Doppler Ultrasound for High-Risk Pregnancies may Prevent Deaths

A recent data review conducted by researchers at the University of Liverpool in the UK has found that using Doppler ultrasound to monitor high-risk pregnancies may help avoid some fetal and newborn deaths. Doppler ultrasound, which gauges the amount of blood flowing through the umbilical cord, is done in the third trimester of high-risk pregnancies. By monitoring these pregnancies with this type of test, doctors can more easily identify whether or not the fetus is under stress and take action.

For women with health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney disease, their pregnancies may be considered high-risk, as well as pregnancies with poor fetal growth or other complications. Women with normal pregnancies should not receive Doppler ultrasound, as it is unnecessary for those with a low risk of problems.

In the review, led by Dr. Zarko Alfirevic, 16 studies that included more than 10,000 high-risk pregnancies were studied. Researchers observed a 29 percent lower risk of fetal and newborn death in women who had Doppler ultrasound.

Though the data review shed a lot of positive light on the Doppler ultrasound, it is still not completely clear how beneficial this type of monitoring is. There is fear that abnormal findings following this type of test could result in unnecessary cesarean sections and other types of medical intervention.

If your child was injured or died as a result of doctor or hospital negligence, call or e-mail us Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today. One of our experienced birth injury attorneys will evaluate your case for free. We have helped clients with Queens birth injury, Bronx birth injury, Brooklyn birth injury and Long Island birth injury cases, and we can help you too.

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FDA Approves Heart Valve Implant

The FDA has approved the first heart valve to be implanted by way of a vein in the leg and fed all the way up to the heart. The implant is intended to treat defects in the heart’s pulmonary valve, such as a leak, which a person is born with. The pulmonary valve, which helps manage the system that brings blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs properly, can then operate correctly.

Implantation of the Medtronic Melody Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve and Ensemble Delivery System will benefit patients with previously implanted valves that are no longer operating correctly by postponing the need for surgery.

The FDA noted that the implant can eventually wear out, requiring a replacement. Also, the valve does not cure a patient’s heart condition, but can allow continued function of the pulmonary valve and delay open heart surgery. Additional studies of the Medtronic system are required by the FDA to clarify the risks and benefits of this implant.

Heart disease is the number one killer in the nation, and failure to diagnose a heart attack is the number one medical malpractice mistake in the U.S. If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, please contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Silberstein Awad & Miklos today to schedule your free consultation. We have been helping clients with Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice, Queens medical malpractice and Long Island medical malpractice cases since 1981, and we can help you too.

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Study: More vitamin D lowers risk of colon cancer

In a recent study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), researchers have found that people with high levels of vitamin D in their blood have a lesser risk of developing colon cancer.

The study included over 520,000 people from several countries in Western Europe. Between 1992 and 1998, researchers collected blood samples from each participant and had them complete questionnaires concerning lifestyle and diet. Study participants were then tracked for several years following their assessment.

Researchers compared the 1,248 study participants who developed colorectal cancer at some point during their follow-up period with 1,248 people who did not develop the cancer. They concluded that for people with the highest levels of vitamin D in their blood, the risk of being diagnosed with colon cancer was up to 40 percent lower than that of people with the lowest levels of the vitamin.

Although these findings are valuable, it is not apparent whether colon cancer can be better prevented through a greater intake of vitamin D. In addition, researchers are unsure whether taking in high levels of the vitamin poses any risks. According to the National Cancer Institute, risk factors for developing colon cancer include age, obesity and lack of exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption.

If you or someone you love has been harmed by a delay in diagnosing or treating cancer, our cancer malpractice attorneys can help. Your initial consultation is FREE and there is no fee to you unless we recover money. Please call us today, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. Our firm has helped clients with Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Bronx cancer malpractice, Queens cancer malpractice and Long Island cancer malpractice cases.

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FDA Warning for Meridia Weight-Loss Pill Users

After a November study of the weight-loss pill Meridia, followed by an FDA warning, the pill’s manufacturer, Abbott Laboratories, has agreed to modify the label to include a new warning. Previously, the manufacturer emphasized that the drug was only approved for people with no history of heart disease.

The study included 10,000 participants age 55 and older who took either Meridia or a placebo pill. Participants were either overweight or obese and had a history of diabetes or heart disease. Researchers found that those who took the weight-loss pill had a slightly greater risk of heart attack and stroke than those who took the dummy pill.

Based on the findings of the study, the FDA issued a warning stating that Meridia, which was approved by the FDA in 1997, should not be taken by anyone with a history of heart problems to avoid additional risk. The FDA specifically stated that those with a history of coronary artery disease, stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack), congestive heart failure, heart arrhythmias, uncontrolled high blood pressure or peripheral arterial disease should not take the weight-loss pill.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also noted that anyone taking Meridia should speak with their doctor to be sure that it is still safe for them to take the drug. One consumer advocacy group, Public Citizen, argued last year there were 84 deaths associated with the Meridia and that the drug should be pulled from the market. If you have taken Meridia and have experienced any health issues that may be related to the product, you should first talk to your doctor to find out about available options. Next, please call or email the product liability lawyers at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. to schedule a free initial consultation.

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Study: Link between obesity and form of kidney cancer

A new study conducted by researchers at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan has found that obesity increases a person’s risk of developing renal cell cancer (RCC), the most common type of kidney cancer.

For the study, which was published in BJUI , the research team looked at 1,640 patients with kidney tumors with an average age of 62. They found that the risk of developing a clear-cell RCC, the most common form of renal cell cancer, was 48 percent higher for obese patients than those who were not obese (body-mass index of less than 30). Researchers also found that for every additional BMI point a patient had, their risk of developing RCC grew by 4 percent.

Sixty-seven percent of obese patients with malignant tumors had clear-cell RCC malignant tumors, while about 57 percent of patients who were not obese with malignant tumors experienced clear-cell RCC malignant tumors.

Researchers concluded that a person’s BMI is an independent clear-cell RCC predictor, with the risk of developing clear-cell RCC increasing as BMI increased. Other independent predictors of this form of kidney cancer were tumor size and gender, with men being at greater risk than women.

If you or someone you love has been harmed by a delay in diagnosing or treating cancer, our cancer malpractice attorneys can help. Your initial consultation is FREE and there is no fee to you unless we recover money. Call us today, or submit an instant inquiry now and we will respond within 24 hours. We have helped clients with Queens cancer malpractice, Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Bronx cancer malpractice and Long Island cancer malpractice cases.

Fish Oil in IV Beneficial to Patients with Sepsis

Medical journal Critical Care recently published findings of a study looking at the addition of fish oil to intravenous solutions given to patients with sepsis. According to the Mayo Clinic, sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition in response to an infection that can affect organ function.

For the study, fish oil was added to the normal IV nutrient solution of 13 intensive care patients with sepsis. Ten patients with sepsis were given the normal IV solution. Compared to patients who did not receive fish oil, those who did receive fish oil in their IVs had better lung function, lower levels of inflammatory chemicals in the blood and briefer hospital stays.

According to researcher Philip Calder of the University of Southampton in England, there has recently been more of an interest in the addition of fat and oil to intravenous nutrition for hospital patients. These components provide energy and necessary building blocks for patients fighting infection, in addition to supplying bioactive fatty acids.

Calder also noted that normal IV nutrient solutions use soybean oil, which contains no omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil does contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce the body’s reaction to inflammation.

Sepsis is a serious illness that can lead to death if not treated properly. If you or a loved one has questions about the quality of medical care received by a doctor or hospital, call Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys will answer any legal questions you may have and evaluate your case for free.

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Study: 3.5 million treated in ERs after automobile collisions

According to a recent government study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, roughly 3.5 million people required medical attention in 2006 in U.S. emergency rooms following an automobile accident. Injuries sustained by these accident victims ranged from scratches and black and blues to critical injuries.

The majority of these victims suffered only minor injuries, with 85 percent being treated and released from hospital emergency rooms. Approximately 320,000 were either admitted to the hospital or transported to a different hospital for treatment following their accident. About 8,000 people died in hospital emergency rooms as a result of motor vehicle collisions.

If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of motor vehicle crash, call or e-mail our auto accident attorneys today. One of our experienced collision lawyers will evaluate your case for free and help you get the compensation you deserve. Our firm proudly serves clients in New York, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and Long Island.

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Ten Percent of Births Worldwide are Premature

According to a new article released by the World Health Organization (WHO), of the 130 million births that occur each year in the world, one in ten is premature, meaning the baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation. Not surprisingly, the greater part of these premature births occur in less fortunate nations, with roughly 40 million premature births taking place in Africa and 70 million taking place in Asia annually.

Researchers and specialists from WHO also found that the number of premature births in wealthier regions, including North American and Europe, has also risen significantly in the past two decades. Of the total number of births in Africa in a single year, 12 percent were pre-term, while about 10.6 percent of births in North America were pre-term. Only about 6.2 percent of all births in Latin America in a single year were premature.

The article was based on data from around the world from the mid-1990s to 2007. In the United States, statistics show that as many as 50 percent of babies born at only 22 to 25 weeks of gestation may survive due to the quality of medical care available. However, in poorer regions that do not have infection-treating drugs, fewer babies born before 37 weeks of gestation survive.

The risk of birth defects, injuries and complications increases with a premature birth. However, some birth injuries are preventable. If your child has suffered a birth injury that may have been caused by a doctor or other medical professional, please call or e-mail us today. One of our experienced birth injury attorneys will evaluate your case for free. We have handled Bronx birth injury, Brooklyn birth injury, Queens birth injury and Long Island birth injury cases for our clients. Call us today for your free consultation.

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Greater Risk of Heart Attack in Winter Months

According to the American Heart Association, symptoms of a heart attack can either be intense and occur all of a sudden or begin slowly, causing only slight discomfort. Many people are unaware that as cold air is inhaled, the body attempts to stop the loss of heat by narrowing blood vessels (Dr. Holly Anderson, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center).

When blood vessels constrict, blood pressure goes up, causing a possible reduction in the amount of oxygen reaching the heart. This response to frigid air increases the risk of heart attack for anyone performing a strenuous activity, such as shoveling snow, and those with heart problems.

Common heart attack symptoms from the American Heart Association:

• Pain, discomfort or a squeezing sensation in the chest
• Pain in the arms, back, neck or jaw
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or a cold sweat

According to Dr. Anderson, a person can lessen their risk of heart attack in the winter months by stretching or walking before shoveling snow, dressing properly for the weather, using less strenuous methods of shoveling and taking 15 minute rests after shoveling for 15 minutes. Covering the mouth and nose with a scarf while outdoors can help to warm the air before inhaling, causing less vessel constriction. Smokers, those who are overweight and those who have already experienced a heart attack should consult their doctor before shoveling snow or performing other strenuous activities.

Be sure to take any possible heart attack symptoms seriously and seek medical attention immediately. If you or a loved one has experienced a delay in diagnosis or treatment of a heart attack, contact the cardiac malpractice attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today to schedule your free consultation. We serve clients with Queens heart attack, Brooklyn heart attack, Bronx heart attack and Long Island heart attack cases.

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