, may lead to blood test that will predict MI
November 10th 2008Johns Hopkins researchers have identified five proteins that may serve as an early warning of impending myocardial infarction (MI) in patients presenting to emergency rooms with ischemia symptoms. A blood test to detect all, or a subset of these proteins, could be used by physicians and paramedics in the 12- to 24-hour window before ischemia causes tissue damage or death.
AHA 2008: Look at recovery following an acute coronary syndrome as a continuum
November 10th 2008Recovery following an acute coronary syndrome is a phase in a larger cardiovascular disease continuum, and prevention of downstream complications needs to begin immediately following the event, says Shirley M. Moore, PhD, RN.
Vitamins and other supplements: Pharmacists should collaborate with trainers
November 10th 2008Physical and personal trainers recommend supplements and OTC products to their clients without considering possible interactions with other supplements or meds. By becoming an information resource to trainers, pharmacists can take the lead in promoting safe use of these products.
Hospital-acquired diabetic complications: How pharmacists can help prevent them
November 10th 2008Medicare has stopped paying hospitals for blood conditions caused by poor inpatient glycemic control. Health-system pharmacists can help prevent these conditions and reduce uncompensated expenses by insisting on proper protocols.
Pharmacy tobacco sales ban upheld by San Francisco judge
November 10th 2008A San Francisco judge denied Philip Morris' request for a temporary restraining order against the ban on pharmacy sales of tobacco products. The ban will affect 52 of 54 Walgreens as well as other chain pharmacies such as Rite-Aid and Longs.
Anticoagulant safety practices call for pharmacist supervision
November 10th 2008The Joint Commission's anticoagulant safety goal goes into effect Jan. 1, 2009. Physicians, pharmacists, and nurses at health-care systems around the country are collaborating to improve best practices and to put more stringent measures in place.
FDA reports nationwide recall of mislabeled ReliOn insulin syringes
November 6th 2008The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is notifying health care professionals and patients that Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Covidien) is recalling one lot of ReliOn sterile, single-use, disposable, hypodermic syringes with permanently affixed hypodermic needles due to possible mislabeling. The use of these syringes may lead to patients receiving an overdose of as much as 2.5 times the intended dose, which may lead to hypoglycemia, serious health consequences, and even death.