Internal Medicine Alert – September 15, 2015

September 15, 2015

• The Spice of (Prolonged) Life

  ABSTRACT & COMMENTARY: Habitual consumption of spicy foods is associated with reduced mortality independent of other risk factors for death. Hot stuff!

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• Are Premature Ventricular Contractions Dangerous?

  A higher frequency of premature ventricular contractions was associated with a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction, an increase in incident congestive heart failure, and an increase in mortality.

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• Antibiotics for Acute Appendicitis

  A randomized, multicenter clinical trial compared antibiotic therapy to surgery for uncomplicated acute appendicitis and found most patients who received antibiotics did not require appendectomy during the 1-year follow-up period.

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• Sacubitril and Valsartan Tablets (Entresto)

  A new option for heart failure incorporates two drugs with different mechanisms of action.

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• Clinical Briefs

  Treating symptomatic venous thromboembolism with warfarin; extending the window of anticoagulation after pulmonary embolus; and stroke accelerates long-term process of cognitive decline.

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• ECG Review: Is There Complete AV Block?

  The simultaneously-recorded 3-lead rhythm strip in the figure was obtained from a 75-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with syncope. She was diagnosed as being in complete (third-degree) AV block. Do you agree with this interpretation?

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