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The term thrombocytopenia refers to platelet counts < 150,000/microL, with severe thrombocytopenia defined as a count < 50,000/microL.
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During my final year of interventional cardiology training, a woman in her 60s was brought emergently to the cath lab in cardiogenic shock, with diffuse ST-segment elevations.
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Patients on mechanical ventilation who were managed with both conservative fluid administration and aggressive diuresis weaned faster, had significantly more ventilator-free days, and experienced reduced incidences of both ventilator-associated complications and ventilator-associated pneumonia.
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Compared to manual surveillance methods, an electronic surveillance tool for catheter-associated urinary tract infections had a high negative predictive value but a low positive predictive value.
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A large, multicenter clinical trial that compared protocol-based care to usual care for patients presenting to emergency departments with early sepsis and septic shock found no differences in clinical outcomes. However, early recognition and therapy was beneficial and should be the standard of care.
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In this large prospective study of trauma patients, the most important factor associated with post-traumatic seizures was the presence of alcohol intoxication.
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A study comparing experienced meditators and non-meditators found that the meditators had more favorable changes in some biochemical markers of stress-linked cell damage and inflammation. Those in both groups who responded more effectively to a stressful stimulus also showed somewhat better marker levels than those who responded less well.
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Lipoic acid (LA) is a supplement that has much current interest for a variety of therapeutic reasons. Historically, its use as an antioxidant has been known for a long period of time.
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A meta-analysis and systematic review found vitamin C supplementation improved endothelial function in patients with diabetes, atherosclerosis, and heart failure.
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Vitamin D3 supplementation in patients with persistent asthma and low serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) did not show improvement in the clinical efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids.