How a patient with severe sepsis or septic shock responds to dobutamine infusion may help predict outcome, investigators say. Reuters Health Information
Prophylactic treatment with mezlocillin plus sulbactam reduces the incidence and degree of fever after severe acute ischemic stroke, according to a report in the April issue of Stroke. Reuters Health Information
A large prospective study has found that positron emission tomography is having a huge impact. But whether it is helping or harming patients remains unclear. Medscape Medical News
A 53-year-old man with multiple myeloma presents with a 1-week history of melena, hematemesis, and lethargy. He has no other significant past medical history, and he has not needed chemotherapy to date. The patient does not describe any symptoms suggestive of active multiple myeloma and organ involvement. He is treated with IV fluid and 2 units of blood. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy is performed. What is the cause of the abnormalities seen on the endoscopy? eMedicine Case Presentations
Screening of cardiac troponin (cTn) levels in critically ill patients can diagnose myocardial infarction that may be missed clinically, according to researchers. Reuters Health Information
A retrospective review shows that buprenorphine produces similar effects in children as do other opioids, including central nervous system and respiratory depression, miosis, and vomiting. Medscape Medical News
Four factors predicting outcomes, in addition to gestational age, were sex, exposure or nonexposure to antenatal corticosteroids, single or multiple birth, and birth weight. Medscape Medical News
This case raises concerns for managing COPD exacerbations -- one of the most common emergency conditions. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
