Korotkoff sounds can be made louder by raising the arm overhead for 30 seconds before inflating the cuff, and then bringing the arm to the usual position, a manoeuvre that does not affect BP, researchers report in Blood Pressure Monitoring (14:268–273).

Liberal health spokesman quits

West Australian Liberal senator Mathias Cormann has resigned his position as shadow parliamentary secretary for health this morning, in protest over Malcolm Turnbull's support of an emissions trading scheme.    

PBS listing for prasugrel  

A new antiplatelet therapy, Effient (prasugrel), for use in stenting and angioplasty procedures will be available on the PBS from 1 December.