American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Apr 2012
Effects of atmospheric pressure conditions on flow rate of an elastomeric infusion pump.
The effects of pressure conditions, both hyperbaric and hypobaric, on the flow rate of an elastomeric infusion pump were investigated. ⋯ The flow rate of the Infusor elastomeric pump was not affected when the balloon reservoir and restrictor outlet were at the same pressure. The flow rate varied from 58.54% to 377.04% of the labeled flow rate when the pressure applied to the reservoir varied from 20 kPa below to 150 kPa above the pressure applied to the restrictor outlet, respectively. The maximum difference between observed flow rates and those calculated by applying fluid mechanics was 4.9%.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Apr 2012
ReviewSafety and efficacy of glucagon for the relief of acute esophageal food impaction.
The safety and efficacy of i.v. glucagon for the relief of acute esophageal food impaction were evaluated. ⋯ Based on the available data, the use of i.v. glucagon for the relief of acute esophageal food impaction is not supported by the literature. In addition, glucagon has the potential to cause adverse effects and decrease the likelihood of spontaneous resolution.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Mar 2012
Case ReportsSuccessful desensitization to docetaxel after severe hypersensitivity reactions in two patients.
Two cases of successful desensitization to docetaxel after severe hypersensitivity reactions are reported. ⋯ Two patients who had severe hypersensitivity reactions to docetaxel successfully received further docetaxel doses via a desensitization procedure that involved the sequential administration of solutions containing increasing concentrations of the drug.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Mar 2012
ReviewPreventing venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with cancer: improving compliance with clinical practice guidelines.
The use of anticoagulants for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized medical and surgical oncology patients is discussed. ⋯ Hospitalized patients with cancer often do not receive appropriate thromboprophylaxis. Guidelines from ASCO, ACCP, and NCCN recommend unfractionated heparin, an LMWH, or fondaparinux for VTE prophylaxis when there are no contraindications to such therapy.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Mar 2012
ReviewThe role of mucoregulatory agents after continence-preserving urinary diversion surgery.
The postsurgical use of N-acetylcysteine, octreotide, and other agents to reduce mucus accumulation after urinary diversion procedures is described. ⋯ Various agents evaluated for mucus control after urinary diversion procedures (oral ranitidine or aspirin, N-acetylcysteine or urea instillations, and subcutaneous octreotide), while reportedly effective for some patients, remain of questionable benefit. More research is needed to define the optimal role of these agents for this indication.