Pharmacotherapy
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To compare succinylcholine and rocuronium regarding mortality in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who are intubated in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ In severely brain-injured patients undergoing RSI in the ED, succinylcholine was associated with increased mortality compared with rocuronium.
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Comparative Study
A Retrospective Study on the Protective Effects of Topical Vancomycin in Patients Undergoing Multilevel Spinal Fusion.
Topical vancomycin may be an effective intervention to decrease the risk of postoperative surgical site infections (SSIs). The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of topical vancomycin with intravenous (IV) cefazolin compared with IV cefazolin alone on the incidence of SSI in instrumented multilevel spinal fusion (MLSF) surgery. ⋯ Topical vancomycin administered in addition to IV cefazolin was associated with a decreased risk of SSI in high-risk MLSF patients. Female patients and those with diabetes mellitus were at higher risk of developing postsurgical infection. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these results and to define the most clinically effective dose of topical vancomycin in this patient population.
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Inhaled long-acting bronchodilators are commonly used as maintenance therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We compared the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events among patients with COPD treated with inhaled long-acting bronchodilator monotherapy and combination therapy. ⋯ Our results suggest similar cardiovascular and cerebrovascular safety of LABA and LAMA when agents are used alone. Additional studies are needed to rule out potential risk associated with inhaled long-acting bronchodilator combination therapy.