Practical Summaries in Acute Care Archives – February 1, 2003
February 1, 2003
View Issues
-
Pharmacologic Reperfusion for AMI: Combining GPIIb/IIIa Inhibitors with Reduced Dose Fibrinolytics
Current pharmacologic reperfusion for acute myocardial infarction primarily involves the administration of fibrinolytic therapy. Recently, investigators have focused on combining fibrinolytic agents with platelet inhibitors, such as the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor agents, to reduce complications and improve clinical outcome. -
Opioids, Ketorolac, and the Biliary Tract
The authors sought to determine if opioid administration before nuclear hepatobiliary imaging delays common bile duct visualization and prolongs imaging. -
Should We Screen All OD Patients for Acetaminophen?
The authors of this study proposed and tested the following clinical decision rule: Patients presenting to the ED after a deliberate overdose do not need paracetamol level testing if they: a) deny paracetamol ingestion; b) present with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15; c) understand English; and d) have not consumed an excessive amount of alcohol. -
Special Feature: The Electrocardiogram in Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
In 1930, Wolff, Parkinson, and White described the combination of bundle-branch block, abnormally short PR interval, and paroxysms of tachycardia occurring in young, healthy patients with normal hearts. -
ECG Review: How Many Chambers?
The 12-lead ECG shown in the Figure was obtained from a 49-year-old African American man with a history of hypertension, alcohol abuse, and progressively increasing dyspnea. What might his echocardiogram show? How many cardiac chambers are likely to be enlarged? -
Hospital Handbook on Smallpox Vaccination
Thomson American Health Consultants offers the Hospital Handbook on Smallpox Vaccination, a facilitywide resource for the information you need about smallpox vaccination in most health care facilities.