Month: June 2014

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are used to help people with advanced heart failure. But new research suggests that they may also help those with moderate heart failure live longer. Moderate heart failure is defined as having ejection fractions of between 30% and 35%. An ejection fraction is the percent of blood the heart can pump out of its main chamber with each heartbeat. Ejection fractions below 30% indicate advanced heart failure. Researchers looked at 2 groups over the course of 3 years. The first group, of 3,120 people, had moderate heart failure. The second group, of 4,578 people, had advanced heart failure. In each group, researchers compared survival rates between those who had an ICD and those who did not. For those with an ICD, survival rates improved in both groups. The Journal of the American Medical Association published the study.

Current guidelines suggest halting colon-cancer screening at age 75 for people who have been screened regularly. But a new study finds that it may be worthwhile, even as late as 86, for those who have never been tested before. The study was based on a computer model. It looked at risks and benefits of screening for a simulated group of people. The model projected what would happen if they were screened for colon cancer for the first time at different ages, from 76 to 90. Researchers concluded that screening would be worthwhile and cost-effective up to age 83 for colonoscopy, 84 for sigmoidoscopy and 86 for fecal occult blood tests. These conclusions apply to healthy seniors. Those with moderate or severe health conditions would benefit only into their late 70s or early 80s. The gains of life from screening would be small, however.