New Approach Successfully Reduces Postcesarean Opioid Use

Opioid epidemic, drug abuse and overdose concept with scattered prescription opioids spilling from orange bottle with copy space. Hydrocodone is the generic name for a range of opiate painkillersOral opioids are regularly prescribed in the United States following cesarean delivery. But in the face of the growing opioid epidemic, the wisdom of this practice is under increasing scrutiny.
Read More

At the Forefront of Immunotherapy for Glioblastoma

E. Antonio Chiocca headshotPhysician-investigators in the Department of Neurosurgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital are leading clinical trials of cutting-edge approaches for treating glioblastoma. Clinical trials are currently underway for patients with recurrent, progressive glioblastoma as well as patients newly diagnosed with high-grade gliomas as investigators pursue new treatment options to stimulate a patient’s immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer in the brain.
Read More

Building a Discovery Engine for Genetic Stratification and Precision Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease

microscope image of neuronsVikram (Vik) Khurana, MD, PhD, chief of the Division of Movement Disorders in the Department of Neurology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, with colleagues and collaborators around the world, is building a research engine poised to deliver therapies that precisely target specific disease mechanisms in individual patients with Parkinson’s disease and related disorders.
Read More

Assessing Older Trauma Patients to Ensure They Get the Specialized Care They Need

Closeup shot of an elderly man holding his wife's hand while she is ill in the hospitalWhen an older person suffers a trauma resulting in multiple broken bones and other injuries, often due to a fall or car accident, ensuring he or she gets appropriate care can be challenging. This is especially true when health care providers don’t have training or experience in geriatrics.
Read More

Brigham Otolaryngologist Takes His Expertise to Haiti

Dr. Prince performing a procedure in Haiti.The expertise of the physicians and surgeons at Brigham and Women’s Hospital benefits patients well beyond New England. Through Partners in Health, the Boston-based nonprofit health care organization, specialists from the Brigham travel to hospitals in developing countries around the globe, offering patient care as well as training for local doctors.
Read More

Can Patients at Low Risk of Surgery Have TAVR?

3D Illustration of Human Heart AnatomyThe PARTNER-3 Continued Access Trial: TAVR in low-risk patients

Brigham and Women’s Hospital is one of two centers in New England currently participating in the PARTNER 3 Continued Access Trial that offers transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to low-risk patients undergoing valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis.
Read More

Post-Operative Tracking Saves Lives at the Aortic Disease Center

Echocardiogram to patient in hospitalAll patients who undergo a cardiac procedure at the Aortic Disease Center are placed on a list. After discharge, these patients are systematically followed via a robust post-operative tracking system. Issues that crop up are spotted fast.
Read More

VT Ablation with Investigational Needle Catheter Shows Promise in Patients

catheter ablation computer renderingCatheter ablation has become an important therapy for patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT). However, it has been a challenge to access arrhythmia sources deep within the heart muscle with the use of conventional approaches.
Read More

Guidelines on Perimenopausal Depression Recognize Vulnerable Time in Women’s Lives

women review research posters at the BrighamPerimenopausal mood changes and depression are experienced in some form by about one-fourth of women undergoing the transition to menopause. Yet until recently, there was no formal direction for healthcare providers in identifying and treating this condition. That changed in September 2018, when a panel led by the National Network of Depression Centers with the support of the North American Menopause Society published the first-ever guidelines.
Read More