News from NYU Langone Health
Surgeons At NYU Langone Health Perform First Fully Robotic Lung Transplant In The US. (Washington Square (NY) News)
The Washington Square (NY) News (9/23) A team of surgeons at NYU Langone Health performed the first fully robotic lung transplant in the nation, making the medical center the third-ever health system in the world to carry out the procedure using robotics, with the surgical team led by Stephanie H. Chang, MD, associate professor, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, who stated, “Even today, when we do a lung transplant, we’re using an open incision that’s very, very painful.” NYU Langone Health conducted 76 lung transplants last year and was ranked first in the country for lung survival after transplant.
Weight-Loss Drugs Are Supposed To Be Forever. Until They Run Out. (Washington Post)
The Washington Post (9/24) Patients and doctors are struggling with the inconsistent availability of weight-loss drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro due a number of factors which has led to patients starting, stopping, and switching medications frequently; Melanie R. Jay, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, and Department of Population Health, commented on the issue of equitable access, stating, “Right now, a lot of the people who are able to be on the medications are the privileged people who can afford them or have insurance for them.”
How AI Could Monitor Brain Health And Find Dementia Sooner. (Washington Post)
The Washington Post (9/24) AI-powered tools may be able to be used to monitor patient’s brains and detect signs of dementia sooner; Arthur L. Caplan, PhD, the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor of Bioethics, Department of Population Health, noted, “AI is high-powered and has many databases to search, and can do so with incredible speed.”
How To Relieve Hip Pain. (Washington Post)
The Washington Post (9/23) About 1 in 4 adults will develop hip osteoarthritis (OA) by age 85, with related pain and stiffness impacting daily activities; Claudette Lajam, a professor of orthopedic surgery at NYU Langone Health, mentions that other conditions like weak hip muscles and hip tendinosis can also cause hip discomfort, while Kristin G. Barker, DPT, PT, Physical Therapy, recommends exercises such as chair stands, sideways walks, and thigh squeezes to strengthen hip muscles and improve stability, adding, “It activates your glutes and hamstrings, muscles you need for walking with long strides and climbing stairs.”
Cancer Misinformation Online: A Growing Threat For Doctors. (European Medical Journal)
European Medical Journal (9/24) A recently published study found that one-third of popular social media articles about certain cancers contained misleading or harmful information, posing challenges for oncologists and healthcare providers; Stacy Loeb, MD, professor, Departments of Urology and Population Health, Perlmutter Cancer Center, stressed the need for a multifaceted strategy to address this issue.
Medicine Meets Music: How Health Care Workers Communicate Loss Through Song. (Washington Square (NY) News)
The Washington Square (NY) News (9/23) “Lifeline,” a show featuring a chorus of healthcare professionals, Judy Minkoff, PhD, project manager, Virology Institute, who shares true stories about patients facing antibiotic resistance; Minkoff remarked, “We’re just professionals that want to keep music and theater in their lives,” adding that the involvement of real researchers and clinicians adds credibility to the performance.
Treating Family: Ethicist Discusses Whether It’s Appropriate. (MDEdge)
MDEdge (9/23) Arthur L. Caplan, PhD, the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor of Bioethics, Department of Population Health, discusses the ethical implications of physicians treating their family members, referencing a case where a plastic surgeon was prohibited from operating on his wife at Mercy Hospital South due to hospital policy, and ultimately supports the AMA’s stance against such practices, while suggesting minor exceptions for routine, non-critical treatments.
Eating Seasonal Is Healthy, Saves Money. (Beacon Newspapers (MD))
Beacon Newspapers (MD) (9/23) Anna Fiannaca, an 89-year-old from Agrigento, attributes her good health to eating seasonal produce; Sean P. Heffron, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, advises patients to explore a wide range of fruits and vegetables, stating, “Open yourself up to, ‘Oh, now I see a lot of asparagus or peaches or artichokes,’” to encourage healthier eating habits.
Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Gets FDA Approval For Home Use: ‘A Good Alternative’. (Fox News)
Fox News (9/23) The FDA has approved FluMist, the nasal spray flu vaccine, for home use by patients or adult caregivers, marking the first influenza vaccine approved for self-administration without a healthcare provider; Marc K. Siegel, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, stated, “I am glad it is being made available over the counter beginning next year,” adding that it is “particularly useful” for children with needle phobias and could “help to overcome vaccine non-compliance.”
Also reporting is The Joe Piscopo Show (9/23).
NYU Langone Health Physician Discusses Study Showing Heavy Metals In Tampons. (KEVN-TV Rapid City (SD))
KEVN-TV (9/23) A study has found traces of toxic metals, such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium, in a variety of tampon brands, including those labeled as ‘organic,’ leading to concerns about their safety; Sasha Hernandez, MD, clinical assistant professor, Departments of Population Health, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, emphasized, “This is not a study that showed how tampon users absorb these heavy metals. But in the same way that a vagina is absorbent, our bodies are actually made to excrete certain levels of heavy metals.
News from NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn
‘Boy Meets World’ Actress Who Became Pregnant At 54 Reveals Miscarriage. (ABC News)
ABC News (9/23) Trina McGee, known for her role as Angela Moore on “Boy Meets World,” shared on the “Tamron Hall Show” that she experienced a miscarriage after becoming pregnant at 54, expressing gratitude for the ability to conceive at her age despite the loss; Shilpi Mehta-Lee, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Langone Hospital–Brooklyn, explained that the age 35 was historically chosen for recommending amniocentesis, though McGee’s natural conception in her 50s offers hope to women over 40 looking to conceive.
