Tag Archives: personalised medicine

Introduction Prophylactic replacement of the aortic root aims to resect the aortic aneurysm and so mitigate the risk of dissection or rupture. There are two established surgical techniques: total root replacement (TRR), which involves replacement of the aortic root and valve with a composite valve conduit, or valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR). TRR is now a straightforward operation with a low operative risk, but it involves replacement of the aortic valve, which is normal in many patients. This then commits the patient either to life-long anticoagulation with a mechanical valve, or structural valve degeneration if a tissue valve is used.

FH: improving detection in primary care The launch of the NICE (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence) guidelines for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) heralded great optimism for improving detection rates in primary care.1 Even with new research showing that FH is more common than previously thought,2  still around 80% of patients are not recognised. Novel detection approaches are clearly needed. Professor Nadeem Qureshi (University of Nottingham) presented preliminary findings from six GP centres taking part in FAMCHOL (Feasibility of Improving Identification of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia in General Practice: Intervention