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The DANAMI-2 investigators, representing 29 hospitals and a patient base reflecting 62% of the Danish population, have reported on a trial assessing whether randomization to either fibrinolytic therapy or transport to an interventional facility results in differing major cardiovascular rates following acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
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Stroke with no determined cause, or cryptogenic stroke (CS), accounts for nearly 40% of all ischemic strokes. Traditionally, it has been held that CS carries a more benign prognosis than other stroke subtypes. However, until this recent study, the long-term risk of recurrent stroke in this large segment of the stroke population had never been prospectively studied.
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This study suggests that the risk conferred by an inherited thrombophilia for ischemic stroke is likely to be low overall and almost nonexistent in some ethnic groups such as individuals of African or African-Caribbean descent.
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Genetic investigations have made considerable progress in identifying mutations associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The identification of genetic alterations in patients with sporadic ALS, however, has lagged behind. The present study is a major advance in investigating the etiology of ALS.
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The FDA has approved vardenafil (LevitraBayer and GlaxoSmithKline) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men. Vardenafil joins sildenafil (Viagra) as the only 2 drugs approved for this indication in this country.
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Thymectomy, though widely recommended for the treatment of autoimmune myasthenia gravis, remains a treatment without controlled prospective studies to support its role. Such a trial has been recommended by the American Academy of Neurology and is being developed.
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Thomson American Health Consultants offers "Extended-use Contraception: What You Should Know About Seasonale and Other Options," a free audio conference on October 9 from 2-3 p.m. ET.
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In 1597, the herbalist John Gerard reported that an extract of the sage plant, is singularly good for the head and brain and quickeneth the nerves and memory. More than 400 years later, British investigators have put Gerards observation to the test by examining the effects of an essential oil derived from Spanish sage on memory in normal volunteers and patients with Alzheimers disease.
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The triptan wars are heating up with 7 competitors now on the market all backed by the heaviest of the pharma heavyweights, and clinicians wonder, Which is the best triptan? This study looked at eletriptan response rates in a cohort of migraine patients previously unresponsive or intolerant to sumatriptan.
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When is it safe to sit behind the wheel if youve just had a seizure? In this time-trend study, an analysis was undertaken to determine if lowering the interval from 12 months to 3, as was done in Arizona, increased motor vehicle accident frequency.
