Browse Hematology/Oncology Articles by Topic

The Use of Dexmedetomidine for Sedation May Lead to Earlier Extubation and Decreased Ventilator Adverse Events

SYNOPSIS: The choice of dexmedetomidine or propofol over midazolam may improve outcomes in patients mechanically ventilated for three or more days.

Screening for Coronary Artery Disease Is Underused in Heart Failure

Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of heart failure. Current practice guidelines recommend screening for Coronary artery disease in patients with newly diagnosed heart failure. However, few studies have evaluated how often clinicians perform diagnostic testing for Coronary artery disease on patients hospitalized with newly diagnosed heart failure.

Steroids Increase the Risk for Community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality. Previous studies produced conflicting results about whether steroids increase the risk of SAB and may have been biased by confounding variables. Therefore, Smit and colleagues sought to more clearly define the risk of SAB associated with the use of steroids.

Individualized Integrative Medicine Treatment for Preoperative Anxiety

In a randomized, clinical trial investigating the treatment of preoperative anxiety, standard sedating medication with a specified add-on individualized integrative technique is the most effective intervention.

How Good Is Passive Leg Raise at Predicting Fluid Responsiveness?

SYNOPSIS: In a meta-analysis of 23 clinical trials, passive leg raise was shown to be an excellent predictor of fluid responsiveness.

In Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage, Intensive Lowering of Blood Pressure Does Not Improve Outcome

After spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, there is a severe hypertensive response that may be associated with hematoma expansion and increased mortality. The INERACT-2 study (N Engl J Med 2013;368:2355-2365) looked at the effectiveness of blood pressure reduction within six hours after symptom onset, to a target systolic blood pressure of < 140 mmHg.

Screening for C. difficile Carriers at Hospital Admission Reduces Subsequent CDI

Hospital patients were screened for C. difficile. Contact isolation led to a significant decrease in hospital-acquired C. difficile infections.

Cerebral Microbleeds: Risk Factor for Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), as visualized on gradient-echo or susceptibility-weighted MRI, are considered markers of bleeding-prone cerebral microvessels and constitute a significant and independent predictor of future intracerebral hemorrhage.

Buprenorphine Implant for Subdermal Administration (Probuphine)

The FDA has approved the first buprenorphine implant for the treatment of opioid dependence. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and an antagonist at the kappa-opioid receptor. Buprenorphine was previously approved as oral and sublingual tablets. The implant is marketed as Probuphine.

Human Adenovirus B7: Severe Infection

ABSTRACT & COMMENTARY: Patients with HAdV-B7 were more likely to be adults and to have longer hospital stays.