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Are appropriateness criteria ready for use in clinical practice?

Article Abstract:

Doctors should begin to incorporate appropriateness criteria in their practice. These criteria generally focus on a hypothetical set of patients with a specific disease and estimate which patients would benefit most from certain treatments and which would not. In addition to being used for individual patients, the criteria can be used to determine whether groups of patients are not receiving the care they need.

Usage, Decision support systems

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Decreased rate of coronary restenosis after lowering of plasma homocysteine levels

Article Abstract:

Lowering blood levels of homocysteine using folic acid and other B vitamins can prevent coronary arteries from becoming blocked after coronary angioplasty, according to a study of 205 patients. Coronary angioplasty is used to open blocked arteries in people with coronary artery disease but the arteries can become blocked again within a year of treatment.

Physiological aspects, Coronary arteries, Arterial occlusive diseases, Homocysteine

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FDA approval of coronary-artery brachytherapy

Article Abstract:

The FDA has approved two devices for delivering small doses of radiation to the inside of coronary arteries. This is done to prevent the arteries from becoming blocked again after angioplasty. One device uses beta radiation and the other uses gamma radiation.

Evaluation, Radioisotope brachytherapy, Brachytherapy

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