[Fats and oils (including omega3, omega6)].

Saturated fatty acids contribute essentially to atherogenesis, especially to coronary artery disease. In contrast, the protective effect of monounsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid, contained in olive oil and as a constituent of a Mediterranean diet is very well shown epidemiologically. There is a modest beneficial effect on the clinical manifestation of coronary heart disease when saturated fatty acids of animal provenience are partially replaced by omega 6 fatty acids (linoleic acid).

National survey on prescription of cardiovascular drugs among outpatients with coronary artery disease in Switzerland.

Background: Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease markedly reduces cardiovascular mortality and non-fatal endpoints. Outpatient care of subjects with coronary artery disease has been assessed in several European countries, but no current data is available for Switzerland.

Methods: A random sample of office-based physicians across Switzerland recorded current drug prescription of outpatients with coronary artery disease in the years 2000/2001 by means of a mail questionnaire.

Short-term effects of atorvastatin on C-reactive protein.

Aim: To study the short-term effect of atorvastatin on C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with or at risk for coronary heart disease.

Methods And Results: One hundred and fifty-five randomly selected patients from the SWiss Intervention Trial for lowering CHolesterol (SWITCH) were assessed for high sensitivity CRP, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides at baseline, and after 1 and 3 months of treatment with atorvastatin at various doses to reach pre-defined lipid target values. The median decrease of cholesterol was 28% after 1 month and 35% after 3 months.

[Epidural hematoma in a child with hemophilia: diagnostic difficulties].

Unlabelled: Spinal epidural hematoma is an uncommon complication in hemophilia.

Case Reports: The cases of an extensive epidural hematoma in two boys with severe hemophilia are reported.

Conclusion: Acute onset of severe neck pain or backache leads to the diagnosis of epidural hematoma in children with hemophilia, even in the absence of neurologic symptoms.