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Older adults likely to have destination memory failures

Older adults are more likely to have destination memory failures - forgetting who they've shared or not shared information with, according to a new study led by Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute.

31 Aug 2010

Death toll expected to rise as flooding subsides in some parts of Pakistan

Pakistani government officials say the death toll from the country's flooding stands at more than 1,600 and it could rise significantly as flood waters recede and more bodies are identified, CNN reports (8/28). "There is no official estimate of the number of missing because mass displacements have made accounting for them almost impossible," according to Reuters (Haider, 8/29).

31 Aug 2010

ESC/EACTS releases new Myocardial Revascularisation guidelines

Multivessel and left main disease have been long considered as mainstay indications for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). This recommendation, however, has been strongly challenged on several occasions. The release of new Myocardial Revascularisation guidelines by ESC and the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons (EACTS) at the ESC Congress on Sunday 29 August is likely to shed new light on what has become a controversial topic.

31 Aug 2010

Marathon running does not cause sustained heart damage

A study of 167 amateur runners at the 2006 and 2007 Berlin marathons is lowering concerns that this type of activity leads to sustained heart damage, particularly among older competitors. Marathons are becoming an increasingly popular challenge for amateur runners wanting to test their endurance over the classic 26-mile distance. The medical community, however, has long been concerned about how marathons impact the heart - and it has not yet been shown if the effects vary among different age groups or genders.

31 Aug 2010

Study shows statin therapy not associated with cancer

In the largest and most reliable study of its type, the University of Oxford (UK) and the University of Sydney (Australia) have demonstrated that statin therapy is not a cause of increased cancer rates and deaths. The conclusions of this study will reassure the millions of people worldwide who are taking statins to lower cholesterol levels, and clarifies earlier research that had raised concerns of a causal link.

31 Aug 2010

Genetic profiling to predict treatment benefits of ACE inhibitor therapy for CAD

The advantages of prescribing angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for stable coronary artery disease (CAD) may be increased by targeting the therapy to the patients most likely to benefit.Clinical characteristics alone do not allow a reliable identification of these patients, so a research programme was carried out at Erasmus University Medical Centre in Rotterdam to develop a genetic profiling model that predicts the treatment benefits of ACE inhibitors and optimises the recommended therapy.

31 Aug 2010

Using clopidogrel, PPIs increases cardiac damage risk: Study

Patients with coronary artery disease undergoing stent implantation are often prescribed the antiplatelet drug, clopidogrel. This drug prevents blood clots, but is known to have a side-effect that can cause stomach bleeding. Consequently, many users are also prescribed a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Now, however, a meta-analysis of almost 160,000 patients carried out at the Medical University of Vienna and Wilhelminenhospital, Vienna, has shown that simultaneous use of these drugs can increase the risk of cardiac damage.

31 Aug 2010

Texas Children's Fetal Center announces 200th TTTS laser ablation surgery milestone

As one of the leading medical centers in the U.S. diagnosing and treating twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), Texas Children's Fetal Center is proud to announce the successful completion of its 200th TTTS laser ablation surgery.

31 Aug 2010

Sutter Health collaborates with iTriage

Consumers can check health symptoms, look up health conditions and now find detailed information about doctors, hospitals, emergency rooms and medical clinics in the Sutter Health network via the free mobile health care application – iTriage.

31 Aug 2010

Medicare beneficiaries receive prescription drug cost relief under Affordable Care Act

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that more than 1 million Medicare beneficiaries have received prescription drug cost relief through the Affordable Care Act.

31 Aug 2010

Patient Home Monitoring releases Reverse Take Over third quarter 2010 results

Patient Home Monitoring, a new company focused on in-home cardiology healthcare services, today released its post Reverse Take Over third quarter financial results, which primarily represent the period from the RTO on June 2, 2010 to June 30, 2010.

30 Aug 2010

Children, teens need good health before the start of new school year, says medical director

With the back to school shopping season in full swing, it is also important to arm area children and teens with other tools they need to have a good school year- like medical exams. These are critical to good health and should take place before or shortly after the start of the new school year, and include a routine doctor's exam to confirm that all immunizations are up-to-date, a dental check-up, and a vision exam.

30 Aug 2010

Many expectant mothers unaware of risks associated with early elective C-sections and induced labor

Medical experts are concerned about the significant number of elective deliveries (C-sections and induced labor) that are being scheduled for non-medical reasons prior to 39 weeks of pregnancy. This troubling trend can lead to serious health consequences for the baby, as well as potential dangers for the mother.

30 Aug 2010

Queensland Health: neglect and red tape

After a recent death of a four year old girl following an inquest at the regional Doomadgee hospital in northwest of Queensland on 23rd July 2009, a severe doctor shortage in the region has been finally realised, despite the availibility of skilled pediatricians.

30 Aug 2010

Doctors' religious beliefs affect how they provide end-of-life care, Study finds

A doctor's own religious practice can become quite relevant to patient care, especially when end of life issues come into play. A new study finds that doctors who are not religious are more likely to take steps to help end a very sick patient's life, and to discuss these kinds of decisions, than doctors who are very religious.

30 Aug 2010

Simple medical exams recommended for school-age children

Many children and teens are enjoying the remaining days of their summer vacation, but are they truly prepared for what lies ahead? With a few simple medical exams, Virginia's school-age children will be armed with the tools they need to enjoy a healthy school year. The exams we are referring to are given in a doctor's and/or dentist's office, and should take place before or shortly after the start of the new school year, and include a routine doctor's exam to confirm that all immunizations are up-to-date, a dental exam and a vision exam.

27 Aug 2010

Health care costs weigh on employers, jobless alike

News coverage reflects the ways in which employers, employees and unemployed people are confronting health care costs.

27 Aug 2010

Obama administration touts federal efforts to combat health care fraud

The Los Angeles Times: Obama administration officials at a meeting in Los Angeles Thursday touted their efforts to crack down on health care fraud, "saying quickly expanding criminal enterprises are costing taxpayers billions of dollars each year. ... Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said their agencies were jointly targeting fraud in the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs.

27 Aug 2010

APF offers actionable solutions to improve access to pain care

The American Pain Foundation (APF), the nation's largest consumer advocacy organization for people in pain, released today a position statement imploring the medical community, regulators and concerned stakeholders to reaffirm their ethical commitment to the 76.5 million Americans—or one in four people—who struggle with pain, work collaboratively to improve access to pain care and dismantle the barriers preventing timely, appropriate and effective pain care for millions.

27 Aug 2010