Stentys Self-expanding Stent Receives CE Marking To Treat Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

Medical device pioneer Stentys announced that it has received CE Marking for its self-expanding and disconnectable stent to treat acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The self-expanding feature of the Stentys platform, unrivaled in the stent industry, is designed to ensure optimal apposition of a stent in the critical initial hours and days after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) procedure, by being continuously applied to the vessel’s internal surface even during thrombus and vessel spasm relief-thereby avoiding malapposition, a significant concern to cardiologists…

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World-Renowned Radiologist Speaks Out On The Over-Use, Radiation Exposure, And Expense Of CTs Ordered For Women With Acute Pelvic Conditions

In a bold, eye-opening editorial in the March 2010 issue of the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Harvard Professor, Beryl Benacerraf, MD, urges the medical community to use ultrasound instead of Computed Tomography (CT) as the first-line imaging test for better diagnosis capability in the evaluation of acute female pelvic and lower abdominal conditions…

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Surveys Reveal High Frequency Of Prodromal Symptoms Prior To Acute Hereditary Angioedema Attacks

Patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) experience prodromal or early warning symptoms before nearly three-quarters of their HAE attacks, according to survey findings presented at the 2010 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting. According to researchers, this high frequency suggests that prodromal symptoms may reliably indicate when to initiate treatment to help prevent an acute HAE attack. To identify the prodromal symptoms patients experienced before an HAE attack, two separate surveys were conducted…

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Hospitalization For Acute Care Or Critical Illness Associated With Greater Likelihood Of Subsequent Cognitive Decline For Older Adults

Older patients hospitalized for acute care or a critical illness are more likely to experience cognitive decline compared to older adults who are not hospitalized, according to a study in the February 24 issue of JAMA. A large proportion of patients who are hospitalized for acute care or care of a critical illness are older adults. Some studies have suggested that many survivors of critical illness experience long-term cognitive impairment, but these studies did not measure cognitive function before a critical illness, according to background information in the article. William J…

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Acute Study Demonstrates Safety Of Vertos Medical’s Mild(R) Procedure; Findings Appear In Pain Physician Journal

Medical device company Vertos Medical Inc. has reported that an observational study on mild*, published in the January/February 2010 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Pain Physician, has demonstrated the acute safety of the procedure in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).1 The study, conducted by leading pain physicians Timothy Deer, M.D. (The Center for Pain Relief, Charleston, West Va.) and Leonardo Kapural, M.D., Ph.D. (Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio), found no reports of patient complications related to the mild devices or technique…

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Sunesis Poised For Phase 3 Trial Of Voreloxin In Acute Myeloid Leukemia After Completing Formal End-of-Phase 2 Meetings With FDA

Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNSS) announced that it has completed formal End-of-Phase 2 meetings with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) related to its lead compound, voreloxin, in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Sunesis has received feedback and guidance from the FDA in response to proposed plans for further development of voreloxin in the treatment of AML. Based on the development clarity achieved as a result of these meetings, Sunesis intends to proceed with its plan to conduct a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pivotal Phase 3 trial…

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What Is Altitude Sickness (acute Mountain Sickness)? What Causes Altitude Sickness?

Altitude sickness, also called acute mountain sickness (AMS), altitude illness, hypobaropathy, Acosta disease, puna, or soroche is a disorder caused by being at high altitude where air pressure is low without prior acclimatization (the process of gradual exposure). If it does occur, it will do so at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,500 meters) – 8000 meters is a common height for many ski resorts. More severe symptoms generally occur at above 3,600 meters (about 12,000 feet). Acute mountain sickness can progress to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE)…

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Karolinska Development: EMEA Recommends Orphan Drug Designation For Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) recommends orphan drug status for Aprea’s treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The treatment is currently undergoing a Phase I clinical study and a final decision from the European Commission regarding status is expected in a few weeks. Aprea is part of the Karolinska Development portfolio. “Aprea is developing a new class of anticancer drugs for the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia, the most common acute leukemia affecting adults which is currently lacking efficient treatment…

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UC Study Supports Alternative Anti-Seizure Medication Following Acute Brain Injury

A study by researchers at the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute (UCNI) at University Hospital supports the use of an alternative medication to prevent seizures in patients who have suffered a life-threatening traumatic brain injury or bleeding stroke. This randomized study supports earlier indications that the anti-seizure medication levetiracetam, marketed as Keppra, was as effective at preventing seizures as the traditional medication, phenytoin, marketed as Dilantin, while producing fewer negative side effects…

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Lessons from acute pancreatitis-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Authors: Thachil J
Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease characterized by local tissue injury which can trigger a systemic inflammatory response. There is increasing evidence that endothelial dysfunction is one of the critical pathophysiologic manifestations in patients with severe form of acute pancreatitis. In keeping with this, there have been recent reports of a haematological disorder, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), as being precipitated by acute pancreatitis. However, the patients who develop TTP, secondary to acute pancreatitis, do not always have the characteristic low levels of VonWillebrand multimer cleaving enzyme, ADAMTS-13 suggesting the involvement of other pathophysiological factors. On the contrary… Continue reading