Continuation of beta-blocker therapy among patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure is associated with markedly better outcomes compared to heart failure patients in whom beta-blocker therapy is stopped or never started, according to a study published July 15 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Reuters Health Information
Rofecoxib (Vioxx) and valdecoxib (Bextra) are associated with an increased risk of stroke, according to results of a study published in the July issue of Stroke. Reuters Health Information
Although use of the leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast is associated with a significant risk of Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS), it is likely "a proxy measure for gradually worsening asthma at an individual level and for the important increase in montelukast exposure in general," researchers conclude in a study published in the August issue of Thorax. Reuters Health Information
The proliferation signal inhibitor everolimus is effective and safe in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who have an inadequate response to methotrexate, according to trial results reported in the August issue of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. However, development of everolimus for this indication is not being pursued. Reuters Health Information
In certain patients with moderate-to-severe pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH), the addition of oral bosentan to subcutaneous treprostinil-based therapy can produce further clinical improvement, investigators report in the July issue of Chest. Reuters Health Information
Long-term use of sildenafil may have beneficial effects in patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), results of a pilot study indicate. Reuters Health Information
In nonresectable rectal cancer, the addition of chemotherapy to radiotherapy, compared with radiotherapy alone, improves local control and prolongs time to treatment failure and cancer-specific survival, results of a randomized phase III study confirm. Reuters Health Information
Juice from grapefruit, oranges, and apples, as well as the whole fruits, substantially decrease oral absorption of some drugs by blocking an intestinal uptake transporter, according to a report at the 236th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, underway in Philadelphia. Reuters Health Information
Reduced-toxicity conditioning can improve the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation candidates with advanced hematologic malignancies and older patients with more comorbidities, according to German researchers. Reuters Health Information
Monitoring and control of anticoagulants can be less than optimal in long-term care settings and, surprisingly, may also be less effective than in outpatient settings, according to a study by Canadian researchers published online in BioMed Central Geriatrics on July 3. The authors recommend addressing this with improved physician education and pharmacy monitoring. Reuters Health Information
