Hospital Medicine Alert – June 1, 2014
June 1, 2014
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Does Antibiotic Prophylaxis Prevent Postoperative UTIs in Patients Requiring Short-term Catheterization?
After pelvic floor reconstructive surgery, antibiotic prophylaxis with daily nitrofurantoin during postoperative catheterization does not decrease risk of urinary tract infection. -
Acute on Chronic Liver Failure: New Definition and Implications
Ascites, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hepatic encephalopathy and bacterial infections are common complications experienced by patients with cirrhosis. Traditionally, when a cirrhotic patient experiences one of these complications and develops worsening liver function, he or she is diagnosed with acute on chronic liver failure. -
Beta-Blockers in CAD Patients Undergoing Non-Cardiac Surgery
Recent controversy has erupted concerning the use of prophylactic beta-blockers in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing non-cardiac surgery. -
Should Dialysis Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Be Treated with Warfarin?
This was a retrospective cohort study from Quebec and Ontario, Canada, examining patients ≥ 65 years of age admitted to a hospital with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) between 1998 and 2007. -
Hemicraniectomy in Older Patients with Large Middle Cerebral Artery Infarcts Reduces Mortality
In an earlier study of early decompressive hemicraniectomy for large middle cerebral artery strokes, the same investigators demonstrated reduced mortality without increasing the risk of very severe disability among patients ≤ 60 years of age.