This Week: Vagal nerve blockade for weight loss; stopping inhaled steroids in COPD

Nathan and Amol want you to:

1. Learn about vagal nerve blockade as a potential new weight loss intervention

2. Understand that we may be able to safely taper and stop inhaled glucocorticoids in patients with stable severe COPD who are already on two inhaled bronchodilators.

Continuing Medical Education

Internists can receive 0.5 hours of Continuing Medical Education credit for each podcast they listen to through the Canadian Society of Internal Medicine (MOC Category 1) and the American Medical Association (PRA Category 1). To receive CME credit for listening to this podcast, please click here to fill out our Evaluation and Impact Assessment Form.

The papers

Sayeed Ikramuddin et al. Effect of Reversible Intermittent Intra-abdominal Vagal Nerve Blockade on Morbid Obesity. JAMA 2014;312(9):915-922.

Helgo Magnussen et al. Withdrawal of Inhaled Glucocorticoids and Exacerbations of COPD. NEJM 2014;371:1285-1294.

Good stuff

Nathan – You can’t stop Ebola at airports by Andre Picard.

Amol:

Spinal manipulation and home exercise with advice for subacute and chronic back-related leg pain. 

Goal-Directed Resuscitation for Patients with Early Septic Shock.

Lower versus Higher Hemoglobin Threshold for Transfusion in Septic Shock.