-
CME
POISE Published, Debate on Perioperative Beta Blockers Continues
Publication of the landmark POISE trial has triggered another heated debate about the pros and cons of using beta blockers perioperatively in noncardiac surgery.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
-
Intervention Curbs Pediatric ICU Bloodstream Infections
A systematic series of measures produced a significant reduction in rates of central line-associated bloodstream infections in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit, according to researchers.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
-
CME
Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Therapy for Endoscopic Procedures Reviewed
Guidelines have been issued regarding proper anticoagulant and antiplatelet treatment of patients who undergo endoscopic procedures.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
-
Lapatinib Not Cost Effective, Editorialists Argue
Ringing in at roughly US$2900 a month, experts are questioning whether a new treatment schedule or other strategies can be used to make the drug more accessible.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
-
CME/CE
Age-Related Pulmonary Crackles May Interfere With Diagnosis of Heart Failure
A study identifies characteristics of pulmonary crackles in elderly patients to better diagnose heart failure.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
-
CME
ICDs in Children: Better Patient Selection Needed
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators delivered more inappropriate shocks in children than they did in adults.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
-
Cyclone Overwhelms Myanmar Doctors
Survivors of Cyclone Nargis are overwhelming army-ruled Myanmar's crumbling health service and it faces a "worst-case scenario" of disease outbreaks unless aid is ramped up, a U.N. health expert said on Sunday.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
-
Melatonin Improves Nighttime Sleep in Critically Ill Patients
Melatonin therapy can increase the efficiency of nocturnal sleep in critically ill patients, according to a report in Critical Care published online April 18th.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
-
Discrepancies in US/European Guidelines on Antithrombotics for ACS
Discrepancies in the European and US guidelines on recommendations for the use of enoxaparin and fondaparinux in the treatment of ACS is causing confusion, some clinicians have suggested.
Heartwire, May 2008
-
CME
Eosinopenia Reliably Identifies Sepsis in Critically Ill Patients
Eosinopenia is better than C-reactive protein at indicating sepsis in patients in intensive care units.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
-
Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation May Work When Weaning From Invasive Device Fails
Noninvasive positive-pressure mechanical ventilation (NPPV) is useful in treating patients who fail weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), according to a report in the April 17th issue of Critical Care.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
-
P. Aeruginosa in COPD Shows Two Distinct Patterns of Carriage
In a recent study, researchers identified two distinct patterns of Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) -- short-term colonization followed by clearance, and long-term, persistent carriage.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
-
Medicare Expected to Exceed $21 Billion for Elderly Cancer Patients
The startling estimate is based on 5 years of cancer care for American patients 65 years or older.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
-
"Wake Up and Breathe" Protocol Reduces Length of Stay in ICU
The protocol benefits older patients on mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit as much as it does younger ones.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
-
CME
More Evidence of Increased Fractures With Thiazolidinediones
In a new case-control study, long-term use of either rosiglitazone or pioglitazone in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was associated with a 2-fold to 3-fold increased risk for fractures.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
-
CME
Skin-to-Skin Contact May Reduce Pain in Preterm Neonates
A crossover trial shows that skin-to-skin contact to reduce pain in preterm neonates is effective in infants from 28 weeks of gestation through term.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
-
CME
Osteoporosis Drug Promotes Atrial Fibrillation in Population-Based Study
In a case-control study, women who have taken alendronate, the bisphosphonate widely prescribed for preservation of bone density, have an increased risk for the development of atrial fibrillation.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
Misdiagnoses Caused in Part by Overconfidence
The rate of diagnostic error is as high as 15%; physician overconfidence and a lack of feedback after diagnosis are the most important contributors to the problem.
WebMD Health News, April 2008
-
CME
Blood Substitutes Linked to Deaths, MI; FDA Should Have Acted Sooner to Stop Trials, Researchers Say
An analysis of studies involving the use of hemoglobin-based blood substitutes indicates that their use is associated with the increased risks for death and myocardial infarction.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
-
CME
Diabetic Retinopathy Independently Predicts New Heart Failure
The presence of diabetic retinopathy in patients without clinical heart disease could lead to subclinical left ventricular dysfunction, according to Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities investigators.
Medscape Medical News, April 2008
