More articles from 1-Minute Consult
- What is the appropriate treatment for Dupuytren contracture?
The diseased tissue is either watched with benign neglect or surgically excised.
- Alosetron (Lotronex) is back: Should I use it to treat my patients with irritable bowel syndrome?
The FDA recently approved the remarketing of alosetron, but with strict limitations.
- Should everyone with a recent myocardial infarction receive a beta-blocker and an ACE inhibitor?
Yes, except for those with the standard contraindications to these drugs.
- Which children and adults should receive the chickenpox vaccine?
It should be given to all seronegative children and adults in whom it is not otherwise contraindicated.
- ‘Coach class thrombosis’: Is the risk real? What do we tell our patients?
The risk is real but small; only those already at increased risk of venous thromboembolism need to be concerned.
- Should exercise electrocardiography be a routine part of the periodic health physical?
No, but it is warranted in patients with multiple risk factors if coronary artery disease is suspected.
- Is there a relationship between hypertension and cognitive function in older adults?
Yes, and there is some evidence that treating hypertension protects against cognitive decline later in life.
- ‘White coat hypertension’—should it be treated or not?
Treatment is controversial, and any benefit of treatment is unproven.
- Why shouldn’t we use warfarin alone to treat acute venous thrombosis?
Heparins produce desired levels of anticoagulation within hours, whereas warfarin takes at least 4 days.
- Which medications should be held before a pharmacologic or exercise stress test?
This depends on the reason for the rest, whether the patient can safely do without the medication, and the type of test.