The American journal of medicine
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To determine mortality rates in patients with acute renal failure during the past decades. ⋯ Despite technical progress in the management of acute renal failure over the last 50 years, mortality rates seem to have remained unchanged at around 50%.
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Hepatitis C virus is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, with over 170 million people infected worldwide. It is also the leading indication for liver transplantation. Complications from chronic hepatitis C infection include cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma. ⋯ Other strategies must be considered for special groups, such as patients with acute hepatitis C infection, hepatitis C/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection, and prior nonresponse to interferon or relapse after its use. The goal of therapy is to achieve a sustained virologic response (ie, no detectable hepatitis C ribonucleic acid 6 months after completion of therapy). The substantial adverse effects associated with both interferon alfa and ribavirin often make it difficult for patients to continue with their therapies.
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Multicenter Study
Competency in electrocardiogram interpretation among internal medicine and emergency medicine residents.
Accurate interpretation of the electrocardiogram is critical, yet there are no evidence-based guidelines for assessing competency. Our study evaluated the ability of internal medicine residents and emergency medicine residents to interpret a variety of electrocardiograms. ⋯ Despite improvement in interpretation with clinical experience, overall performance was low. Research is needed to find optimal methods to improve electrocardiogram competency.