July 10th, 2009
Podcast 49: Three RASS Study researchers discuss their findings on the lack of benefit of renin-angiotensin blockade in the primary prevention of diabetic nephropathy in Type 1 diabetes.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
We talk with Drs. Michael Mauer, Ronald Klein, and Bernard Zinman about their paper in the July 2 New England Journal of Medicine reporting on the RASS study (Renin-Angiotensin System Study). They found that blockade of the renin-angiotensin system was not effective in the primary prevention of diabetic nephropathy in Type 1 diabetes.
This week’s news links:
- Darvon, Darvocet to Get Stronger Warnings on Fatal Overdose Risk
- Famotidine Associated with Fewer GI Complications from Low-Dose Aspirin
- Dronedarone Approved for Maintenance Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter
The week’s interview links:
July 2nd, 2009
Podcast 48: A conversation with Les Irwig, which your bone scanner won’t like to hear.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Scanning patients on bisphosphonates within the first 3 years of therapy is just wasted effort, and may even be misleading clinically. That’s what researchers conclude after reanalysis of FIT trial data on some 6500 women taking either alendronate or placebo. Prof. Les Irwig of the University of Sydney talks about his team’s findings and what they mean for clinicians used to doing densitometric studies to reassure patients about the progress of their therapy.
This week’s news links:
- Diabetic Retinopathy, But Not Nephropathy, Benefits from Renin-Angiotensin Blockade
- FDA Panel Votes to Ban Vicodin, Percocet
- Value of CRP and Other Cardiovascular-Risk Biomarkers Questioned
- Insulin Glargine Associated with Cancer Risk; ADA Calls Findings “Conflicting and Confusing”
This week’s Interview links:
June 29th, 2009
Podcast 47: Total knee arthroplasty’s cost-effectiveness — a conversation with Elena Losina
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Who knew that discussing QALYs could be so enjoyable? Dr. Elena Losina guides the interviewer through the thicket of cost-effectiveness and points to resources that keep track of the cost-effectiveness of most procedures. This is all done in the context of discussing her paper in Archives of Internal Medicine on total knee arthroplasty.
This week’s links:
- Offer High School Students HIV Testing, CDC Reiterates
- Fibrinolysis for STEMI Should Be Followed by Transfer and PCI
- Bone-Density Monitoring After Starting Bisphosphonates ‘Cannot Be Justified’
- Providers Often Fail to Inform Patients of Abnormal Test Results
Interview links:
June 19th, 2009
Podcast 46: Does Genetic Testing for Clotting Mutations Matter? An interview with Jodi Segal of Johns Hopkins
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
You’d think that a widely-ordered test would play a part in management and outcome, but two clotting mutations seem exceptions to that rule. Although often requested, the FDA-approved tests for Factor V Leiden and G20210A mutations don’t seem to figure greatly in case management of venous thromboembolism, at least according to the published literature. Dr. Jodi Segal and her team published a meta-analysis in JAMA this week, and she’s here to discuss the results.
This week’s links:
News–
- CDC Counsels Infection-Control Vigilance to Prevent H1N1 in Health Workers
- Zicam Nasal Cold Remedies Linked to Loss of Sense of Smell
- Stents Not Associated with Improved Function in Renal Artery Stenosis
- Leukotriene Modifiers for Asthma Associated with Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events
Interview links–
May 23rd, 2009
Podcast 44: Harlan Krumholz on new door-to-balloon-time findings.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
This week we talk with Harlan Krumholz about his paper in BMJ. His team finds that the door-to-balloon-time recommendation of 90 minutes is too long and that many more lives could be saved by shortening that time. Listen to his thoughts on this.
And I’d like to listen to your thoughts, which you may send along to jelia@nejm.org or voice at 1-617-440-4374.
This week’s links:
About the Podcast
Comments, suggestions, and story ideas welcome. Learn more about Clinical Conversations.
Follow us:
