The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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Review Comparative Study
Reducing clinically significant gastrointestinal toxicity associated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.
To evaluate the efficacy of treatment strategies to reduce clinically significant gastrointestinal adverse effects associated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). ⋯ COX-2 inhibitors and proton-pump inhibitors are effective and well-tolerated therapies to reduce clinically significant upper gastrointestinal adverse events associated with NSAIDs.
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Research in statistical methods is essential for maintenance of high quality of the published literature. ⋯ Statistical terms and procedures were found in nearly all of the research articles published in pharmacy journals. Thus, pharmacy education should aim to provide current and future pharmacists with an understanding of the common statistical terms and procedures identified to facilitate the appropriate appraisal and consequential utilization of the information available in research articles.
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To review the literature regarding point-of-care (POC) cholesterol monitors and describe their role in pharmacy practice. ⋯ The availability of POC cholesterol monitors has increased in recent years. Based on currently available data, these monitors are best suited for screening purposes and to assist in the management of hyperlipidemia. There is not enough evidence to support the notion that POC cholesterol monitors can replace laboratory or office monitoring. Their application in the diagnosis of hyperlipidemia is also currently limited.
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Critically ill cardiothoracic patients are prone to hyperglycemia and an increased risk of surgical site infections postoperatively. Aggressive insulin treatment is required to achieve tight glycemic control (TGC) and improve outcomes. ⋯ An insulin infusion protocol designed to achieve a goal blood glucose range of 80-150 mg/dL efficiently and significantly improved TGC in critically ill postoperative cardiothoracic surgery patients without significantly increasing the incidence of hypoglycemia.
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To review the current efficacy and safety evidence for the use of etomidate for procedural sedation in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ Etomidate is an appropriate and valuable agent for performing procedural sedation in the ED. The rapid onset and recovery time and relative lack of significant hemodynamic and respiratory effects may facilitate optimal and safe conditions for procedural sedation in the ED.