Table of Contents
From the Editor
- Vertebroplasty, evidence, and health care reform: What is quality care?
Two recent trials found that a popular procedure for fixing vertebral fractures lacks efficacy. Like it or not, in the future, such evidence is going to affect whether insurers pay for care.
Editorial
- Should catheter ablation be the first line of treatment for atrial fibrillation?
Antiarrhythmic drugs should remain the first line of treatment until trials prove otherwise.
Review
- Influenza in long-term care facilities: Preventable, detectable, treatable
Vaccination is the most important preventive measure. Early detection, infection control measures, prompt treatment, and preventive treatment of contacts can also help curtail an outbreak.
- Role of MRI in breast cancer management
MRI might be indicated for workup of possible breast cancer, but not for screening except in women at high risk.
Current Drug Therapy
- Beta-blockers for hypertension: Are they going out of style?
The outcomes of clinical trials have been disappointing, and the value of beta-blockers in treating hypertensive patients who do not have compelling indications for them has been questioned.
Review
- Ablation of atrial fibrillation: What can we tell our patients?
More patients are asking their physicians about radiofrequency ablation. Although it has shown promising clinical results, some patients may have unrealistic expectations.
Departments
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (July 2009)
A reader comments on the need to avoid unnecessary testing in medicine, as illustrated in an article about a man with uncontrolled diabetes (July 2009).
