Practical Summaries in Acute Care Archives – February 1, 2004
February 1, 2004
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For Women with Acute MI, Atypical Presentations Are Typical
The authors of this study sought to characterize symptoms women experience in association with an acute myocardial infarction. -
Do Steroids Provide the Best Treatment for Otitis Externa?
In this European study, researchers compared three different topical treatment regimens for patients with acute otitis externa: acetic acid alone, acetic acid with steroids (triamcinolone 0.1%), or antibiotic with steroids (neomycin/polymixin with dexamethasone). -
Valsartan — No Better Than Captopril in MI Patients Complicated by Heart Failure
Studies demonstrate that angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as captopril reduce mortality and cardiovascular morbidity for patients with myocardial infarction (MI) complicated by left ventricular systolic dysfunction, heart failure, or both. The authors surmised that since angiotensin II can be generated despite ACE inhibition, further efficacy can be obtained if receptor antagonists are combined with ACE inhibitors. -
Glucose, Insulin, and Potassium Infusion in Acute MI: Back to the Future?
In this controlled trial from Europe, investigators randomized 940 AMI patients to either GIK (476 patients) or no infusion (464 patients) prior to undergoing reperfusion via percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. -
Special Feature - Sports Concussions: Grading Severity and Advising on Return to Play
For the clinician, the area of sports concussions and mild traumatic brain injury can be confusing due to the relative paucity of scientific evidence to support the clinical decision-making process in the emergency department and beyond. Good scientific research in this area has been hampered by an inconsistent definition of concussion, widely divergent injury mechanisms, poor means of measuring cognitive deficits, and inconsistent return to play guidelines. -
ECG Review: Mobitz II in a Patient on Digoxin
The nonsequential rhythm strips shown in the Figure were obtained from a 71-year-old man with a history of congestive cardiomyopathy and renal insufficiency. The patient was admitted for an exacerbation of heart failure. Digoxin was among the many medications he was taking. Assessment of the bottom rhythm strip was 2:1 AV block, Mobitz Type II. Do you agree?