Table of Contents
From the Editor
- Richard G. Farmer, MD: To Russia, with CME
Dr. Farmer, former chairman of The Cleveland Clinic’s Division of Medicine, has always been ahead of his time. Now he is working to improve the health of people in the former Soviet Union.
Review
- Investigation and management of ischemic colitis
Ischemia of the colon probably happens more often than we think, as the signs may be subtle and highly variable.
- The Russian health care system today: Can American-Russian CME programs help?
The health of the Russian people has deteriorated dramatically since the fall of communism. Can an American-Russian collaboration in continuing medical education improve the health of Russian citizens?
- Alcohol and health: A drink a day won’t keep the doctor away
Do not advise patients to start drinking alcohol for its alleged cardiovascular benefits.
Medical Grand Rounds
- Scleroderma: A treatable disease
Scleroderma can be effectively treated in many cases now, thanks to a better understanding of its pathogenesis and new therapies.
Review
- When patients on warfarin need surgery
How to manage anticoagulation in the perioperative period is controversial; we offer our approach.
- Talking to patients about St. John’s wort
St. John’s wort, an unregulated herbal supplement widely used as a self-treatment for depression, can cause side effects and drug interactions.
Patient Information
Interpreting Key Trials
- The Heart Protection Study: High-risk patients benefit from statins, regardless of LDL-C level
Nearly all patients at high risk of a coronary event should be taking a statin drug, regardless of their low-density lipoprotein level. We explain the rationale, design, findings, and implications of this important study.
Departments
- Atrial fibrillation (June 2003)
Rate control vs rhythm control in atrial fibrillation (Cleve Clin J Med 2003; 70:567–573).