Although more than 30,000 clinicians qualified to receive incentive payments in 2011, many physicians remain uncertain about the EHR Incentive Program and how to register for, report and attest to meaningful use, according to an article published May 14 in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
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There was a small absolute increase in cardiovascular deaths, which was most pronounced among patients with a high baseline risk of cardiovascular disease during the five-day administration of the antibiotic azithromycin (Zithromax, Pfizer) therapy. This study, which evaluated nearly 350,000 prescriptions of azithromycin and was published May 17 in the New England Journal of Medicine, has prompted an FDA review of its results.
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Being genetically predisposed to higher concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol provides no protective benefits against MI, according to a meta-analysis published online May 17 in Lancet. The results put in question whether drugs designed to raise HDL levels will succeed in reducing the risk of heart attacks.
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Contrast-enhanced ultrasound may complement CT angiography surveillance of patients following endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (EVAR) and help curb the risk of kidney toxicity, according to a study published online May 15 in Radiology.
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BOSTON—Despite recent studies that question the "inappropriate use" of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in primary prevention, the large OMNI registry, presented May 11 at the 33rd annual scientific sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), found that patients who received ICD implants in a non-evidence based manner experienced similar therapeutic benefit and outcomes to those who received evidence-based treatments.
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