The Annals of pharmacotherapy
-
To provide an evidence-based review and clinical summary of postthrombotic syndrome (PTS). ⋯ Providers should be proactive in preventing PTS, with pharmacists taking an active role in optimal DVT prevention, identifying patients at risk for PTS, and counseling and directing preventive therapies.
-
To summarize the published clinical data on fospropofol, critically review the safety and efficacy information, and provide pertinent information for formulary review. ⋯ Fospropofol is a viable addition to the class of sedative-hypnotic agents due to the minimization of unwanted adverse effects of propofol and maintenance of a favorable pharmacokinetic profile facilitating sedation, anxiolysis, and rapid recovery. However, there are limited safety data to justify its use without the presence of dedicated anesthesia personnel.
-
To review the literature regarding the pharmacokinetic profiles, comparative safety and efficacy, and comparative costs of loop diuretics to evaluate the current clinical usefulness of furosemide. ⋯ Growing evidence demonstrates more favorable pharmacokinetic profiles of torsemide and bumetanide compared with furosemide. Furthermore, torsemide may be more efficacious and safer than furosemide in patients with HF. A trial comparing all 3 drugs would be required to confirm torsemide as the primary loop diuretic in patients with HF, but based upon limited current evidence, we recommend torsemide over furosemide. Currently, little evidence exists to support either torsemide or bumetanide as first-line treatment over furosemide in patients with other edematous disease states.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Medication use across transition points from the emergency department: identifying factors associated with medication discrepancies.
As patients move across transition points of care, medication discrepancies are likely to occur. In the emergency department (ED), patients are vulnerable to medication discrepancies because they are in an environment in which rapid decisions need to be made under high levels of stress. ⋯ Patient-, environment-, and drug-related factors contribute to the risk of medication discrepancies across transition points from the ED.
-
To review the literature evaluating the clinical effects of combination therapy with a beta-blocker and milrinone in patients with severe heart failure (HF). ⋯ Data are insufficient to make firm conclusions on the clinical benefit of combination therapy with a beta-blocker and milrinone in patients with advanced HF, although it appears that this regimen is well tolerated and may allow weaning of inotropic support.