4/March /2022 Top Medical Bulletin

Here are top medical stories for today 

Variable cuff size to affect hypertension levels

A recent study found that variable cuff size severely altered the blood pressure levels. In people in whom a small adult cuff was appropriate, systolic Blood Pressure readings were on average 3.6 mm Hg lower when a regular adult size cuff was used but, systolic readings were on average 4.8 mm Hg higher when a regular cuff was used in people who required a large adult cuff and 19.5 mm Hg higher in those needing an extra-large cuff based on their mid-arm circumference. This provides a valuable insight to use the appropriate cuff size during blood pressure measurement. Study was presented as E poster in EPI Lifestyle.

Tranexamic Acid Administration to affect thromboembolic Events and mortality in Patients With Traumatic Injury

Tranexamic acid is indicated for menorrhagia and bleeding in patients with hemophilia but also commonly administered for bleeding related to cardiac surgery, orthopedic surgery, and traumatic injuries.

Findings in JAMA Network Open suggest that tranexamic acid may be beneficial in various patient populations with trauma. However, reasonable concerns about potential thromboembolic events with tranexamic acid remain.

Study examined the association of tranexamic acid administration with mortality and thromboembolic events compared with no treatment or with placebo in patients with traumatic injury in the literature. 

Less antibiotic use in dentistry not linked to increase in endocarditis

Congenital Heart Disease is complicated and the individuals with congenital heart disease, prosthetic heart valves or previous endocarditis are at higher risk of infection. Sweden is one among the few countries that have removed the dental health recommendation to give prophylactic antibiotics to people at a higher risk of infection of the heart valves, so-called infective endocarditis.

Since the recommendation was removed in 2012, there has been no increase in this disease as published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. The recommendation was supplemented in 2016 with an instruction to consider prophylactic antibiotic treatment if prescribed by the patient's doctor. It is unclear how this addition has influenced the prescription of antibiotics by dentists.

Low-meat and meat-free diets associated with lower overall cancer risk

Excessive consumption of meat and meat products isnt advised. Eating meat five times or less per week is associated with a lower overall cancer risk, according to a study published in BMC Medicine. The researchers found that the overall cancer risk was 2% lower among those who ate meat five times or less per week, 10% lower among those who ate fish but not meat, and 14% lower among vegetarians and vegans, compared to those who ate meat more than five times per week.