Prescribing Patterns and Use of Risk-Reduction Tools After Implementing an Opioid-Prescribing Protocol.

Background: The literature on results from primary care-based opioid-prescribing protocols is small and results have been mixed. To advance this field, we evaluated whether opioid prescribing changed after a comprehensive protocol was implemented and whether change was associated with the number and type of risk reduction tools adopted.

Methods: Electronic medical record data were obtained for 2607 patients.

Cardiomyopathy: An Overview.

The definition and classification of cardiomyopathy have evolved considerably in recent years. Cardiomyopathy can be separated into primary (genetic, mixed, or acquired) and secondary categories, which result in varied phenotypes including dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive patterns. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common primary cardiomyopathy and can cause exertional dyspnea, presyncope, atypical chest pain, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death.