DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog

Heart Surgery Drug Trasylol Confirmed Deadly

A new study has confirmed that hospital patients given Trasylol (aprotinin), a drug used to reduce bleeding during heart surgery, are 53% more likely to die than patients who are given other anti-bleeding drugs. The drug's manufacturer, Bayer AG, has informed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it has begun removing all remaining stock of Trasylol from all pharmacies and health care facilities in the U.S.

The latest Trasylol study was released Wednesday is slated to appear in print in the May 29 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

]]> During the course of the experiment, 2,331 high-risk cardiac patients scheduled to undergo heart surgery were randomly assigned to one of three anti-bleeding drugs. The rate of death from Trasylol was found to be 6% higher, versus 3.9% and 4% for the other two drugs, Hebert said. The numbers represent a 53% relative risk of dying -- meaning that for every 50 patients treated with aprotinin, one will die -- most as a result of cardiac complications. Due to the significant increased risk of death, the trial was stopped early.

The researchers note that while Trasylol may have a small advantage in reducing massive bleeding, the increased risk of death precludes the use of the drug in patients undergoing high-risk heart surgery.

Despite the drug being pulled off the market in many countries, Bayer AG continues to sell Trasylol in some areas of the world.

The anti-bleeding drug has been marketed and available since 1987, and has been widely used in surgery.

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

CDC Posts Updated Immunization Recommendations for People 18 Years of Age and Younger

The 2008 edition of the schedule of recommended immunizations for people 18 years of age and younger has been posted by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) -- a division of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The advisory committee releases new recommendations annually to reflect changes in vaccine formulations and current recommendations for the use of licensed vaccines.

This summer, don't wait until the last few busy weeks before fall school registration begins to make your child's vaccination appointment -- schedule an appointment now, and enjoy a safer summer.

Changes from the 2007 immunization schedule are as follows:

]]>

"The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) footnote reflects updated recommendations for incompletely vaccinated children aged 24--59 months, including those with underlying medical conditions.

Recommendations for use of the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) now include healthy children aged as young as 2 years. LAIV should not be administered to children younger than 5 years with recurrent wheezing. Children younger than 9 years who are receiving influenza vaccine for the first time or who were vaccinated for the first time last season, but only received 1 dose, should have 2 doses of vaccine, at least 4 weeks apart. Other updates are included.

For meningococcal vaccines, changes affect certain children aged 2-10 years. Vaccinating with meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) is preferred to meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) for children at increased risk for meningococcal disease, including children who are traveling to or residents of countries in which the disease is hyperendemic or epidemic, children who have terminal complement component deficiencies, and children who have anatomic or functional asplenia. The catch-up schedule for youths aged 13-18 years has been updated. MPSV4 is an acceptable alternative for short-term (i.e., 3-5 years) protection against meningococcal disease for persons aged 2-18 years.

The tetanus and diphtheria toxoids/tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine (Td/Tdap) catch-up schedule for persons aged 7-18 years who received their first dose before age 12 months now indicates that these youths should receive 4 doses, with at least 4 weeks (not 8 weeks) between doses 2 and 3.

The catch-up bars for hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine have been deleted on the routine schedule for persons aged 0-6 years."

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month: Recognition of Stroke Signs and Symptoms Lacking in U.S.

A recent survey conducted in 13 states and the District of Columbia has indicated that most people lack awareness of the 5 most common stroke symptoms. According to researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that lack of awareness could lead to critical delays in life-saving treatment. Prompt treatment following the onset of a stroke is critical in saving brain tissue and improving functional outcomes for survivors.

]]> Approximately 72,000 people participated in this most recent survey, in which participants were asked whether a given symptom is or is not a symptom of stroke. The five stroke symptoms included in the list were:

sudden confusion or trouble speaking
sudden numbness or weakness of the face, an arm, or a leg, especially on one side
sudden trouble seeing
sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance
severe headache with no known cause

Slightly fewer than 44% correctly identified all five stroke symptoms. Awareness of individual symptoms ranged from approximately 60% for severe headache with no known cause, to almost 93% for sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side. To make sure participants were not just answering "yes" to all questions, they were also asked whether a non-stroke symptom -- sudden chest pain or discomfort -- was a stroke symptom. Roughly 60% correctly identified the condition as not being a stroke symptom.

Each respondent was also asked if they would call 9-1-1 if they thought someone was having a stroke or heart attack. Nearly 86% said that they would, but only 38% of participants were both aware of all stroke symptoms and would also dial 9-1-1 to report a stroke.

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

Indoor Allergens Associated with Asthma: New Study

Elevated levels of allergens in the home are associated with asthma symptoms in allergic individuals, and asthmatics who experience allergies may improve their health by reducing allergen exposures. The findings are the result of new research published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and reported in a recent press release by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

]]> According to researchers, the link between indoor allergen levels and asthma is particularly significant because many people with allergies and asthma spend a majority of their time at home or indoors. In the U.S., alone, asthma affects more than 22 million people, making it one of the most common chronic illnesses.

Research findings demonstrate that in 52% of the cases evaluated by scientists, allergy sufferers were routinely exposed to at least 6 detectable indoor allergens. Another 46% of the cases involved significantly increased levels of at least 3 allergens. The most common allergens studied included those from dog, cat, mouse, cockroach, dust mites, and the fungus Alternaria.

According to authors of the study, the data provides useful information to asthma patients about the critical importance of reducing one's exposure to allergens. They also note that although homes cannot be made allergen free, allergen levels can be reduced, and reducing those levels does appear to aid in asthma management.

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

Outdoor Workers Less Likely to Be Screened for Skin Cancer: New Study

Those who routinely work outdoors in the sun face a higher rate of skin cancer due to repeated overexposure to the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Recent research, however, has found that outdoor workers such as those in construction, forestry, fishing and farming fields are among the least likely people to be screened by medical professionals for skin cancer.

]]> The study, recently published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, uses National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data from 2000 and 2005 to determine the percentage of U.S. workers who had ever had a thorough skin examination in their lifetime, or alternatively, during an appointment with a primary health care provider during the previous 12 months. All participants who reported a full-body skin examination were grouped into 2 categories - those who had received an exam in the previous 12 months, and those who had ever had such an exam in their lifetime.

Data was examined for 38,124 total workers who were interviewed from the 2000 and 2005, and the results indicate that only 15% of all U.S. workers reported ever receiving a skin examination during their lifetime. Only 8% of those who also had seen a health care provider in the previous year reported that they had received a skin exam during that visit. The data also clearly showed that the rate of reporting skin cancer screening was lowest for high-risk occupations most likely to experience increased sun exposure.

Authors of the study note that socioeconomic factors also were strong predictors of having a skin exam in the past year. Younger black or Hispanic women with no health insurance, who were service, farm or blue-collar workers, and who didn't use sun protection were the very least likely to report ever having been screened for skin cancer. They would also be among the most at-risk workers. The researchers advise that all patients, especially those that have occupations where they are exposed to UV light, should request that their physician provide skin exams during each one of their routine health exams.

Authors of the study also advise that developing and implementing local community health fairs that include screening programs targeting high-risk workers who are reporting low skin examination rates could help reverse the trend.

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

Elderly Women: Mammography Still Beneficial

Regular mammography reduces the risk of being diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer in women 80 years of age or older, but only about 20% of U.S. women over 80 have regular mammograms. The finding is the result of new research published in a recent edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Authors of the study note that women over 80 years of age account for 17% of all breast cancer cases in the U.S.

]]> For this latest study, scientists analyzed the mammography results of more than 12,000 elderly women obtained between 1996 and 2002. They determined that those women diagnosed with breast cancer who had received routine mammograms were significantly more likely to be diagnosed while the cancer was still in its earliest stages. Alternatively, women who occasionally or never had regular mammograms were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with dangerous, late-stage cancer when they finally were diagnosed with cancer following a mammogram.

Authors of the study note that according to this data, the benefits of mammography appear to have no age limit and that women should consider being screened on a regular basis, even well into their 90's, depending on the status of their health.

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

New State Rankings for Physician Discipline Highlight Significant Differences From State to State

A newly updated annual ranking of state medical boards by the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen has revealed widespread discrepancies in both the numbers of disciplinary actions taken against physicians' licenses, and the rates of those disciplinary actions from state to state. Though the specific numbers have changed again this year, a pronounced trend of significant discrepancies between individual states has held constant for years. Unless geography influences a physician's competence, these state-by-state discrepancies point to a dangerously inadequate national system of physician oversight -- one that could conceivably allow dangerous, incompetent physicians to continue to practice medicine by moving from state to state.

]]> The data raises questions about patient safety -- particularly the safety of patients who reside in states with poorer records of physician discipline, or those whose physician would be barred from practice in many states with more effective systems of physician oversight and accountability.

The data also suggests that many states continue not to meet their obligations to protect patients from incompetent or reckless doctors -- doctors who fail to practice safe and responsible medicine -- endangering the lives and health of those who trust them to provide life-saving, quality care.

According to the survey results, the total number of serious disciplinary actions against physicians dropped 17% from 2004, resulting in 553 fewer serious actions overall in 2007 than in 2004. Given the increasing number of U.S. physicians since 2004, the rate of serious actions actually fell 22%, from 3.72 serious disciplinary actions per 1,000 physicians to 2.92.

South Carolina was the worst state, but out of the 10 lowest-ranking states, 4 have been at the bottom for each of the past five years: Maryland, Minnesota, South Carolina and Wisconsin.

Ten states have accomplished at least a 10-place improvement in ranking between the 2001-2003 ranking and the 2005- 2007 ranking: Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and the District of Columbia (DC improved from 42nd to 22nd).

Annual rankings are always based on data gleaned from the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), specifically regarding the number of disciplinary actions taken against doctors in 2007. Public Citizen calculated the rate of serious disciplinary actions (revocations, surrenders, suspensions and probation/restrictions) per 1,000 doctors in each state.

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

Allergy Management Tips for Summer Travel

Despite the rising costs of fuel this year, millions of Americans will be hitting the nation's roads and airports for a summer vacation -- and for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, summer traveling can pose some unique challenges. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), reminds travelers that the climate of your destination, rather than your home, determines the pollens and molds to which you'll be exposed on vacation, and that all seasonal allergy sufferers should take time to plan their clothing and needed medications appropriately.

The academy offers the following additional allergy management tips for summer vacationers:

]]> "On the Road
Ventilate your vehicle before a lengthy trip. Roll down windows and run the air conditioner to help remove dust and other allergens from the vehicle. Avoid driving with the windows down if you or someone else in the vehicle suffers from pollen or mold allergies. Use the air conditioner instead. Travel during low traffic periods, such as early morning or late evening. You'll spend less time on the road and avoid higher levels of air pollution from idling vehicles.

In the Air
Carry all medications with you onto the aircraft. The Transportation Security Administration allows all types of medication through security checkpoints, but requires they be screened. Liquid and gel medications in 3-ounce containers or less must be inside a clear quart-size bag and separated from other carry-on items through screening. Liquid and gel medications in larger quantities should be in a separate bag and declared to the security checkpoint operator. Make sure all medications are properly labeled.

Include saline nasal spray in your carry-on bag to relieve sensitive noses from the airplane's dry air. Use once an hour to keep nasal passages moist. Beware airline food, which rarely has ingredients lists. Visit convenience stores inside the airport to stock up on safe snacks for the flight. Notify airline staff of your allergy and bring an epinephrine injector on-board in case of a severe reaction.

Be prepared
Travel delays happen. Bring all medications needed on the trip, as well as a day's worth of extra doses.

When reserving a hotel, ask if there are allergy-free accommodations, which could include special rooms, pillows and linens. If you are sensitive to molds, request a sunny, dry room away from indoor swimming pools.

Exposure to sun and water can aggravate eczema. Pack moisturizer or a medicated ointment for cruises and beach vacations to treat skin irritations. When camping, be aware of asthma and allergy triggers surrounding the campsite. Since medical help may not be readily available, prepare an emergency plan in case of an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction.

Contact an allergist/immunologist for information on diagnosing allergies and asthma or questions about treatment. An allergist/immunologist is the best qualified medical professional to manage the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of allergies and asthma. To find an allergist/immunologist near you, click here."

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

Experimental Blood Substitutes Linked to Heart Attack, Death: New Study

New hemoglobin-based artificial blood -- still unapproved for use in the U.S., but heavily studied -- appears to raise a patient's risk of heart attack and death according to an exhaustive review of clinical research data. This latest research was published in a recent edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The findings have spurred critics to allege that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put clinical trial participants in imminent danger by failing to detect or act on research data illustrating significant increases in the rates of heart attack and death reported in trials of these blood substitutes.

]]> The research review focused on data from 16 trials of 5 different experimental artificial blood products, involving nearly 4,000 patients. Overall, the artificial blood products were associated with a 30% increased risk of death and a tripled risk of heart attack for patients receiving the products in lieu of actual human blood.

According to the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, the results of 13 of the 16 product trials were published in medical journals years after the completion of the research -- and the results of other trials were simply not ever published. The group maintains that for years, patients have been put at risk by a system of medical research that forces manufacturers to report research data to the FDA, but never compels the FDA to make the data available for scientific review. In these cases, specifically, the group alleges, the FDA repeatedly and continually repressed clinical trial data that clearly illustrated the serious danger faced by people who volunteered to participate in clinical research.

Authors of the study note that laboratory-created hemoglobin-based blood substitutes are currently approved for use in South Africa and Russia, and that the release of this latest new report may affect the drug's approval in those countries.

A safe blood substitute has been sought by medical device manufacturers and doctors for years as a safe emergency treatment with a longer shelf life than human blood.

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

FDA Website: LASIK Surgery Risks and Patient Education

Laser eye surgeries such as LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) are quickly becoming some of the most common and technologically sophisticated procedures available for correcting relatively minor vision problems. Generally performed on an out-patient basis with the aid of only anesthetic eye drops, LASIK procedures are usually quick and easy, and the results are often remarkable. Unfortunately, however, the results can be underwhelming, too -- and occasionally even catastrophic.

To help clear up some misconceptions and misinformation regarding LASIK procedures, and to help consumers better understand the risks of laser eye surgeries, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established a web page devoted specifically to patient education. According to the agency, there are a few categories of people who should think twice before they attempt to resolve their vision problems with LASIK surgery.

]]> According to the agency, you are probably NOT a good candidate for LASIK surgery if:

"You are not a risk taker: Certain complications are unavoidable in a percentage of patients, and there are no long-term data available for current procedures.

It will jeopardize your career: Some jobs prohibit certain refractive procedures. Be sure to check with your employer/professional society/military service before undergoing any procedure.

Cost is an issue: Most medical insurance will not pay for refractive surgery. Although the cost is coming down, it is still significant.

You required a change in your contact lens or glasses prescription in the past year: This is called refractive instability. Patients who are:

In their early 20s or younger,

Whose hormones are fluctuating due to disease such as diabetes,

Who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or

Who are taking medications that may cause fluctuations in vision,
are more likely to have refractive instability and should discuss the possible additional risks with their doctor.

You have a disease or are on medications that may affect wound healing: Certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), immunodeficiency states (e.g., HIV) and diabetes, and some medications (e.g., retinoic acid and steroids) may prevent proper healing after a refractive procedure.

You actively participate in contact sports: You participate in boxing, wrestling, martial arts or other activities in which blows to the face and eyes are a normal occurrence.

You are not an adult: Currently, no lasers are approved for LASIK on persons under the age of 18."

Other risk factors:
Your doctor should screen you for the following conditions prior to LASIK surgery.

"Blepharitis. Inflammation of the eyelids with crusting of the eyelashes, that may increase the risk of infection or inflammation of the cornea after LASIK.
Large pupils. Make sure this evaluation is done in a dark room. Although anyone may have large pupils, younger patients and patients on certain medications may be particularly prone to having large pupils under dim lighting conditions. This can cause symptoms such as glare, halos, starbursts, and ghost images (double vision) after surgery. In some patients these symptoms may be debilitating. For example, a patient may no longer be able to drive a car at night or in certain weather conditions, such as fog.

Thin Corneas. The cornea is the thin clear covering of the eye that is over the iris, the colored part of the eye. Most refractive procedures change the eye’s focusing power by reshaping the cornea (for example, by removing tissue). Performing a refractive procedure on a cornea that is too thin may result in blinding complications.

Previous refractive surgery (e.g., RK, PRK, LASIK). Additional refractive surgery may not be recommended. The decision to have additional refractive surgery must be made in consultation with your doctor after careful consideration of your unique situation.

Dry Eyes. LASIK surgery tends to aggravate this condition."

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

Melanomas On Scalp and Neck Nearly Twice As Deadly: New Study

Melanoma is one of the deadliest skin cancers, but new research demonstrates that melanomas located on the scalp or neck are even twice as deadly as those found on other parts of the body. The finding is the result of a study published in a recent edition of the medical journal Archives of Dermatology.

]]> Researchers conducting this latest study analyzed nearly 52,000 melanoma cases in the United States and found that patients with scalp or neck melanomas died 1.84 times more frequently than patients with melanoma elsewhere on the body -- including on the face or ears.

The 5-year survival rate for patients with scalp and neck melanomas was 83%, but the rate was 92% for patients with melanomas at other sites. At 10 years, the survival rate among patients with scalp or neck melanomas was worse yet, at only 76%, compared with a survival rate of 89% for patients with melanomas in other locations.

Authors of the study say one implication of the research is that physicians should be paying closer attention to the scalp when examining patients for signs of skin cancer. They also caution that doctors should take extra time to look at the scalp during full-skin examinations. Although there has been debate about whether scalp and neck melanomas are more deadly because they are diagnosed later than others, this study finally demonstrates that the presence of melanoma on the scalp or neck, by itself, is an indicator that the patient will have a poorer prognosis -- even if detected relatively early.

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

Cardiologists Recommend Heart Screening for Children Taking ADHD Stimulants

The American Heart Association has issued new pediatric recommendations that call for heart fitness screenings prior to stimulant treatment for all children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The new patient safety guidelines were published in a recent issue of the journal Circulation -- official journal of the American Heart Association -- and they address growing fears that stimulant medications can cause serious heart complications in children with underlying, undiagnosed heart disease.

]]> The recommended AHA heart screening should include:

"A detailed patient and family medical history, particularly regarding heart disease
A full physical exam, including blood pressure and heart beat monitoring
An electrocardiogram (ECG)
A pediatric cardiologist consultation prior to treatment if evidence of heart disease is uncovered.
After treatment begins, children should continue to have blood pressure check-ups once every 1 to 3 months, and routine health check-ups every 6 - 12 months."

ADHD is the most common neurobehavioral disorder among American kids. Estimates suggest that between 4% and 12% of American school-aged children have the condition. More than 2.5 million children in the United States are being prescribed ADHD medications, the organization notes.

Some of the names under which these potentially dangerous stimulant drugs are marketed include Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine, Focalin, Ritalin, Ritalin SR or LA, and Metadate ER or CD. The new recommendations refer to all of these stimulants, as well as to a newer, still lesser-known drug known as Strattera, which was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a non-stimulant treatment for ADHD.

According to research data, children with underlying heart disease who take stimulants for ADHD face an increased risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Unfortunately, heart disease often goes undiagnosed in many children and it may even be present without noticeable symptoms.

In February 2007, the FDA ordered makers of ADHD medications to develop guidelines that alert patients to the heart risks associated with their treatments.

Experts warn that serious heart complications from stimulant medications are very rare, but because there are patient safety concerns with regard to some children, routine ECG screenings will provide greater certainty that the drug is safe for everyone who may take it.

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

Rate of Potentially Deadly Infection Increases by 200% in U.S. Hospitals

New figures released by the federal government have revealed a steep and potentially deadly spike of a serious, hospital-based infection that gives patients blood poisoning and sometimes incurable diarrhea. This latest public health research data, released by the U.S.Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) shows an increase of 200% in the prevalence of Clostridium difficile (C. Diff.) infections among U.S. hospital patients between the years of 2000 and 2005.

]]> AHRQ tracked more than 2 million cases of C. difficile in U.S. hospitals between 1993 and 2005. According to its data, this latest jump follows a 74% increase in the number of cases from 1993 to 2000.

C. difficile can cause either mild diarrhea or more deadly symptoms that can be treated only by surgically removing the colon. In 2005, 2/3 of all infected patients were found to be elderly.

Patients, visitors and hospital workers unknowingly carry C. difficile spores on their hands, and spread it when they touch objects, including hospital beds, equipment and doors. Unlike other bacteria, C. difficile spores can not be killed by using alcohol hand sanitizers. They can be destroyed with bleach.

Patients who have lost control of their bowels and those who have been treated for the infection before are the most likely carriers, experts have found, but C. difficile bacteria are commonly spread to other patients by unhygienic practices in hospitals.

In this latest AHRQ study, patients with C. difficile were found to have been hospitalized 3 times longer than uninfected patients, and 9.5% died in the hospital, compared with only 2.1% of patients who died overall. Like other deadly bacteria, C. difficile can acquire resistance to vancomycin -- a powerful, "last resort" antibiotic -- making treatment of the infection difficult or impossible.

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

Heart Attack Patients Fare Better During Weekday Hospital Hours: New Study

Heart attack patients who arrive at a hospital during regular weekday hours tend to receive faster, higher-quality care than those who show up in the evenings, over the weekend or on holidays, according to new research published in a recent edition of the medical journal Circulation.

]]> This latest study included 62,814 heart attack patients, 54% of whom arrived during these "off" hours. Those patients were found to be 7% less likely than others to undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI -- also known as emergency angioplasty), and they were 6% less likely to undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).

According to physician researchers, emergency angioplasty, or PCI, is typically the preferred corrective procedure following a heart attack caused by a completely blocked artery, to open the artery as soon as possible -- preferably within 90 minutes of the patient arriving at the emergency room.

In this latest study, the length of time from when the patient entered the hospital to when he or she received the procedure was an average of 110 minutes during off-hours, compared with 85 minutes during weekday business hours. Those patients who arrived on evenings, weekends or holidays were 66% less likely to be treated within the 90-minute window for primary angioplasty -- a window recommended by both the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.

In this study, death rates were found to be approximately the same for both groups of patients, a finding that does not square with similar findings by other research teams.

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

Male Heart Disease Risk Begins in Teen Years: New Study

The first biological indication that a man will face a higher risk of heart disease than a woman of equivalent age appears as early as adolescence, according to new research published in the medical journal Circulation. The finding is somewhat unexpected, as boys tend to lose body fat and gain muscle during adolescence, while girls tend to gain body fat.

]]> This latest study, led by Dr. Antoinette Moran of the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital, involved more than 500 Minneapolis school children between the ages of 11 and 19, and at the onset of the study, the 11-year old girl and boy participants were roughly similar in body composition health status.

As researchers expected, throughout the duration of the study, girls added more body fat while boys tended to lose it. Surprisingly, however, levels of triglycerides (blood fat associated with heart disease) increased in the boys over time, though decreasing among girls. At the same time, levels of LDL cholesterol (often referred to as "good" cholesterol) rose in girls while declining among boys. Additionally, insulin resistance, another indicator of heart disease risk, was found to be lower among 11-year-old boys than among 11-year-old girls, but by age 19, the boys were more insulin-resistant than the girls.

The study illustrates the vital role hormonal factors play in determining the likelihood of cardiovascular disease risk. According to authors of the study, women have long appeared to have extra protection from heart disease -- protection that diminishes after menopause. This study lends weight to the idea that hormones are a particularly important piece of the heart disease puzzle. They also note that it is never too early to begin protecting oneself against heart disease risk factors. Fighting obesity in the childhood and adolescent years, they advise, is essential to good heart health.

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.