Minerva

Lung lobectomy is safer when performed thorascopically rather than by thoracotomy, say researchers in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (2009;138:419-25; doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2009.04.026). Thoracoscopic lobectomy is associated with a lower incidence of major complications, including atrial fibrillation, and it is less painful, requires less time in hospital, and makes it easier to administer adjuvant chemotherapy. The other complications seen less commonly with the thoracoscopic approach are atelectasis, prolonged air leaks, transfusions, pneumonia, sepsis, renal failure, and death.

What is the long term risk of having sustained white coat hypertension or masked hypertension? An Italian study followed up more than 1400 patients for 10 years after they entered a blood pressure study. After 10 years 18.2% of normotensive people, 42.6% of those with white coat hypertension, and 47.1% with masked hypertension had developed …