Curated News: Medical Meetings

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7-Oct-2013 2:00 PM EDT
Decontaminating the Sanitizer Dispenser, Giving Health Care Workers Their Own Hand Gel Reduces Operating Room Contamination Significantly
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

Simple remedies – from keeping the antibacterial gel dispenser clean to giving health care workers their own hand sanitizer – can help keep patients safe by decreasing contamination in operating and recovery rooms, suggest two studies presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting.

7-Oct-2013 2:00 PM EDT
Polyamine-Deficient Diet Treatment Relieves Pain Before and After Spinal Surgery
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

Before and after spinal surgery, patients on a polyamine-deficient diets experienced significant relief of both chronic and acute pain, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting.

7-Oct-2013 2:00 PM EDT
Fibromyalgia Sufferers Get Significant Pain Relief From IV Lidocaine
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

Patients with fibromyalgia resistant to more routine therapies have a new pain relief treatment available, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. Intravenous (IV) lidocaine infusion provided significant pain relief to fibromyalgia patients, although the pain relief was much less for African-Americans and smokers.

7-Oct-2013 2:00 PM EDT
Study Identifies Which Bipolar Patients Will Respond to Ketamine Therapy for Depression, Pain
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

Researchers have discovered how to determine which bipolar patients will benefit from Ketamine, a treatment commonly used for depression and pain relief, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting.

7-Oct-2013 2:00 PM EDT
Persistent Pain Following Cardiac Surgery Can Be Predicted and Reduced
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

The incidence of chronic pain following cardiac surgery can be reduced in patients when the drug pregabalin is used before surgery and for 14 days post-surgery, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. The study also found that patients at risk of developing long-term post-operative persistent pain can be predicted by conducting pain sensitivity tests at the time of surgery.

7-Oct-2013 2:00 PM EDT
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation: Promising Long-Term Treatment for Chronic Headache Sufferers
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

For the more than 45 million Americans who suffer from chronic headaches, relief may be on the way in the form of an electric pulse, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. Electric stimulation of the peripheral nerve reduced average headache intensity by more than 70 percent.

7-Oct-2013 2:00 PM EDT
People Born with Certain Gene More Likely to Suffer Long-Term Cognitive Decline After Heart Surgery
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

Long-term memory loss, difficulty understanding verbal or written communication or impaired ability to pay attention may still occur five years after heart surgery if a patient has a certain gene variation, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. This gene was found to be related to a decline in cognitive capabilities compared to those who do not have the variation.

7-Oct-2013 2:00 PM EDT
When Millennial Med Students’ iPad® Use for Instruction Goes Up, Personal Use Goes Down
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

With the entry of “Millenials” into medical residency programs across the country, institutions have started to examine ways to improve programs to correspond with that generation’s learning behaviors and preferences. A study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting found that Millennial residents use their iPad® to enhance their educational experience. Surprisingly, as residents increased use of their iPad® for educational purposes, their personal iPad® use decreased significantly.

7-Oct-2013 2:00 PM EDT
Kids Having Tonsils Removed Get Better Pain Relief with IV Acetaminophen
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

Using intravenous (IV) acetaminophen with narcotics provides more effective pain relief to children having tonsillectomies, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. Additionally, the combination therapy saves costs due to reduced use of narcotics after surgery, reduced side effects and slightly quicker hospital discharge than in patients who receive narcotics alone.

7-Oct-2013 2:00 PM EDT
Chronic Pain Treatment Cools Hot Flashes in Menopausal Women
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

Menopausal women suffer from half as many hot flashes after receiving a non-hormonal chronic pain treatment, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. The nerve block treatment interrupts the area of the brain that regulates body temperature, reducing moderate-to-severe hot flashes and alleviating depression in menopausal women, breast cancer patients and women in surgical menopause.

Released: 11-Oct-2013 8:00 PM EDT
A Statement from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

The American Society of Anesthesiologists commends Missouri Governor Jay Nixon on his decision not to use propofol in a manner that may have significantly affected the availability of this medication for the anesthetic care of patients in America. Propofol’s wide-spread patient acceptance and tolerance in procedures requiring anesthesia make this medicine critically important to providing the most optimal outcomes for patients.

Released: 11-Oct-2013 2:00 PM EDT
Is SEDASYS® a Disruptive Innovation?: a Late-Breaking, Special Panel at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 Annual Meeting
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

An overview of the SEDASYS® system, including its indications for use and operation. Panelists will review specific clinical and administrative recommendations that will help Directors of Anesthesia Services and practicing physician anesthesiologists integrate the device into practice in the safest and most efficient fashion.

Released: 10-Oct-2013 12:00 PM EDT
Patient and Family Involvement Can Improve Health Outcomes
National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ)

Individual patient outcomes and overall community health can be enhanced and improved when medical providers partner with patients and families in the design and delivery of health care services, according to a leading patient advocate in her keynote address at the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ, www.nahq.org) annual educational conference.

4-Oct-2013 3:10 PM EDT
Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Combination Could Aid Wound Healing
Johns Hopkins Medicine

Johns Hopkins researchers, working with elderly mice, have determined that combining gene therapy with an extra boost of the same stem cells the body already uses to repair itself leads to faster healing of burns and greater blood flow to the site of the wound.

Released: 9-Oct-2013 9:45 AM EDT
American Association for Cancer Research Co-Hosts Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) will host their annual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics from Oct. 19-23, 2013, at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Mass.

1-Oct-2013 3:00 PM EDT
University of Michigan Surgeon Brings Minimally Invasive Operation to Nicaragua
American College of Surgeons (ACS)

A University of Michigan surgeon has found a way to successfully perform laparoscopic gallbladder removal in Nicaragua, despite limited clinical resources and poor operating room conditions.

Released: 7-Oct-2013 2:00 PM EDT
Fourth Annual American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)-Sponsored Run For The Warriors® 5K Run/Walk
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

Run For The Warriors® is a unique race dedicated to the men and women wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, their families, and families of the fallen. It provides wounded service members the opportunity to run, walk or cycle to assist in their physical and emotional rehabilitation.

Released: 7-Oct-2013 9:30 AM EDT
Community Health Centers Focusing on Population-Based Care and Holistic Approaches
National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ)

Transformation in U.S. health care delivery systems and associated quality measurements in the wake of reforms implemented by Affordable Care Act might be most impactful within community health centers (CHC). Many are shifting from an acute care, clinic-visit model toward more holistic, population-based care, according to the chief executive of a large health center caring for underserved populations in his keynote remarks to the annual conference of the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ).

1-Oct-2013 5:00 PM EDT
How Binge Drinking Impairs Healing of Broken Bones
Loyola Medicine

Physicians have long observed that binge drinking impairs healing of broken bones. A new study is providing insights into how alcohol slows healing on the cellular and molecular levels. The findings could lead to better treatments to improve bone healing.

3-Oct-2013 12:00 PM EDT
Skin Infection Linked to Exposure to Aquariums is Under-Diagnosed
Henry Ford Health

A skin infection linked to exposure to contaminated water in home aquariums is frequently under-diagnosed, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study. Researchers say diagnosing and managing Mycobacterium marinum infection is difficult because skin lesions don’t appear for two to four weeks after incubation, leading to delayed treatment and unnecessary and ineffective use of antifungal and antibacterial agents.

3-Oct-2013 1:45 PM EDT
Penn Experts Reveal New Data-Driven Machine Learning Method that Effectively Flags Risk for Post-Stroke Dangers
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

A team of experts in neurocritical care, engineering, and informatics, with the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, have devised a new way to detect which stroke patients may be at risk of a serious adverse event following a ruptured brain aneurysm.

Released: 2-Oct-2013 9:30 AM EDT
Free Head, Neck Cancer Screenings Have Positive Impact in Urban Areas
Henry Ford Health

Offering free head and neck cancer screenings annually to the community not only has the possibility of early detection, but also the opportunity – particularly in an urban city – to increase a person’s understanding of risk factors that cause cancer, according to a new study from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

1-Oct-2013 10:00 AM EDT
Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease May Be Linked with Extensive Neurodegeneration
Universite de Montreal

Patients with mild cognitive impairment had significantly more cortical thinning and subcortical atrophy over time compared with patients without MCI, suggesting that early MCI in parkinson disease patients may indicate faster neurodegeneration

Released: 1-Oct-2013 1:30 PM EDT
Over-the Counter as Effective as Rx at Managing Post-Tonsillectomy Pain
Henry Ford Health

You may be able to eat all of the ice cream you want after having your tonsils removed, but researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit say you don’t necessarily need a prescription to reduce post-operative pain – an over-the-counter pain-reliever is just as effective.

Released: 1-Oct-2013 11:00 AM EDT
Role of Neuroimaging in Dementia Major Focus of International Symposium
Houston Methodist

People predisposed to Alzheimer disease have excessive amounts of a protein called beta amyloid in their brains. This protein can be detected by a neuroimaging technique called brain PET. Houston Methodist Hospital’s Nantz National Alzheimer Center will focus on the role of neuroimaging in diagnosing different types of dementia during its Third Annual International Alzheimer Symposium on Oct. 16.

Released: 1-Oct-2013 9:30 AM EDT
Second Opinions Matter: Neurosurgeons to Debate Pros and Cons of Treatments in Bold New Controversy Sessions
Congress of Neurological Surgeons

The Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) is the largest neurosurgical society in the world and the global leader in neurosurgical education, serving to promote health by advancing neurosurgery worldwide through innovation and excellence in education. The CNS Annual Meeting is an essential destination for medical professionals and others seeking to learn about important medical advances in the field of neurosurgery.

27-Sep-2013 1:00 PM EDT
Penn Medicine Researcher Unveils Findings On Two New Weapons Against Thyroid Cancer
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Abstract #28 (Late Breaking): An open-label, multi-center phase 2 study of the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib in patients with metastatic or unresectable papillary thyroid cancer (ptc) positive for the BRAF V600 mutation and resistant to radioactive iodine (nct01286753, no25530) Abstract #3155: Association between tumor BRAF and RAS mutation status and clinical outcomes in patients with radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) randomized to sorafenib or placebo: sub-analysis of the phase III DECISION trial

Released: 26-Sep-2013 10:00 AM EDT
American Association for Cancer Research Co-Hosts Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) will host their annual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics from Oct. 19-23, 2013, at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Mass.

25-Sep-2013 11:00 AM EDT
Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) Reduces Need for Feeding Tubes by 50 Percent in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

A new study from researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center found that the use of feeding tubes in oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) cancer patients treated with intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) decreased by more than 50 percent compared to patients treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). This suggests that proton therapy may offer vital quality of life benefits for patients with tumors occurring at the back of the throat.

Released: 25-Sep-2013 10:40 AM EDT
Physicians Experience Increased Effort and Uncertainty in Cross-Coverage of Radiation Oncology Patients
University of North Carolina Health Care System

Radiation oncology physicians who encounter an unfamiliar case when cross covering for another physician experience higher levels of perceived workload and may perhaps also effects on performance, according to research conducted at the University of North Carolina.

Released: 25-Sep-2013 8:15 AM EDT
Unstable Chromosomes Linked to Less Favorable Response to Radiation Therapy and Surgery in Prostate Cancer Patients
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)

Detailed evaluation of a prostate cancer tumor biopsy may predict treatment outcomes for image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) or surgery for prostate cancer, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO’s) 55th Annual Meeting.

Released: 24-Sep-2013 3:00 PM EDT
Living Better with Heart Failure by Changing What You Eat
Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan

Just 21 days of following a low-sodium DASH diet lowered blood pressure and improved heart function for older adults living with a common type of heart failure.

Released: 24-Sep-2013 11:00 AM EDT
Targeted Radiation Therapy Safe, Effective Treatment For Elderly with Pancreatic Cancer
Henry Ford Health

A highly targeted cancer radiation therapy may offer a safe and effective treatment option for elderly pancreatic cancer patients unable to undergo surgery or combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

Released: 24-Sep-2013 11:00 AM EDT
Proton Therapy Cuts Side Effects for Pediatric Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

The precise targeting and limited dosing of radiation via proton therapy is proving to be an advantage in ongoing efforts to reduce treatment side effects among head and neck cancer patients, according to a new study of pediatric patients from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The results were presented today at the 55th annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) conference.

Released: 24-Sep-2013 9:00 AM EDT
HPV Linked to Growing Number of Young Adults with Oropharyngeal Cancer
Henry Ford Health

The human papillomavirus (HPV) may be to blame for the alarming increase of young adults with oropharyngeal cancer, according to researchers from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

Released: 24-Sep-2013 8:15 AM EDT
External Beam Radiation Therapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer Does Not Increase Mortality Risks Due to Cardiac Conditions or Secondary Cancers
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)

Early-stage breast cancer patients who receive external beam therapy (XRT) are not at higher risk for serious long-term side effects in the chest area, including increase in deaths from cardiac disease and secondary malignancies, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO’s) 55th Annual Meeting.

Released: 23-Sep-2013 5:30 PM EDT
Protecting Specific Area of the Brain During Radiation Therapy Substantially Reduces Rate of Memory Loss in Cancer Patients
University of Maryland Medical Center

Protecting the stem cells that reside in and around the hippocampus – a C-shaped area in the temporal lobe on both sides of the brain associated with the ability to form and store memories – substantially reduces the rate of cancer patients’ memory loss during whole-brain radiotherapy without a significant risk of recurrence in that area of the brain, a new study shows.

Released: 23-Sep-2013 5:30 PM EDT
Early Imaging, Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Leads to Changes in Patient Care, Better Outcomes for Those Suffering from the Early Stages of the Disease
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences

Patients suffering from early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease who were diagnosed sooner than usual using a brain imaging test received Alzheimer-specific medications earlier than those who did not have the brain imaging results available to their doctors or themselves. These patients also had significantly better clinical outcomes during the subsequent years they were clinically monitored, UCLA researchers have found for the first time.

Released: 23-Sep-2013 2:00 PM EDT
Drug Fails to Reduce Diarrhea in Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy
Mayo Clinic

Sulfasalazine, a drug commonly prescribed to reduce diarrhea in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, does not reduce diarrhea in patients receiving radiation therapy for cancers in the pelvic area a Mayo Clinic-led study has found. The study also found that the medication may be associated with a higher risk of diarrhea than a placebo when used during radiation therapy to the pelvis. The results were presented today at the American Society of Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO’s) 55th Annual Meeting in Atlanta.

Released: 23-Sep-2013 10:45 AM EDT
Long-Term Hormonal Therapy in Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients Does Not Improve Overall Survival
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)

A secondary analysis of the historic RTOG 9202 prostate cancer trial examined results of men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer who had received long-term hormonal therapy after radiation therapy, and concluded that there were no additional benefits when compared to short-term hormonal therapy, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO’s) 55th Annual Meeting.

18-Sep-2013 11:00 AM EDT
Simple, Two-Question Survey Accurately Screens Cancer Patients for Depression
Loyola Medicine

Cancer patients can be accurately screened for major depression with a simple two-question survey, according to a study presented Sept. 23 at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s 55th Annual Meeting.

Released: 23-Sep-2013 8:30 AM EDT
Patient-Reported Outcomes Provide Valuable Insight Regarding Quality of Life for Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)

An analysis of quality of life (QOL) data of stage III lung cancer patients who received higher doses of radiation therapy (with chemotherapy) shows a significantly lower quality of life at 3 months after treatment compared to patients who received a standard dose of radiation (with chemotherapy), according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO’s) 55th Annual Meeting.

Released: 23-Sep-2013 8:30 AM EDT
Avoiding Specific Region of Brain During Whole-Brain Radiotherapy Prevents Memory Loss
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)

Limiting the amount of radiation absorbed in the hippocampal portion of the brain during whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) for brain metastases preserves memory function in patients for up to six months after treatment, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO’s) 55th Annual Meeting.

Released: 23-Sep-2013 8:30 AM EDT
Fewer Weeks of Hormone Therapy Before Radiation Treatment Reduces Side Effects and Yields Comparable Disease-Specific-Survival for Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer Patients
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)

A shorter course of androgen suppression therapy prior to radiation therapy, when compared to a longer course of androgen suppression therapy, yields favorable outcomes and fewer adverse effects for intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO) 55th Annual Meeting.

Released: 23-Sep-2013 8:30 AM EDT
Two-Item Questionnaire Proves to Be a Valid Depression Screening Tool for Radiation Therapy Patients
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)

Cancer patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) who are potentially suffering from depression can be effectively identified by a two-item questionnaire, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO’s) 55th Annual Meeting.

Released: 22-Sep-2013 6:15 PM EDT
ASTRO and AUA Joint Guideline for Radiation Therapy After Prostatectomy Highlighted at ASTRO Annual Meeting
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) will highlight the recently published Adjuvant and Salvage Radiotherapy After Prostatectomy: ASTRO/AUA Guideline during ASTRO’s 55th Annual Meeting, September 22-25, 2013, in Atlanta.

Released: 22-Sep-2013 3:00 PM EDT
Adult Cancer Patients Younger Than 50 Presenting with a Limited Number of Brain Metastases Have Improved Overall Survival After Stereotactic Radiosurgery Alone
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)

When treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), that is not combined with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), adult brain cancer patients who were 50 years old and younger were found to have improved survival, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO’s) 55th Annual Meeting.

Released: 22-Sep-2013 2:35 PM EDT
Proton Therapy Is a Cost-Effective Treatment for Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)

Proton therapy, an external beam radiotherapy in which protons deliver precise radiation doses to a tumor and spare healthy organs and tissues, is cost-effective in treating medulloblastomas, fast-growing brain tumors that mainly affect children, when compared to standard photon radiation therapy, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO’s) 55th Annual Meeting.

Released: 22-Sep-2013 2:10 PM EDT
Study Shows Cisplatin Combined with High-Dose Brachytherapy for Advanced Cervical Cancer May Be More Beneficial
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)

Adding the chemotherapy drug cisplatin to a treatment plan of radiation therapy (RT) and high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRB) for stage IIIB cervical cancer is beneficial, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO’s) 55th Annual Meeting. The study also indicated that the combined treatments produced acceptable levels of toxicity.

Released: 22-Sep-2013 10:00 AM EDT
Encouraging Outcomes for Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients Treated with Proton Therapy
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)

When used to treat pediatric patients with intracranial malignant tumors, proton therapy may limit the toxicity of radiation therapy while preserving tumor control, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO’s) 55th Annual Meeting.



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