Clinical
RSSArticles
-
Examining the Effects of Cannabis on the Heart
A nationwide Danish study of new prescriptions for medical cannabis for chronic pain compared to control patients has found that the 180-day incidence of atrial fibrillation/flutter is two-fold higher, but the absolute number of arrhythmias is small.
-
Lifestyle Interventions and HbA1c in Prediabetic Patients
A comprehensive analysis of medical records shows that referral of patients with prediabetic risk factors to an intensive lifestyle change program results in significant improvements in critical cardiovascular risk factors, including hemoglobin A1c levels and obesity; these changes are more pronounced in men than in women.
-
Rapid Reversal of Anticoagulation Reduces Mortality from Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Because the numbers of patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage are far lower than those with ischemic stroke, it has been difficult to accumulate a large enough number of patients to clearly analyze the relationship between the time of the hemorrhage and the time to treatment. We need to answer the important question: Does rapid treatment result in a better outcome?
-
Outcomes Are Better for Acute Stroke Patients Who Arrive Rapidly at Endovascular-Capable Centers
The SELECT2 trial was structured to identify which patients with large ischemic strokes would benefit from endovascular thrombectomy and analyzed the effect of direct arrival at a thrombectomy-capable center compared to transfer from a primary stroke center.
-
Endovascular Thrombectomy Is Used Much Less for Stroke Associated with Cardiac Interventions
Recent cardiac surgery is a strong contraindication to having intravenous thrombolysis for ischemic stroke. Endovascular thrombectomy, if appropriate, would be the best treatment for these patients. To obtain additional understanding of the prevalence of ischemic stroke and treatment with EVT following cardiac surgery, these investigators queried a large claims-based database.
-
Intravenous Tenecteplase for Stroke After 4.5 Hours Does Not Improve Outcome
The TIMELESS study was developed to evaluate the effect of treatment with tenecteplase 4.5 to 24 hours after stroke onset in patients with large artery occlusion who subsequently would go on to endovascular thrombectomy.
-
Does Needle EMG Interfere with MR Neurography or Myography Interpretation?
In this carefully designed prospective clinical study, needle electromyography did not have any significant effect on the interpretation of magnetic resonance (MR) neurography or MR myography or alter the diagnosis.
-
Longitudinal Follow-Up of Patients with Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis
In this retrospective, observational study of 38 patients with autoimmune encephalitis, using standard clinical assessment rating scales, the only predictor of poor outcome was muscle weakness at symptom onset. Most patients had long-term problems with cognitive and mood disorders.
-
Post-Operative Delirium May Involve Altered Brain Glucose Metabolism
Post-operative delirium is a major health problem that occurs in about half of older patients who undergo surgery with general anesthesia. This prospective study from Norway of patients undergoing emergency hip repair surgery demonstrated from spinal fluid analysis that patients with delirium have abnormalities in brain glucose uptake and metabolism and have an early shift to ketosis in the spinal fluid.
-
Mosquito-Borne Diseases in the 21st Century
Hundreds of millions of people across the globe are affected by mosquito-borne diseases each year, and travelers who do not exercise caution and take preventive measures are at especially high risk. Mosquito-borne diseases are found mostly in tropical and subtropical destinations, ranging from America to Africa and Asia. Chikungunya virus, dengue, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis virus, malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever, and Zika virus are particular sources of concern for travelers venturing into regions where these vectors abound. This article will focus on these mosquito-borne illnesses, especially the flaviviruses.