Arizona Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog

Rice University and University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center were able to detect oral cancer cells with a fiber-optic cable and a$400 retail Olympus camera. These findings could facilitate the diagnosis of oral cancer.

For additional information, go to: http://www.rice.edu/

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered that a particular bacteria that resides in our stomach can ultimately result in autoimmune disorders such as arthritis. The study points out, however, that this appears only to impact individuals who have a genetic susceptibility to arthritis.
Immunity 32, 1-13, June 25, 2010, "Gut-residing segmented filamentous bacteria drive autoimmune arthritis via T helper 17 cells"

Gut-residing bacteria trigger arthritis in genetically-susceptible individuals

Researchers from Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University have designed a microchip containing human lung and blood cells that can be used in research to visualize how lungs react to various toxins and pollutants.

For more information, go to: Living, breathing human lung-on-a-chip: A potential drug-testing alternative

Recent study data show that salmeterol and formoterol (LABA) increase the risk patient intubation or death from an acute asthma event, even when combined with a corticosteroid (such as in the products Advair and Symbicort).

Reference: Long-acting beta-agonists with and without inhaled corticosteroids and catastrophic asthma events.

According to The Commonwealth Fund the U.S. has once again ranked as the highest cost healthcare system in the world and the lowest in overall in performance among seven countries. The top three performers were Netherlands, UK and Australia.

For additional information, go to: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: How the Performance of the U.S. Health Care System Compares Internationally, 2010 Update

The FDA recently reported that results from a post-approval clinical trial raised new concerns about the safety of Mylotarg. Additionally they reported that the drug failed to demonstrate clinical benefit to patients that had been enrolled in trials. Trials were stopped after observing these findings along with an increased number of deaths. At this time Mylotarg will no longer be available to new patients. Those still taking Mylotarg should consult with their physicians.
For complete information go to: Mylotarg (gemtuzumab ozogamicin): Market Withdrawal

Data from the University of Nottingham show that some statins increase the risk of liver dysfunction, acute renal failue, myopathy and cataracts. The study involved more than two million patients between 30-84 years' old from 2002 to 2008. Physicians are now encouraged to closely monitor their patients who are taking statins.

See the study at: Unintended effects of statins in men and women in England and Wales: population based cohort study using the QResearch database

See the accompanying editorial at: Balancing the intended and unintended effects of statins

Companion paper in the journal Heart: Individualising the risks of statins in men and women in England and Wales: population-based cohort study

Some Statins Have Unintended Effects and Warrant Closer Monitoring, Study Finds

Used for treating heart failure, hypertension, and cardiovascular risk reduction, ARBs are now associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. These findings come from a recent experimental studies using angiotensin-receptor blockers.

The Lancet Oncology, Early Online Publication, 14 June 2010

For additional information, go to: Angiotensin-receptor blockade and risk of cancer: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Data from two clinical trials involving type 2 diabetics taking the blood pressure medication, Benicar, experienced a higher rate of death from a cardiovascular complications than patients receiving a placebo. According to the FDA, they have not yet concluded that Benicar increases the risk of death and is not recommending that type 2 diabetics discontinue Benicar at this time.
To report an adverse event associated with Benicar:

Penumbra has developed a device that vacuums clots from intracranial blood vessels. The device is referred to as Continuous Aspiration Thrombectomy. At this time it is only being used on severe thrombotic stroke victims because it requires highly-trained specialists to perform the procedure.

For additional information, go to: The Penumbra System

A voluntary recall has been made by Hospira for several of its injectable products due to possible contamination with extremely small stainless steel particles. Because steel does not dissolve in blood it could potentially act as emboli and restrict blood flow (ischemia) to the brain (stroke), lungs (respiratory depression/failure), kidney failure, liver failure, myocardial infarct, or death.
The affected lots of Liposyn were distributed between December 2008 and April 2010.
If you have experienced an adverse event from these products, contact the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

• Online: MedWatch Online Voluntary Reporting Form (3500)
• Phone: 1-800-332-1088
• Mail: return the postage-paid FDA form 3500, which may be downloaded from the MedWatch "Download Forms" page, to address on the pre-addressed form
• Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178

According to U.S. News & World Report the best children's hospitals in the United States.
The top three specialty hospitals in each category are listed below:
Cancer
1. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.
2. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
3. Children's Hospital Boston

Diabetes and Endocrinology
1. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
2. Children's Hospital Boston
3. Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

Gastroenterology
1. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
2. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
3. Children's Hospital Boston

Heart and Heart Surgery
1. Children's Hospital Boston
2. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
3. Texas Children's Hospital, Houston

Kidney
1. Children's Hospital Boston
2. Seattle Children's Hospital
3. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Neonatology
1. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
2. Children's Hospital Boston
3. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Neurology and Neurosurgery
1. Children's Hospital Boston
2. Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Baltimore.
3. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Orthopaedics
1. Children's Hospital Boston
2. Children's Medical Center - Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas
3. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Pulmonology
1. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
2. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
3. Children's Hospital Boston

Urology
1. Children's Hospital Boston
2. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
3. Riley Hospital for Children Clarian Health Partners, Indianapolis

SOURCES:
News release, U.S. News & World Report.
U.S. News & World Report: "U.S. News Best Children's Hospitals 2010-11."

Over 5,000 DBP-2800 batteries have been recalled by Defibtech, LLC because they may falsely detect an error condition during charging for a shock, then cancel charge and not provide therapy. The defective batteries were shipped before June 4, 2007.

For additional information from the MedWatch, go to: Defibtech DBP-2800 Battery Packs used in Lifeline AED and ReviveR AED: Recall

Australian scientists at Monash University have developed a antibody-impregnated paper that can be used to determine a patient's blood type. This method is expected to cost just a few cents per test and provide results within as little as 4 minutes.

For additional information, go to: : Blood Type Testing Using Paper--Significantly More Cost-Effective

Most prescriptions are offered in tablet form today. Tablets unfortunately are made of more than 99% fillers. The actual prescription medication is less than 1% of the pill and is mixed in with the fillers. This requires digesting the entire pill before the medication is in your system.

Fortunately, the University of Leeds and Durham University are attempting to develop a process where prescriptions can be imprinted on the exterior of tablets. A process that GlaxoSmithKline developed but can only use in less than 1% of prescriptions.

The benefits of printable prescriptions will be faster acting and will allow for printing several prescriptions onto one pill.

For additional information, go to: Printable prescription pills will be safer and faster-acting

In spite of recent significant off-label-use fines, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson continue to condone off-label uses of their drugs to increase their overall profit.

For additional information, go to: Drugmakers continue 'off-label marketing' despite large fines

Two lots of GammaGard Liquid have been recalled due to allergic reactions.
For further information, including a link to the Market Withdrawal Notice, go to:

GammaGard Liquid, Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)

New York Times reported that the initial report of unread echocardiograms at the Harlem Hospital Center is worse than initially reported. Apparently the unread reports go back to 2005, not 2007. Additionally, they believe that the number of unread reports in close to 5,000, not 4,000.

Scope of Unread Heart Tests in Harlem Hospital Widens

Metronidazole, Ciprofloxacin and Ondansetron sold under the Claris, Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, and West-Ward Pharmaceuticals labels.

Intravenous medications, metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and ondansetron manufactured by Claris Lifesciences have been recalled due to contamination. Reports of floating matter were received by the FDA.
For further information, go to: Intravenous Medications Manufactured by Claris: Recall due to contamination of products