Critical Care Alert – August 1, 2008
August 1, 2008
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The Use of Corticosteroids in Treating Infectious Diseases
Systemic corticosteroids are immunosuppressive and associated with serious long-term side effects. Primarily for these reasons, clinicians have long avoided their use in patients with known infections. -
How Much Do Surrogate Decision Makers Understand About The Care Their Loved Ones Are Receiving?
The Institute of Medicine has called for a patient centered model of care in which patients and families are kept informed about their care. Many ICU patients are unable to communicate and, therefore, family members are called upon for decision-making. -
Should Patients with COPD Exacerbations Receive Beta Blockers?
This study from the University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham reviewed administrative data from all patients admitted with the primary diagnosis of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or because of acute respiratory failure with a secondary diagnosis of COPD exacerbation. -
Yet Another Use For B-Type Natriuretic Peptide?
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a neurohormone secreted by the heart whose levels are elevated in acute heart failure and also in left- and right-ventricular dysfunction. -
Pharmacology Watch: Bird Flu Vaccine Looks Promising
In This Issue: Baxter Bioscience has developed a whole-virus, two dose vaccine against avian flu; warning label now on antipsychotics regarding an increased risk of mortality in elderly patients treated for dementia-related psychosis; vitamin D for men with heart disease on horizon? A new oral anticoagulant may soon be available for prevention of thrombotic complications of hip or knee surgery; FDA Actions -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care supplement