Page 1 of 14

ANTIPAF trial: sartans do not reduce the number of AF episodes in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and without structural heart disease

Atrial fibrillation ( AF ) is a progressive chronic disease in which episodes become more frequent and long-lasting over time. Conventional anti-arrhythmic therapy aims at halting progression and reducing symptoms, but the use of most anti-arrhythmic drugs is compromised by severe side effects, such...
Read Article

Advances in renal cell carcinoma management

Renal cell carcinoma ( RCC ) accounts for about 3% of all solid tumours in adults, and worldwide, more than 200.000 new cases and 100.000 deaths result each year from this malignancy. In contrast to most other malignant tumours in the urogenital system, there was a period of stagnation in the de...
Read Article

Olmesartan increases risk of death

The FDA ( Food and Drug Administration ) has not concluded that Olmesartan ( Benicar ) increases the risk of death. In the ROADMAP and ORIENT trials, there were a greater number of cardiovascular-related deaths in the Olmesartan group compared to the placebo group. Other controlled clinical trials ...
Read Article

Olmesartan linked to cardiovascular events

The FDA ( Food and Drug Administration ) is evaluating data from two clinical trials in which patients with type 2 diabetes taking the blood pressure medication, Benicar ( Olmesartan ) had a higher rate of death from a cardiovascular cause compared to patients taking a placebo. FDA's review is on...
Read Article

Postmenopausal breast cancer: role of bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates are routinely given to women with postmenopausal breast cancer, but new data suggests that these agents may play a role in reducing recurrent breast cancer as well. The effect of Zoledronic acid on aromatase inhibitor-associated bone loss in postmenopausal women with early breast...
Read Article

HEAAL Study: higher dose of Losartan significantly reduced deaths and hospitalizations due to heart failure

In an investigational study, Losartan ( Cozaar ) 150 mg, administered once daily, significantly reduced the risk of all-cause death or hospitalization due to heart failure compared to a lower 50 mg once daily dose of Losartan. The study, called HEAAL ( Heart failure Endpoint evaluation of the A-II...
Read Article

Guidelines on management of antithrombotic agents for endoscopic procedures

According to a new guideline from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ( ASGE ) regarding the management of antithrombotic agents for endoscopy, Aspirin ( Acetylsalicylic Acid ) and/or NSAIDs may be continued for all elective endoscopic procedures. When high-risk procedures are planne...
Read Article

Anticoagulants in the prevention of venous thromboembolism and recurrent miscarriage

Coagulation is an important process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. Sometimes, however, clots form on the inside of vessels without an obvious injury or do not dissolve naturally, a potentially life-threatening situation requiring treatment. Research presented at the...
Read Article

Dronedarone: benefit risk assessment

Dronedarone ( Multaq ) is indicated for rhythm and rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation ( AF ) / atrial flutter ( AFL ), to maintain sinus rhythm or to decrease ventricular rate. Dronedarone demonstrates electrophysiological characteristics belonging to all 4 Vaughan-Williams classes o...
Read Article

Caution should be exercised when using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with established, or a risk of, renal impairment

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs, including COX-2 inhibitors ) may rarely precipitate renal failure, and vulnerable ( particularly elderly ) patients may be at increased risk. NSAID use accounts for an estimated 15% of all cases of drug-induced acute renal failure. A case-control ...
Read Article