Percutaneous Repair or Surgery for Mitral Regurgitation (the EVEREST II study), published in the NEJM on April 4th, compares the use of a mitral-valve clip with traditional surgery for repair or replacement of a leaking mitral valve. The authors concluded: “Although percutaneous repair was less effective at reducing mitral regurgitation than conventional surgery, the procedure was associated with superior safety …
Teenage Obesity and future diabetes, heart disease
Obese teenagers are at risk for diabetes and heart disease in the future In a new study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine (1), 37,000 Israeli teen aged men were followed for 17 years. Body Mass Index (BMI) was recorded regularly during the follow-up period. A higher BMI at age 17 was associated with an increased risk for …
In itch and cough in my chest
Q: “I am 18, 5’11”, Korean American, and have a normal heart except when I expel air forcibly. (longer tones and higher pitches) The cough feels like an itch in my chest, rather than my throat, and cough drops do not help. The chest movements are the biggest source of concern, as a doctor has told me that the heart …