Browse Internal Medicine Articles by Topic

Azithromycin to Prevent Asthma Exacerbations?

Azithromycin helped prevent progression from upper airway infection to wheezing in a select group of preschool-age children. Further studies are needed before considering widespread use of azithromycin for young children with “colds.”

Hospital-acquired Infections and Other Hospital-acquired Conditions — How Are We Doing?

There was a large decrease in the number of total hospital-acquired conditions from 2010-2014, but with no improvement from 2013-2014. While there were decreases in hospital-acquired infections, much further improvement is needed.

Echo Diagnosis of Left Ventricular Non-compaction

The echocardiographic diagnosis of left ventricular non-compaction is difficult, and experienced readers disagree frequently. Careful attention to suggested criteria and the use of other imaging modalities in difficult cases resolves most diagnostic disagreements.

FAME Data Shows Durability of Fractional Flow Reserve Strategy at 5 Years

The 5-year results of the FAME study did not show any late catch up in major adverse cardiac events in the fractional flow reserve-guided group, supporting the long-term safety of the fractional flow reserve-guided approach to percutaneous coronary interventions.

Management of Functional Mitral Regurgitation

In symptomatic patients with coronary artery disease, left ventricular ejection fraction < 30%, and significant mitral valve regurgitation, coronary bypass graft surgery (CABG) or CABG plus mitral valve repair should be considered.

Remote Hemodynamic Monitoring Shows Long-term Benefit in Heart Failure Patients

Remote pulmonary artery pressure monitoring in New York Heart Association class III heart failure patients resulted in fewer subsequent hospitalizations and was well tolerated.

Spironolactone for Resistant Hypertension

ABSTRACT & COMMENTARY: A study says spironolactone is superior to doxazosin and bisoprolol for lowering blood pressure.

Clinicians Are Skeptical of Early Warning Systems for Sepsis

While early warning systems for sepsis lead to clinical action, clinicians are skeptical and do not perceive them to be beneficial.

Bedside Ultrasound: Is It a Reliable Tool for Guiding Resuscitation in Patients with Undifferentiated Hypotension?

The use of bedside ultrasound for patients with undifferentiated hypotension in the emergency department substantially changed the plan of care and reduced physician diagnostic uncertainty.

Initial Choice of Fluid for Sepsis Resuscitation May Affect Mortality

The use of balanced salt solutions rather than isotonic saline or colloids may improve in-hospital mortality in patients admitted with septic shock.