Health
When data is the best medicine
One of the biggest challenges in health care is balancing cost with patient needs. Compounding the problem is a lack of good data and analysis.
Jun 1, 2015
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Cardiac Surgery
Surgery
Pre-surgery beta blockers, risk of death examined in noncardiac surgery
The controversial practice of administering pre-surgery beta-blockers to patients having noncardiac surgery was associated with an increased risk of death in patients with no cardiac risk factors but it was beneficial for ...
May 27, 2015
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2
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
Dexamethasone may help prevent severe kidney injury following heart surgery
The anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone helps prevent serious kidney complications that can arise following heart surgery, according to the results of a randomized clinical trial. The findings, which appear in an upcoming ...
May 7, 2015
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170
Cardiology
Off-label use of device to prevent stroke in a-fib patients is prevalent, potentially dangerous
The Lariat device, which has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for soft tissue approximation (placement of a suture) during surgical procedures, is associated with a significant incidence of death ...
May 4, 2015
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10
Cardiology
No evidence to change current transfusion practices for adults undergoing complex cardiac surgery
A National Institutes of Health-funded study found no statistical difference in the primary clinical measure—which assessed changes in function of six organs from before to seven days after surgery—between complex cardiac ...
Apr 9, 2015
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Surgery
Frequency of blood tests in heart surgery patients may lead to anemia, transfusions
Laboratory testing among patients undergoing cardiac surgery can lead to excessive bloodletting, which can increase the risk of developing hospital-acquired anemia and the need for blood transfusion, according to an article ...
Mar 18, 2015
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5
Surgery
When should blood transfusions be given after cardiac surgery?
New research has shown that patients having heart surgery do not benefit if doctors wait until a patient has become substantially anaemic before giving a transfusion.
Mar 11, 2015
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35
Surgery
Health care-linked infections up costs in cardiac surgery
(HealthDay)—Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are strongly linked to hospital costs, length of stay, and readmission, according to research published in the Jan. 6 issue of the Journal of the American College of ...
Jan 6, 2015
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10
Cardiology
Outcomes best for early enrollment in cardiac rehab
(HealthDay)—Early enrollment may improve outcomes in cardiac rehabilitation (CR), according to research published in the Dec. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Dec 17, 2014
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0
Cardiology
Combined strategies help patients with adverse heparin reaction before heart surgery
New evidence suggests that therapeutic plasma exchange and appropriate blood testing could help patients who are in urgent need of heart surgery, but have a history of an adverse reaction to the blood thinner heparin, according ...
Nov 18, 2014
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