Ischemic stroke remains a leading cause of death worldwide, and atrial fibrillation is a major risk factor, increasing the risk of ischemic stroke five-fold in those who have a confirmed diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.
HIV-infected patients diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis who received antiretroviral therapy (ART) 5 weeks after starting antifungal therapy had improved survival at 26 weeks compared to similar patients who received ART at 1-2 weeks (45% vs 30%, respectively, P=0.03).
With the introduction of genetic testing that is increasingly affordable, more patients are approaching their health care providers about such testing or with results from their direct-to-consumer genetic tests. Research findings linking MTHFR gene polymorphisms and disease risk have been conflicting. This has led to challenges as far as interpreting such data.
The acute presentation of the technology-assisted child in the emergency department (ED) setting is a dreaded situation. These children often have numerous ongoing chronic medical conditions, and their lives are assisted by adjuncts that aid feeding, breathing, administration of medication, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. When these devices malfunction, they can put children at risk of serious medical and surgical problems.
Does this happen in your ED? About half-way through your shift, the triage nurse brings you a restraint order form and asks you to sign it. You ask what is going on and are told that EMS is bringing in a combative patient, so Security is going to meet them at the ambulance entrance to restrain the patient and they need an order to so do.
