http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress internet news portal provides the latest news on Health and Medicine. Difficulty breathing, chest pain, and cough may sound like symptoms of a heart attack; however, new research shows that these are the key symptoms for pulmonary embolism (PE), a potentially fatal blockage in the lung. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-difficulty-chest-pain-key-symptoms.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 22 Oct 2012 03:59:10 EST news270097142 A computerized checklist system designed to help physicians identify and use the best methods of preventing potentially deadly blood clots in hospitalized trauma patients dramatically reduced the number of these dangerous venous thromboembolisms (VTEs), new Johns Hopkins research suggests. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-deadly-blood-clots-computerized-checklist.html Cardiology Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:00:08 EST news269513264 New findings that highlight the challenges of managing thromboembolic events in patients being treated for cancer were released at the ESMO 2012 Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology in Vienna. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-highlight-blood-clotting-cancer-patients.html Cancer Mon, 01 Oct 2012 03:31:22 EST news268281073 In a preliminary clinical trial, investigators at Johns Hopkins have shown that even partially-matched bone marrow transplants can eliminate sickle cell disease in some patients, ridding them of painful and debilitating symptoms, and the need for a lifetime of pain medications and blood transfusions. The researchers say the use of such marrow could potentially help make bone marrow transplants accessible to a majority of sickle cell patients who need them. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-half-match-bone-marrow-transplants-sickle.html Medical research Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:11:45 EST news267379886 (HealthDay)—The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in postmenopausal women differs considerably according to the formulation of hormone therapy (HT) used, with the highest VTE risk seen in users of oral estrogen-progestin HT containing medroxyprogesterone acetate, according to research published online Sept. 10 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-vte-varies-hormone-therapy.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:08:31 EST news267192498 The clot-inhibiting drug apixaban (trade name: Eliquis) was approved in May 2011 for the prevention of thrombosis (blood clots) after operations to replace a hip or knee joint. In an early benefit assessment pursuant to the "Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products" (AMNOG), the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined the added benefit of apixaban. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-proof-added-benefit-apixaban-hip.html Medications Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:53:40 EST news267098004 (Medical Xpress)—Many people going into hospital have concerns about contracting the hospital acquired infection MRSA, yet the risk of acquiring - and dying from – hospital acquired venous thromboembolism (VTE) is much greater, warn scientists at the University of Birmingham. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-patients-underestimate-deep-vein-thrombosis.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 03 Sep 2012 07:42:06 EST news265876899 When it comes to treating cartilage tears in athletes, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a safe and effective method of treatment, according to research presented today at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Annual Meeting in Baltimore. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-platelet-rich-plasma-therapy-safe-option.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Sat, 14 Jul 2012 05:44:15 EST news261463443 (HealthDay) -- After suffering a type of blood clot called a venous thromboembolism, patients usually take a blood-thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin). But aspirin may do just as well after a period of time, according to a new Italian study. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-05-aspirin-recurrence-deep-vein-blood.html Medications Wed, 23 May 2012 17:50:01 EST news257012884 A study published on BMJ website today adds to the evidence that certain non-oral hormonal contraceptives (e.g. skin patches, implants and vaginal rings) carry a higher risk of serious blood clots (known as venous thromboembolism) than others. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-05-evidence-clot-non-oral-contraceptives.html Obstetrics & gynaecology Thu, 10 May 2012 18:30:05 EST news255885607 A single ultrasound scan (known as compression ultrasonography) may safely rule out a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in women during pregnancy or in the first few weeks after giving birth (post-partum period), finds a study published in the British Medical Journal today. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-04-scan-safely-pregnancy-related-deep-vein.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:30:05 EST news254505927 (Medical Xpress) -- A major study by researchers from the Universities of Otago and Oxford has found that overweight and obese middle-aged women are at much higher risk of developing potentially fatal blood clots than women who are a healthy weight. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-04-greater-blood-clot-heavier-middle-aged.html Cardiology Wed, 18 Apr 2012 02:10:01 EST news253930185 Interventional radiology treatments re-establish blood flow in people with chronic deep vein thrombosis (DVT), reducing disabling symptoms and improving the quality of life for those afflicted with post-thrombotic syndrome—an under-recognized but frequent long-term complication of DVT. Researchers presented these findings during March's DVT Awareness Month at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 37th Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-interventional-radiologists-post-thrombotic-syndrome-chronic.html Other Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:27:37 EST news251972841 A team of global scientists, led by researchers at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City, has developed a safer and more accurate way to administer warfarin, one of the most commonly prescribed but also potentially dangerous medications in the United States. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-safer-common-potentially-dangerous-medication.html Medical research Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:12:22 EST news249732726 Following a total joint replacement, anticoagulation (blood thinning) drugs can prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot deep within the extremities, or a pulmonary embolism (PE), a complication that causes a blood clot to move to the lungs. However, prolonged use of these therapies may increase the risk of hemorrhage and infection. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-aspirin-dvt-pe-joint-patients.html Other Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:50:02 EST news247854776 New evidence-based guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) address the many risk factors for developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or blood clot, as the result of long-distance travel. These risk factors include the use of oral contraceptives, sitting in a window seat, advanced age, and pregnancy. The Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines, published in the February issue of the journal CHEST, also suggest there is no definitive evidence to support that traveling in economy class can lead to the development of a DVT, therefore, dispelling the myth of the so-called "economy class syndrome." http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-dvt-guidelines-evidence-economy-class.html Health Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:20:50 EST news247810831 People with low levels of iron in the blood have a higher risk of dangerous blood clots, according to research published in the journal Thorax today. A study of clotting risk factors in patients with an inherited blood vessel disease suggests that treating iron deficiency might be important for preventing potentially lethal blood clots. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-12-iron-blood-clue-clot.html Medical research Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:05:42 EST news243147932 Researchers at the University of Gothenburg's Sahlgrenska Academy have discovered a brand new tick-borne infection. Since the discovery, eight cases have been described around the world, three of them in the Gothenburg area, Sweden. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-12-tick-borne-disease-gothenburg.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:39:45 EST news242401120 (Medical Xpress) -- Patients who monitor their own treatment with warfarin or other blood-thinning drugs reduce their risk of developing blood clots by half, an Oxford University study has found. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-12-blood-clot-halved-patients-warfarin.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:50:10 EST news241952023 A safe working environment for nurses is also a safe environment for the patients in their care, according to a new study led by public health researchers at Drexel University. Researchers, led by Dr. Jennifer Taylor, an assistant professor in Drexel's School of Public Health, found that safety climate was associated with both patient and nurse injuries, suggesting that patient and nurse safety may be linked outcomes. The study was published online in BMJ Quality and Safety in October. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-hospital-safety-climate-linked-patient.html Health Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:03:09 EST news239904182 The use of drospirenone-containing oral birth control pills is linked to a significantly higher risk of blood clots, both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, according to an article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-drospirenone-containing-contraceptives-linked-higher-blood.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:46:51 EST news239892398 Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) undergoing surgery may be more likely to develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT; blood clot in a deep vein in the thigh or leg) or pulmonary embolism (PE; blood clot in blood vessels in the lungs) following surgical procedures, according to a study published Online First by Archives of Surgery. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-10-patients-inflammatory-bowel-disease-post-operative.html Inflammatory disorders Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:34:23 EST news238088039 An updated clinical practice guideline released last week by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Board of Directors recommends how to reduce the likelihood of blood clots after hip or knee replacement surgery, procedures that more than 800,000 Americans undergo each year. The new guideline suggests use of preventive treatments and advises against routinely screening patients after surgery using ultrasound imaging. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-09-guideline-outlines-blood-clots-hip.html Other Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:11:49 EST news236621497 Racial minorities have reduced access to high-quality joint replacement care, according to Dr. Xueya Cai and colleagues from the University of Iowa in the US. Their work, published online in Springer's journal Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, shows that African American patients are more likely than Caucasians to receive total knee arthroplasty (or replacement surgery) in low-quality hospitals. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-09-dictate-quality.html Other Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:29:29 EST news235124953 US regulators said Tuesday that Xarelto, a Bayer-made drug approved in July for preventing blood clots, is so far unproven for a new proposed use as a stroke preventer. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-09-bayer-drug-unproven.html Medications Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:11:01 EST news234533449 (AP) -- New advice for pregnant women: If you're getting a C-section, special inflating boots strapped on your legs may lower the risk of a blood clot. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-08-c-section-blood-clot-urged.html Health Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:13:59 EST news233853225 A new risk prediction tool can identify patients at high risk of serious blood clots (known as venous thromboembolism) who might need preventative treatment, says a study published in the British Medical Journal today. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-08-score-patients-high-blood-clots.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 17 Aug 2011 04:35:17 EST news232774480 Siblings of those who have been hospitalized with potentially lethal blood clots in the legs or pelvis are more likely to also suffer the disorder than those with healthy siblings, according to research published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-08-siblings-blood-clots-leg-higher.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:00:07 EST news232030656 The NHS is poorly prepared to care for obese patients, lacking dedicated equipment and adequately trained staff, among other things, reveals an analysis of patient safety incidents, published online in Postgraduate Medical Journal. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-07-nhs-ill-obese-patients.html Health Tue, 26 Jul 2011 03:41:54 EST news230870505 Generally healthy patients who undergo total hip replacement (THR) can be fast tracked to be discharged in two days compared with the standard three to six days, according to a new study by researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City. The study could help cut down on hospital-acquired infections, reduce hospital costs and improve patient satisfaction. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-07-fast-track-total-hip-surgery.html Other Fri, 01 Jul 2011 05:08:16 EST news228715678