Practical Summaries in Acute Care Archives – December 1, 2003
December 1, 2003
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D-dimer in the Diagnosis of DVT
The authors of this randomized, controlled study sought to determine whether incorporation of a D-dimer testing strategy in patients with suspected deep-vein thrombosis would reduce the need for ultrasound imaging without compromising patient safety. -
CURE, Clopidogrel, and Aspirin: Good Study, Nice Adjunct, and the Real Deal
The authors studied the benefits and risks of adding clopidogrel to different doses of aspirin in the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndrome. -
Isolation: Don’t Let ‘Out of Sight’ Mean ‘Out of Mind’ When Using this Precaution
This study examined whether the isolation of patients to prevent nosocomial transmission of disease leads to patient neglect and medical errors. -
The Right Thermometer for Tiny Infants: Rectal Proves Most Reliable
Callanan analyzed three methods of temperature measurement among babies in an ED population to ascertain performance criteria for means of fever determination. -
Special Feature: The Electrocardiographic Diagnosis of LV Aneurysm
Left ventricular (LV) aneurysm is defined as a localized area of infarcted myocardium that bulges outward during the entire cardiac cycle. Among ED patients with ST segment elevation, LV aneurysm is an uncommon cause of the ST segment abnormality, accounting for only 3-4% of all patients with STE. -
ECG Review: Bigeminal Term Misuse
The telemetry tracing shown in the Figure was interpreted as showing bigeminy, in that every other beat was thought to be a PVC. Do you agree with this interpretation? -
Trauma Reports Supplement - ED Thoracotomy Revisited: A Complete Reassessment of its Past, Present, and Future
The ED physician and trauma surgeon must have evidence-based information on indications for emergency department thoracotomy that can be determined rapidly, easily accessible equipment, and the ability to recognize situations in which EDT clearly is not in the patients best interest.