The atrial fibrillation clopidogrel trial with Irbesartan for Prevention of Vascular Events (ACTIVE W) is a noninferiority trial comparing anticoagulation with warfarin to therapy with aspirin plus clopidogrel for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Many efforts are underway to develop reliable and effective antiplatelet agents that have a minimal risk for bleeding.
FDA warnings for existing drugs dominate pharmaceutical news this month.
Most cases of thrombocytopenia seen in the emergency department (ED) are expected. Patients are known to have hematological disease or are receiving chemotherapy. At times, however, the ED physician is confronted with an unexpected laboratory finding in an assymptomatic patient, or with a patient who is bleeding. The challenge, as usual, is to determine the need for acute treatment and the appropriate disposition.
Prompt, accurate assessment of the severity of injury and early initiation
of appropriate critical care — including adequate oxygenation,
ventilation and correction of hypotension — is of crucial importance
in preventing deaths in children with severe trauma. This article reviews
the critical aspects of airway assessment and management in the pediatric
trauma patient.
Many nursing home patients are admitted with prescriptions for proton pump inhibitors or H2-receptor antagonists without any obvious indication.