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Hospital-based infection surveillance experts nationwide participated in a survey to access the level of agreement in diagnosing ventilator-associated pneumonia by evaluating six identical case studies. The level of agreement between participants was poor.
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This pilot study reports that dexmedetomidine might be the sedative of choice for less ill mechanically ventilated ICU patients who take antidepressant medications at home.
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The recent publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) and the continuing introduction of new psychoactive drugs create challenges for updated diagnostic and therapeutic choices for primary care patients.
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Since the introduction of the vaccine against H. influenzae, there has been a significant decrease in the number of children presenting with epiglottitis. Although there is little evidence that the disease has increased in adults, clearly the percentage of cases in adults compared to children has increased. Further, there is greater recognition of milder cases with direct visualization and imaging.
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The Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (MADIT-CRT) showed that implantation of a cardiac-resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) in patients with left bundle-branch block (LBBB), Class I or II congestive heart failure (CHF), and an ejection fraction < 30% was associated with a significant reduction in heart-failure events over 2.4 years.
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Most current guidelines recommend exercise electrocardiographic (ECG) testing for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients who can exercise and have a normal resting ECG.
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In patients with stable coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation (AF) on oral anticoagulants, adding antiplatelet agents is common and recommended in guidelines, especially during the first year after an acute coronary event or revascularization.
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The mortality benefit to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unquestioned when it comes to ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
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In patients with severe degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR), surgery is clearly recommended in the presence of any symptoms.
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