In the News


Measure of coronary artery calcium might spare statins in some elderly patients

Coronary artery calcium-guided reclassification improved specificity for coronary heart disease events by 22% without any significant loss in sensitivity, while reclassification based on carotid plaque burden improved specificity 16% with a 7% loss in sensitivity, a study found.

Revascularization may offer patients with claudication more improvement in patient self-reported outcomes than medical management, study finds

It may be premature for interventionalists to treat more patients with claudication and measure patient-reported outcomes during the process, according to an accompanying editorial.

MKSAP Quiz: follow-up consultation for laboratory studies

A 54-year-old man is evaluated during follow-up consultation regarding laboratory studies completed for a life insurance policy. He reports no symptoms. A bone marrow biopsy shows trilineage dysplasia with 1% blasts. Results of cytogenetic testing show loss of the Y chromosome (−Y). What is the most appropriate management?

Frailty assessments may help predict outcomes after cardiac surgery in older adults

Frailty status as assessed by mobility, disability, and nutritional status may predict death at 6 months or more after major cardiac surgery and functional decline after minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

Pharma payments to physicians associated with higher prescribing of 2 drug classes

Researchers calculated that 1 additional payment, of a median value of $13, was associated with 94 additional days of oral anticoagulant prescriptions and 107 days of noninsulin diabetes drugs in the hospital referral region where it was made.

ACP offers new Patient FACTS for Zika, antibiotic resistance, insomnia

New fact sheets aim to facilitate communication by providing information about common health conditions and offering questions patients may want to ask their health care professionals.

Vote for your favorite entry

ACP Internist Weekly's cartoon caption contest continues. Readers can vote for their favorite caption to determine the winner.