Hospital Medicine Alert
RSSArticles
-
Intracerebral Hemorrhages Associated with Non-vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants Appear to Be Smaller than Those Associated with Warfarin
Intracerebral hemorrhage is the most dangerous complication of treatment with oral anticoagulants, and this complication carries a high mortality. Because of the increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the elderly population, and the increasing use of oral anticoagulants, the overall prevalence of intracerebral hemorrhage is increasing.
-
Optimal Antiplatelet Therapy for Secondary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke
Patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke are often taking aspirin on a regular basis for prevention of cardiovascular disease. The optimal antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention has been uncertain in this setting.
-
Use of CNMs and Hospitalists
SYNOPSIS: A study assessing the effects of instituting a model of certified nurse midwife with MD laborist backup on a private patient population showed a decrease in cesarean section rate and an increase in vaginal birth after cesarean delivery rate without any change in combined neonatal outcome.
-
Prognostic Value of Coronary Calcium on Standard Chest CT Scans
SYNOPSIS: Coronary calcium scan on standard CT scans performed for other indications is of equivalent prognostic value to that seen on ECG-gated coronary studies and should be included in radiology test reports.
-
The Current Outlook for Cardiac Tamponade
SYNOPSIS: In the modern era, cardiac tamponade is most commonly caused by malignancies with poor prognosis. As compared to older literature, iatrogenic causes have increased, most resulting from complications of percutaneous coronary intervention.
-
The Best Rate Control Agent for Sepsis and Atrial Fibrillation
Sepsis and atrial fibrillation are common in the ICU, and the presence of both together is not a rare occurrence. Here's how to handle them.
-
Potatoes Increase Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Few would question the recommendation to increase daily vegetable intake. Yet, an important question arises — are all vegetables created equal?
-
Why We Can’t Allow Physical Exam Skills to Languish
With more highly evolved and readily available technology at our fingertips, it is sometimes tempting to let the echocardiogram sort out the abnormal heart sounds we detected, or allow the pelvic ultrasound to inform whether the uterus is enlarged, or short-cut parts of the physical exam we anticipate to be unlikely sources of pertinent information.
-
Nitrate Therapy Shows Possible Harm in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
In heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the use of isosorbide mononitrate was associated with a nonsignificant decrease in physical activity level, and no improvement in symptoms or quality of life.
-
Does Finding the Portal of Entry of Bacteria in Infective Endocarditis Matter?
A comprehensive, systematic search for the portal of bacterial entry in infective endocarditis is frequently successful and affords an opportunity to prevent recurrent episodes.