Cardiology

A new study identifies obesity and inactivity as independent risk factors for atrial fibrillation in postmenopausal women. Exercise attenuated the risk in the study cohort.

Scarring from mildly tender facial lesions; medications implicated in many emergency hospitalizations of older adults; sugar-sweetened beverages and risk of coronary heart disease . . . questions on these and other topics to challenge you.

Pseudosac with ectopic pregnancy, palmar erythema, pemphigoid gestationis, abdominal wall hematoma, dermatomyositis, livedo reticularis-visual presentations of health problems that occur frequently, or exclusively, in women.

Polysomnography or a home-based portable monitor is recommended for clinicians to assess the risk factors for and the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.

LDL cholesterol is a common target for treatment, but the guidelines do not used it to estimate risk, either, notes an editorial on the implications of the news guidelines.

Discoid lupus erythematosus; pharmacologic options for “statin-intolerant” patients; treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain . . . questions on these and other topics in this quiz.

A very large Swedish study and meta-analysis found a dose-response relationship between incident atrial fibrillation and alcohol, with an approximate 8% increase in risk for the arrhythmia per daily drink consumed.

High-sensitivity troponin T and N-terminal-pro-BNP were shown in 2 important studies to help predict risk of stroke and embolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation.

In a proof-of-principle study, German researchers evaluated an affordable, accessible, and cost-effective way to help diagnose atrial fibrillation after ischemic stroke, with promising results.

A painful nodule that keeps this woman up at night; treatment options for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; risk factors for statin adverse effects . . . some of the topics in this 5-question quiz.

Myocarditis, postpericardiotomy syndrome, double aortic arch, heart-hand syndromes, stroke, cardiac valvulopathy, hemochromatosis, myocardial rupture-these visual presentations cover a range of heart diseases and related problems.

A diagnosis of adenovirus had been made at an urgent care center and zinc-oxide diaper cream was recommended. The rash did not respond and the child grew more irritable. There's more to the case, here.

Kawasaki disease is an uncommon febrile vasculitis of unknown etiology. It typically affects young children and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed and treated.

Not only is there no increased risk of myocardial infarction among older men with testosterone therapy, there may be a protective effect.

A recent study found the lower cost to be the result of fewer episodes of major bleeding in patients treated with apixaban.

Post hoc analysis of the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 study looked at safety and efficacy of a novel oral anticoagulant in distinct groups with paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent atrial fibrillation.

A new study finds that ablation for atrial flutter reduces hospital-based costs, symptoms, and risk of atrial fibrillation. For stroke risk? Continue anticoagulation.

Lower blood pressure may be one dividend of an all-vegetarian diet, according to a recent meta-analysis.

A middle-aged woman presents to the ED complaining of chest pain, dyspnea, and emesis. Here, review results of a 12-lead ECG. How would you confirm a diagnosis of STEMI?

Here: 6 quick health tips (some even inspirational!) you can offer your male patients.

. . . . And then there’s lipoprotein(a), a diagnostic puzzle that involves acute abdominal pain and a CT scan in a woman with a complicated medical history, and skin lesions that look like coins. 5 questions in all. . . .

The presence of reciprocal change supports the diagnosis of STEMI and also is a sign of a high-risk patient.

New guidelines for the treatment of patients with high cholesterol may, or may not, be appropriate for persons with type 2 diabetes. Here are the pros and cons.

Brown eyes, blue sclera; stress tests when a patient can’t stress; CRPS type I vs CRPS type II: can you answer these quiz questions?

A meta-analysis shows both IV and oral formulations pose a risk of arrhythmia, the former more so than the latter. But these are very effective drugs. What next?