The recommended treatment

duration for a first episode of unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) is, at

a minimum, 3 months with extended anticoagulation favored for those who are not

at high risk for bleeding.  However, the

optimal duration of anticoagulation therapy remains unknown.

The Prolonged Anticoagulation

Treatment for a First Episode of Idiopathic Pulmonary Embolism (PADIS-PE) study

examines this question but, most importantly, provides insights about patient outcomes after anticoagulation

treatment is discontinued

Two new mAbs, alirocumab and

evolocumab, have been approved to treat elevated cholesterol when

added to maximally tolerated statin therapy in patients with familial

hypercholesterolemia or history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

(ASCVD). This new class of drugs, the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin

type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, is considered to be the biggest breakthrough in

cholesterol treatment since statins were approved 3 decades ago. But are they

worth it?

To treat acute asthma exacerbations in children,

how about a single dose of dexamethasone and your done!  Sounds simple, easy, and convenient.  But is it too good to be true?

How well do cardiovascular disease risk calculators really perform?  Do they over or underestimate risk?  Should we rely on them to make treatment decisions?

Stroke is responsible for 1 in 19 deaths in the United States and is the leading cause of long-term disability.  Could something as simple and cheap as folic acid substantially reduce the risk of stroke?  The China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial examined this important question.

Every

health professional takes an oath to service patients. To fulfill this

covenant, patient trust must be earned. Without trust, patients are unlikely to

share sensitive, personal information, hindering the provision of optimal

care. Gaining trust is influenced by many factors. What influence does attire

have on patients’ perceptions of their healthcare providers?

The American Diabetes Association and European Association for the Study of Diabetes (ADA/EASD) guidelines acknowledge that “CSII is a less commonly used and more costly alternative” to basal-bolus therapy in patients with T2DM.  The Opt2mise was a robust study intended to clarify the role of CSII in patients with T2DM.

Our guests - Dr. Cortney Mospan and Dr. Augustus (Rob) Hough - critically examine the results of the DAPT and PEGASUS-TIMI 54 studies and explain how the results should be applied in practice.

Could a commonly prescribed antibiotic, when

combined with a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor, lead to sudden death?

The ORBIT-AF study raises questions about anticoagulation therapy bridging practices.  Do the risks outweigh the benefits?