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Studies demonstrate that angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as captopril reduce mortality and cardiovascular morbidity for patients with myocardial infarction (MI) complicated by left ventricular systolic dysfunction, heart failure, or both. The authors surmised that since angiotensin II can be generated despite ACE inhibition, further efficacy can be obtained if receptor antagonists are combined with ACE inhibitors.
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In this controlled trial from Europe, investigators randomized 940 AMI patients to either GIK (476 patients) or no infusion (464 patients) prior to undergoing reperfusion via percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.
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Moving to clear up the considerable confusion of the last flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has drafted new guidelines for health care workers who receive the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), Hospital Infection Control has learned. The CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is expected to soon release new guidelines that will allow the LAIV nasal spray vaccine to be used more liberally in health care settings with fewer restrictions on immunized workers.
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Shedding of virus after use of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in adults occurs the first few days after vaccination, but is minimal by one week after immunization. The data suggest that the recommendations for LAIV use in health care workers could be modified to include separation from patients for, at most, seven days after vaccination, reports Tom Tolbert, MD, MPH, instructor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN.
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In a strategy somewhat reminiscent of the state-by-state battle to get needle safety laws enacted, consumer advocates are taking their cry for open hospital infection rate reporting to one legislature at a time. Pennsylvania and Illinois have enacted laws, and bills are under discussion in a variety of other states.
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When it comes to treating lipids in patients with heart disease, the mantra may be, The lower the LDL, the better. Data from the multicenter Reversal of Atherosclerosis with Aggressive Lipid Lowering (REVERSAL) trial indicate that aggressive reduction of atherogenic lipoproteins prevents progression of disease.
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Survival rates were similar in patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer who underwent IDS or PDS. The rates of surgical resection and morbidity were reduced after IDS. IDS can be safely used in unresectable advanced-stage ovarian cancer.
