Efficacy and tolerability of once-weekly rosuvastatin in patients with previous statin intolerance.

Background: Many patients who could benefit from hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase inhibitors (statins) are unable to take statins because of myalgias while taking previous statin therapy.

Objective: The primary objective was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of once-weekly rosuvastatin in patients with documented myalgias on statins who were not currently taking a statin and not at low-density lipoprotein (LDL) goal.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study we enrolled a total of 17 Clement J.

Prolonging the return visit interval in primary care.

Purpose: Extending the scheduled return visit interval has been suggested as one means to improve clinic access to the provider. However, prolonging the return visit interval may affect quality of care if prevention measures and chronic disease management receive less attention as clinic visits become less frequent. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a comprehensive education program could encourage providers to lengthen their return visit interval without compromising performance on key quality indicators.

Analysis of Web access logs for surveillance of influenza.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the level of influenza in a population correlates with the number of times that internet users access information about influenza on health-related Web sites. We obtained Web access logs from the Healthlink Web site. Web access logs contain information about the user and the information the user accessed, and are maintained electronically by most Web sites, including Healthlink.

A comparison of health information needs between patients at a suburban hospital-based clinic and two underserved inner city clinics.

A needs assessment was conducted and the results were analyzed to determine and compare the health information seeking habits and needs of outpatients at a suburban hospital-based clinic and at two clinics located in underserved areas of the inner city.

Protamine Reversal of Heparin After Cardiopulmonary Bypass Increases Lung Resistance, Not Elastance.

BACKGROUND: Protamine, an immunologically active, cationic amine, has been suspected of impairing lung mechanics when administered after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to reverse heparin. Whether such adverse changes are an effect of protamine itself, the formation of heparin-protamine complexes, the extent of heparin anticoagulation, or its chemical reversal is not known. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a computer-controlled, forced-ventilation method over a variety of physiological tidal volume (V(T)) and frequency (f) combinations, we prospectively studied 18 adult, elective patients before systemic heparinization and after protamine reversal to confirm and, possibly, elucidate an etiology for any adverse pulmonary effects.