feinberg school of medicine

Common bronchodilator linked to increased deaths

admin — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500

(Northwestern University) A common bronchodilator drug which has been used for more than a decade by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been linked to a one-third higher risk of cardiovascular-related deaths. The drug is ipratropium. A new study from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine found that veterans with recently diagnosed COPD using ipratropium were 34 percent more likely to die of a heart attack or of arrhythmia.

Beijing pollution may trigger heart attacks, strokes

admin — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

(Northwestern University) The heavily polluted air in Beijing may trigger serious cardiovascular problems for some spectators. Researchers from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine warn that for people in certain risk groups, breathing high levels of pollution can cause heart attacks and strokes within 24 hours of exposure and increase the possibility of having blood clots in their legs on the plane home. Northwestern research shows that high pollution levels cause hyperclotting of the blood, spurring stokes and heart attacks.

Study shows gene variations may predict risk of breast cancer in...

admin — Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

(Northwestern Memorial Hospital) According to a recent study, led by Virginia Kaklamani, MD, an oncologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and assistant professor of medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, variations of the adiponectin gene, which regulates a number of metabolic processes, may increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. This discovery is an important step forward in cancer genetics research, as it could help experts develop a future genetic testing model to more accurately predict a woman's risk of developing breast cancer.

African Americans have 5 times higher amputation rate

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

(Northwestern University) A new study from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine has found people in African American communities in Chicago have a five times higher rate of lower limb amputations than people in the predominantly white suburbs and exurbs. This starkly contrasts to a declining overall amputation rate in northern Illinois due to improved care for diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. Amputations are the canary in the coal mine for primary care.

Drug for anemic cancer patients raises risk of death

admin — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 23:00:00 -0600

Millions of cancer patients take drugs to boost their red blood cells and health when they become anemic after chemotherapy. But a new study by Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine shows these drugs, called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, actually raise patients' risk of death by 10 percent, possibly by stimulating the growth of cancer cells.