Hospital Medicine Alert – November 1, 2015
November 1, 2015
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The Pros and Cons of Central Venous Catheterization Sites
ABSTRACT AND COMMENTARY: Improper placement can lead to a deep vein thrombosis or a blood stream infection. Here's guidance on doing it right.
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Role of Transthoracic Echo in Staph Bacteremia
In patients without community-acquired Staph bacteremia, a high-risk cardiac condition, or IV drug use, a negative transthoracic echo excluded infective endocarditis.
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Could High-flow Oxygen Therapy Impact Acute Respiratory Failure Management?
SYNOPSIS: Managing acute hypoxemic respiratory failure with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) significantly reduced intubation rates compared to standard oxygen (O2) mask delivery and non-invasive ventilation among patients whose arterial O2 tension to inspired O2 fraction ratio (PaO2/FiO2) was < 200. Among all study patients, hospital mortality was lower in the HFNC group.
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Using Procalcitonin to Differentiate Bacterial from Viral Meningitis
SYNOPSIS: A meta-analysis based on nine studies found an elevated serum procalcitonin to be an accurate test for differentiating bacterial from viral meningitis in adults.
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Valve Disease and Thromboembolic Risk
The CHA2DS2-VASc score for the prediction of stroke and other thromboembolism risk in patients with atrial fibrillation has been validated in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.