BackgroundHeart failure (HF) is a common condition associated with substantial cost, morbidity, and mortality. Because results of clinical trials in the acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) setting have been mostly neutral, loop diuretics remain the mainstay of treatment.HypothesisLoop diuretic use may be associated with unfavorable outcomes.MethodsA MEDLINE literature search was performed to identify articles relating to heart failure and loop diuretics. The current evidence on the risks and benefits of loop diuretics for the treatment of ADHF is reviewed.ResultsLoop diuretics are associated with symptomatic improvements in congestion, urine output, and body weight, but have shown no long‐term mortality benefit. Loop diuretics, especially at high doses, are associated with worsened renal function and other poor outcomes.ConclusionsLoop diuretics still prove useful in HF treatment, but risk‐benefit analysis of these agents in the treatment of ADHF requires a well‐designed prospective study. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A single cup of coffee consumed within one hour before drawing blood resulted in statistically, but not clinically, significant differences in TC and HDL-C (black coffee) and triglycerides (coffee with creamer and sugar).

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for development of coronary heart disease. Proper diagnosis and adequate treatment are vital to reducing morbidity and mortality associated with elevated serum lipid levels. The amount of literature in this area is overwhelming. To aid practitioners and educators in organizing this large body of information, we compiled key articles, guidelines, and consensus papers relative to the treatment of dyslipidemias. Research articles were chosen based on the significance of findings, relevance to practice, quality of research, and timeliness; recent articles were given priority over earlier ones unless they demonstrated groundbreaking findings.

Neuroexcitatory effects of hydromorphone may occur at relatively low doses in patients without renal dysfunction. Early recognition and intervention are required to achieve resolution of these symptoms and prevent further sequelae to the patient.

Background and ObjectivesThe prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) doubles in the extreme elderly and is higher than in the rest of the population. Warfarin therapy to prevent thromboembolic events secondary to AF is often underutilized and under-prescribed in this subgroup, due to the fear of bleeding and other complications. Newer oral anticoagulants such as rivaroxaban and dabigatran offer alternative therapeutic options for the extreme elderly. We review the clinical trial data of these newer agents in the extreme elderly population.Subjects and MethodsThe primary literature was identified through PubMed, using the following search terms: anticoagulation, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, warfarin, elderly, AF, bleeding, stroke, and aging. Additional references were identified through the review of references from the articles obtained. We included clinical studies evaluating anticoagulation therapies in AF. Selection emphasis was placed on those evaluating anticoagulation in the elderly population.ResultsDabigatran and rivaroxaban have predictable, dose-proportional pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, which make them favorable options for the elderly. Fewer monitoring parameters and drug interactions allow for the greater ease of use. A landmark trial shows that the rate of intracranial hemorrhage with dabigatran is lower in this population compared to warfarin. However, the data is based on a small number of subjects enrolled in the clinical trials. As such, the real-world use of these agents may not replicate the published rates of bleeding and thrombosis in the study populations.ConclusionMore research is needed in this area, specifically in this population, before newer agents such as rivaroxaban and dabigatran are widely recommended for use in the extreme elderly patients.

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