Table of Contents
From the Editor
- ‘Obvious’ answers aren’t always so simple
In atrial fibrillation, rhythm control seemed “obviously” better than rate control-until randomized trials were done.
1-Minute Consult
Should primary care physicians screen for depression?Yes, if they have the time and resources to do something about it if they find it.
Editorial
- On testing for proteinuria: Time for a methodical approach
It is now imperative that we test for proteinuria in outpatients.
- In-hospital initiation of statins: Taking advantage of the ‘teachable moment’
For a variety of reasons, starting a statin in the hospital increases long-term compliance.
Minimally Invasive Surgery Updates
- New Series
We hope to keep you abreast of how laparoscopic techniques are revolutionizing surgical care, and what this means for your patients.
- Laparoscopic repair of giant paraesophageal hernias: An update for internists
Laparoscopic repair is safe and can provide excellent results.
Review
- Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: Using echocardiography to guide length of therapy
Empiric long-term antibiotic therapy is no longer uniformly recommended for all cases of S aureus bacteremia, although experts disagree about the optimal length of therapy.
- Proteinuria: How to evaluate an important finding
Proteinuria should be taken seriously, even in outpatients without symptoms.
- Withholding nutrition at the end of life: Clinical and ethical issues
The decision to withhold or withdraw enteral or parenteral nutrition at the end of life should be based on medical need, in collaboration with the family and patient, if possible.
Raising an isolated low HDL-C level: Why, how, and when?No current therapy is optimal, but many can modestly increase HDL-C. The decision to treat depends on the patient’s risk for coronary disease.
Interpreting Key Trials
- The Lescol Intervention Prevention Study (Lips)
The trial showed a significant reduction in cardiac events in patients who received a statin drug immediately after a successful percutaneous coronary intervention. Currently, this is seldom done.
- Atrial fibrillation: Rate control is as good as rhythm control for some, but not all
Many clinicians are questioning the need to restore or maintain sinus rhythm in atrial fibrillation. What did four recent trials show ?
Departments
- Preventing kidney failure (April 2003)
Preventing kidney failure (Cleve Clin J Med 2003; 70:337–344).
