Medscape Critical Care Headlines

Why and How to Use the Photographic Atlases of the American Registry of Pathology

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:43:16 EDT

William A. Gardner, MD, Executive Director, American Registry of Pathology, Silver Spring, Maryland, describes the importance of visual images to medicine.
The Medscape Journal of Medicine

Increased Mortality of Ventilated Patients with Endotracheal Pseudomonas Aeruginosa without Clinical Signs of Infection. Ranked "Changes Clinical Practice" from F1000.

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:01:33 EDT

You can't always rely on standard criteria for treating patients with presumed VAP.
Faculty of 1000 Medicine

A 14-Year-Old Boy With Progressive Weakness and Dyspnea

Wed, 8 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EDT

A 14-year-old boy presents to the ED with a 10-day history of progressive weakness following symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. The patient’s weakness is affecting his extremities, and he has developed shortness of breath and difficulty urinating. The patient is sent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of his brain and spine. What is the patient’s condition as verified by the MRI?
eMedicine Case Presentations

Beta-Blockers May Cut Mortality in COPD Patients Undergoing Vascular Surgery

Thu, 9 Oct 2008 11:12:32 EDT

The use of cardioselective beta-blockers can improve survival in "carefully selected" COPD patients undergoing vascular surgery, according to a report in the first October issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Reuters Health Information

Emergency Medicine Doc Vents on the State of Healthcare

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 10:50:39 EDT

Although not always politically correct, this emergency medicine physician has a lot to say about the way medicine is practiced today.
Medscape Med Students

Precious Last Moments: Family Presence During Resuscitation

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 13:29:52 EDT

Tammie Quest, MD, Director of EPEC -- Emergency Medicine Project -- discusses whether families should observe CPR.
The Medscape Journal of Medicine

Blood Transfusions Increasing for Surgical Patients Despite Evident Risks

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 11:33:12 EDT

Allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusions among surgical patients are increasing despite evidence supporting more restrictive use of RBC transfusions, according to findings published in the September issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
Reuters Health Information

Anaesthesia and Morbid Obesity

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 19:04:12 EDT

Morbid obesity has a grave effect on health and is increasing in prevalence among children and adults. This review explains the effects of anaesthesia on patients who are morbidly obese.
Continuting Education in Anaesthesia, Critical Care & Pain

A Comprehensive Review of Pediatric Endotracheal Suctioning: Effects, Indications, and Clinical Practice

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 18:06:38 EDT

What gaps exist in the evidence base for pediatric endotracheal suctioning? These authors survey the literature to try and identify best practice standards.
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

Influenza

Wed, 8 Oct 2008 09:56:33 EDT

Is your knowledge of influenza up to date? Current diagnostics, therapeutics, and infection control measures associated with this deadly disease are reviewed.
Critical Care Medicine

Sepsis

Thu, 9 Oct 2008 17:16:00 EDT

The latest guidelines provide a logical approach to managing this common infection.
Student BMJ

Peripheral Arterial Perfusion: Is it Adequate for Wound Healing?

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 12:06:58 EDT

Revascularization is necessary to allow healing for certain wounds, but what are the criteria for determining which patients need to see a vascular surgeon?
Wounds

Risk of Late-Acquired Incomplete Stent Apposition After Drug-Eluting Stent versus Bare-Metal Stent. A Meta-Analysis from 12 Randomized Trials

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:00:06 EDT

Does drug-eluting stent implantation increase the incidence of late-acquired incomplete stent apposition?
The Journal of Invasive Cardiology

Clinical Pharmacology 2008: Practical Information for Physicians, Nurses and Pharmacists

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:32:45 EDT

Sepsis, pain management, and the safe use of anticoagulants were key topics at this meeting.
Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology

Alterations During Medical Interpretation of ICU Family Conferences That Interfere With or Enhance Communication

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:39:43 EDT

This study characterizes the types, prevalence, and potential effects of alterations in interpretation during ICU family conferences involving end-of-life discussions.
CHEST

Effect of Preprocedural Statin Use on Procedural Myocardial Infarction and Major Cardiac Adverse Events in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Meta-Analysis

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 16:27:26 EDT

Does statin use prior to percutaneous coronary intervention improve outcomes by reducing the risk of major adverse cardiac events?
The Journal of Invasive Cardiology

Clinical Guidelines, Audits and Hemovigilance in Managing Blood Transfusion Needs

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 17:20:07 EDT

Tools for improving blood supply safety are described and justified in this article.
Transfusion Alternatives in Transfusion Medicine

Liver Transplantation for Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma on Cirrhosis After Liver Resection: University of Bologna Experience

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:09:46 EDT

Is liver transplantation a safe and effective strategy for managing recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after liver resection for cirrhosis?
American Journal of Transplantation

Complications of Awake Fibreoptic Intubation Without Sedation in 200 Healthy Anaesthetists Attending a Training Course

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:24:13 EDT

Nasendoscopy with lidocaine as a topical anesthetic sounds like it may be a safe bet for intubation, but not if there are significant side effects. Learn how healthy subjects were affected.
British Journal of Anaesthesia