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Age is not necessarily a barrier to treatment of cardiovascular disease
For people over the age of 80 who suffer from cardiovascular diseases such as peripheral vascular disease requiring diagnostic imaging and stenting procedures, a new study presented recently at the Society of Interventional Radiology meeting in Washington reveals that age is not necessarily a barrier to treatment. Dr. George Hartnell, FRCP, Chief, Cardiovascular and Interventional…
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Controlling atrial fibrillation
For people with congestive heart failure, the development of an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation can increase the risk of death. An international study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, led by Montreal’s Heart Institute investigated the two options usually employed to control atrial fibrillation to keep patients healthy under these…
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Basic Life Support for major traumatic injuries by paramedics works as well as Advanced Life Support
Patients with major traumatic injuries fare just as well if they are given Basic Life Support (BLS) by paramedics than if they are given Advanced Life Support (ALS), according to the Ontario Pre-hospital Advanced Life Support (OPALS) study. The results, published in the April 22, 2008 edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, also suggest…
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We're all to blame for staying mum on mental illness
What is it about mental illness that generates discomfort for people? Ignoring the warning signs of an imminent mental breakdown is believed to have been a contributing factor in one well-publicized case that ended in tragedy for the Lall family. Why does it take a tragedy to discuss mental illness when it is so prevalent…
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Cooling the body may reduce extent of traumatic brain injuries
A review published in this week’s The Lancet claims that induced hypothermia is underused in the UK and in the USA. This practice of deliberately cooling the body is capable of preventing or limiting permanent injuries if it is employed within the first couple of hours of a clinical event. Dr. Klees Polderman, Department of…
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Regenerating retinal cells in the eye
Eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration result in the loss of vision in a slow and unrelenting fashion due to the deteriorating and damaged retina. A team of scientists at the Schepens Eye Research Institute and Harvard Medical School has published a study in the March issue of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual…
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Lung Association calls for universally accessible smoking cessation supports for all smokers
The Lung Association is calling for universally accessible smoking cessation supports for all smokers living in Canada. This recommendation is based on the results of its new report entitled “Making Quit Happen: Canada’s Challenges to Smoking Cessation”. Dr. Anthony D’Urzo, MD, MSc, BPHE, CCFP, FCFP, Family Physician and Director of Primary Care Lung Clinic, Toronto…
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Health Council of Canada's report on health care
Health Council of Canada’s latest report to Canadians, Rekindling Reform: Health Care Renewal in Canada, 2003 to 2008 released this week reviews governments’ efforts to fulfill promises and intentions for health reform that began in 2003 with the 2003 Accord on Health Care Renewal. What are the results of the billions of dollars committed to…
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The effects of anti-psychotic drug use in older people with dementia
An ICES study recently reported that older adults with dementia who receive short-term courses of antipsychotic medications are more likely to experience a serious adverse event requiring hospitalization than those who do not take the drugs. Dr. Paula Rochon, MD, MPH, FRCPC Senior Scientist and Assistant Director at the Kunin Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit –…
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