Nondiabetic Ketoacidosis Caused by Severe Hyperthyroidism

"Severe hyperthyroidism is not included in the traditional differential diagnosis of ketoacidosis. However, thyroid hormone has well-documented lipolytic effects on adipocytes and may also promote hepatic beta-oxidation. We present a case in which a woman with severe hyperthyroidism developed otherwise unexplained ketoacidosis during the acute phase of her illness. We propose that thyrotoxicosis was a significant contributor to ketoacidosis in this patient and that severe hyperthyroidism should be added to the differential diagnosis of ketoacidosis."

Exercise Testing Predicts Coronary Disease Risk in Asymptomatic Subjects

"As a means of predicting coronary heart disease (CHD), exercise treadmill testing (ETT) provides prognostic information beyond that obtained with the Framingham risk score, even in asymptomatic subjects, new research shows."

Pentasaccharides in the Prophylaxis and Treatment of Venous

"The aim of this review is to perform a critical analysis of all completed studies evaluating pentasaccharides-synthetically derived, selective inhibitors of activated factor X-in prophylaxis in major orthopedic surgery and the treatment of venous thromboembolism."

Statins May Be Particularly Useful in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

"Treatment with pravastatin reduces the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with or at risk for heart disease and concomitant chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a report in the September 21st issue of Circulation."

Fondaparinux as Good as Unfractionated Heparin for PE

"Fondaparinux is at least as good as unfractionated heparin for the treatment of pulmonary embolism, according to the results of a randomized, open-label trial published in the Oct. 30 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The editorialist suggests the need for comparison to low-molecular-weight heparin, which is also as good as unfractionated heparin."

Glycosylated Hemoglobin an Independent Risk Factor for Heart Disease

"Among diabetics and even among individuals who are not diabetic, chronic hyperglycemia is independently associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, according to two reports in the Annals of Internal Medicine for September 21. As one group notes, it may be time for trials of 'interventions to reduce hemoglobin A1c in persons without diabetes"

C-Reactive Protein Predicts Rapid Progression of CAD

"Rapid progression of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with stable angina is associated with increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, according to the results of a study published in the Sept. 20 Rapid Access issue of Circulation."

Bupropion SR Effective Aid for Smoking Cessation in Practice...

"In an actual practice setting, the combination of bupropion standard release (SR) with counseling is associated with 23% to 33% quit rates, according to the results of an open-label, randomized trial published in the Oct. 27 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine."

ACCP Revises Guidelines for Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism

"The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) has revised its guidelines for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The updated guidelines, published in the September supplement of Chest, offer formal recommendations for long-distance travelers, advise against previously recommended antiplatelet therapy, and discuss new treatments and preventive measures for thrombosis."

Revised Diabetes Guidelines Lower Threshold for IFG

"An international expert committee on the diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus has published revised guidelines, which incorporate new data since the last report of 1997, in the November issue of Diabetes Care. Decreasing the cutoff for impaired fasting glucose from 110 mg/dL to 100 mg/dL could increase diagnoses of prediabetes by approximately 20%."

Erythromycin Plus Antihypertensives Increase Risk of Sudden...

"Oral erythromycin alone doubles the risk of sudden cardiac death, but when combined with the antihypertensives diltiazem or verapamil, the risk rises fivefold, according to the results of a study published in the Sept. 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. 'Oral erythromycin prolongs cardiac repolarization and is associated with case reports of torsades de pointes,' write Wayne A. Ray, PhD, from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, and colleagues. 'Because erythromycin is extensively metabolized by cytochrome P-450 3A (CYP3A) isozymes, commonly used medications that inhibit the effects of CYP3A may increase plasma erythromycin concentrations, thereby increasing the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death.'"

100% Oxygen Can Be Harmful for Asthmatics

"Results of a randomized trial published in the October issue of Chest confirm that 100% oxygen can be harmful for asthmatics and support recommendations to use the minimum concentration required to maintain target O2 saturation."

Full-Body CT Scanning May Significantly Increase Cancer Risk

"Full-body computed tomographic (CT) scanning may significantly increase the risk of cancer, according to the results of an analysis published in the September issue of Radiology. 'Our research provides definitive evidence that radiation risk is associated with full-body CT scans,' lead author David J. Brenner, PhD, DSc, from Columbia University in New York, says in a news release. 'The radiation dose from a full-body CT scan is comparable to the doses received by some of the atomic-bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where there is clear evidence of increased cancer risk.'"

Anakinra Plus Methotrexate Helpful in Rheumatoid Arthritis

"Anakinra combined with methotrexate is safe and effective for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have inadequate responses to methotrexate, according to the results of a multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial published in the September issue of the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases."

Nifedipine GITS Helpful for Angina

"Adding nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) to conventional treatment of angina pectoris is not harmful and may reduce symptoms and need for coronary interventions, according to the results of a randomized trial published in the Aug. 31 issue of the Early Online Publication of The Lancet."

Ultrasound Useful for Treatment of Breast Abscess

"Ultrasonography-guided treatment is useful for breast abscesses in lactating women, according to the results of a retrospective study published in the September issue of Radiology."

Regular Intake of Yogurt Can Suppress H. pylori Infection

"Ingestion of yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus (La5) and Bifidobacterium lactis (Bb12) significantly decreases urease activity of Helicobacter pylori after six weeks, according to the results of a placebo-controlled intervention study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition."