M. Alexander Otto began his reporting career early in 1999 covering the pharmaceutical industry for a national pharmacists' magazine and freelancing for the Washington Post and other newspapers. He then joined BNA, now part of Bloomberg News, covering health law and the protection of people and animals in medical research. Alex next worked for the McClatchy Company. Based on his work, Alex won a year-long Knight Science Journalism Fellowship to MIT in 2008-2009. He joined the company shortly thereafter. Alex has a newspaper journalism degree from Syracuse (N.Y.) University and a master's degree in medical science -- a physician assistant degree -- from George Washington University. Alex is based in Seattle.
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Half of outpatient antibiotics prescribed with no infectious disease code
SAN FRANCISCO – Clinicians prescribed 46% of antibiotics without an infection-related diagnosis code and 20% without an office visit.
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In utero efavirenz, dolutegravir exposure linked to childhood neurologic problems
SAN FRANCISCO – Still looking for the safest antiretroviral regimen during pregnancy.
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It’s time for universal CMV screening at birth
Most cases are missed.
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CorMicA: Nonobstructive angina should trigger functional testing
SAN DIEGO – Don’t be satisfied with a diagnosis of angina with no obstructive coronary artery disease; push for acetylcholine testing.
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SPRINT: Pill burden affects ability to reach systolic BP control
CHICAGO – Patients in the SPRINT trial were less likely to meet the intensive treatment goal – systolic blood pressure below 120 mm Hg – if they...
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CKD children need office blood pressures below the 75th percentile
CHICAGO – There is possible harm below the 50th percentile for pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease.
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Re-excision unnecessary in moderately dysplastic nevi with positive margins
Close observation with routine skin surveillance is reasonable.
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Get on top of home BP monitoring now
CHICAGO – The devices are good, available, and inexpensive, so what’s the holdup?
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FAST-FFR: Noninvasive FFR nearly as good as wire
SAN DIEGO – Measuring fractional flow reserve might soon get a whole lot easier.
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COAPT: MitraClip prolongs life in selected HF patients
SAN DIEGO – Patient selection is key.
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IMPERIAL: Eluvia stent tops Zilver PTX for PAD
SAN DIEGO – Uptake may be a matter of price.
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Residents curb IV antibiotic overuse in children
ATLANTA – A 21-fold price difference was seen between an IV antibiotic and its oral equivalent.
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Short sleep linked to elevated blood pressure
A study examined the association between elevated 24-hour systolic BP and short sleep duration.
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Pediatric hypertension linked to troubling MRI changes
The pilot study found evidence of impaired white matter integrity.
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Years after ALLHAT, alpha-blocker use still common, risky
Study investigators say there are few situations where alpha-blockers are the right prescription.