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Aliskiren and standard therapy not associated with reduced CV death or HF rehospitalization

Among patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; a measure of how well the left ventricle of the heart pumps with each contraction), initiation of the medication aliskiren in addition to standard therapy did not reduce cardiovascular death or HF rehospitalization at 6 or 12 months after discharge, according to a study published online by JAMA.

12 Mar 2013

Results from Orion Pharma’s ORM-12741 phase IIa study on AD

A new drug may improve memory problems in people with moderate Alzheimer's disease, according to a phase IIa study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 65th Annual Meeting in San Diego, March 16 to 23, 2013. The drug is called ORM-12741.

12 Mar 2013

Addition of niacin to statin does not improve HDL function

While two large clinical trials recently showed that adding niacin to statin therapy failed to improve clinical outcomes despite a significant increase in HDL-C levels, little is known about exactly why the increased HDL-C levels did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke.

12 Mar 2013

$Sildenafil does not improve exercise capacity in HF patients with preserved ejection fraction$

Sildenafil does not improve exercise capacity in HF patients with preserved ejection fraction

Among patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (a measure of heart function), administration of sildenafil for 24 weeks, compared with placebo, did not result in significant improvement in exercise capacity or clinical status, according to a study published online by JAMA.

12 Mar 2013

$Sildenafil does not help heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction$

Sildenafil does not help heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction

A commonly used erectile dysfunction drug, sildenafil, doesn't help patients who have heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, a condition in which the heart's lower chambers are stiff and cannot relax and fill fully between beats.

12 Mar 2013

Study identifies why prazosin may cause lightheadedness and fainting

A new study led by a Canadian research team has identified the reason why prazosin, a drug commonly used to reduce high blood pressure, may cause lightheadedness and possible fainting upon standing in patients with normal blood pressure who take the drug for other reasons, such as the treatment of PTSD and anxiety.

12 Mar 2013

DSMB recommends discontinuation of Aeterna Zentaris’ perifosine Phase 3 study for MM

Aeterna Zentaris Inc. today announced that an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board has recommended discontinuing the ongoing Phase 3 study comparing the efficacy and safety of perifosine to placebo when combined with bortezomib (Velcade) and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

12 Mar 2013

NCI-sponsored study to evaluate rosuvastatin for prevention of colon cancer

With March designated as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute is enrolling people who were recently treated for colon cancer in a polyp prevention study. This National Cancer Institute (NCI)-sponsored study evaluates the cholesterol drug, rosuvastatin (Crestor), as a treatment to reduce the risk of colon cancer.

11 Mar 2013

Aarbepoetin alfa does not improve anemic heart failure patients' health

Researchers from Cleveland Clinic and Sweden-based Sahlgrenska University Hospital have found that a commonly used drug to treat anemia in heart failure patients -darbepoetin alfa - does not improve patients' health, nor does it reduce their risk of death from heart failure.

11 Mar 2013

Inclacumab reduces damage to heart muscle during angioplasty

A single dose of an investigational anti-inflammatory drug called inclacumab considerably reduces damage to heart muscle during angioplasty (the opening of a blocked artery), according to a recent international clinical trial spearheaded by Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, Director of the Research Centre at the Montreal Heart Institute, affiliated with the University of Montreal.

11 Mar 2013

Tranexamic acid role in coronary bypass surgery

Tranexamic acid balances the increased bleeding risk associated with recent clopidogrel use in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, shows a randomized trial.

7 Mar 2013

Vitamin B12 and folate alleviate negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia

Adding the dietary supplements folate and vitamin B12 to treatment with antipsychotic medication improved a core symptom component of schizophrenia in a study of more than 100 patients.

7 Mar 2013

FDA accepts AMAG’s Feraheme sNDA for review

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the company's supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for Feraheme (ferumoxytol) Injection for Intravenous (IV) use, which was submitted to the FDA in December 2012.

6 Mar 2013

Drug to relieve pain of feline osteoarthritis identified

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam significantly improves nighttime physical activity in cats with osteoarthritis, indicating its potential as a pain reliever in this feline population, report Canadian researchers.

6 Mar 2013

Benefits of diastolic function improvement in heart failure questioned

The importance of left ventricular diastolic function improvement in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction has been questioned, after researchers found that treatment with spironolactone resulted in some functional improvements but failed to impact on patients’ exercise capacity.

5 Mar 2013

Omalizumab scratches the itch for urticaria patients

The monoclonal antibody omalizumab seems to be effective at relieving symptoms for patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria who have not responded to H1-antihistamine therapy, report US researchers.

5 Mar 2013

Mirabegron reduces frequency of incontinence episodes in phase III trial

In a new phase III trial mirabegron, a β3-adrenoceptor agonist, given once daily for 12 weeks, reduced the frequency of incontinence episodes and number of daily urinations, and improved urgency and nocturia in adults with overactive bladder compared to those in a placebo group.

5 Mar 2013