Annals of internal medicine
-
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Cardiovascular effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
The psychoactive stimulant 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as "ecstasy," is widely used in nonmedical settings. Little is known about its cardiovascular effects. ⋯ Modest oral doses of MDMA increase heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial oxygen consumption in a magnitude similar to dobutamine, 20 to 40 microg/kg per minute. In contrast to dobutamine, MDMA has no measurable inotropic effects.
-
Comment Letter
Management of suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia.
-
Although it is recommended that women with a family history of breast cancer begin screening mammography at a younger age than average-risk women, few studies have evaluated the performance of mammography in this group. ⋯ Cancer detection rates in women who had a first-degree relative with a history of breast cancer were similar to those in women a decade older without such a history. The sensitivity of screening mammography was influenced primarily by age.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Erythropoietin with iron supplementation to prevent allogeneic blood transfusion in total hip joint arthroplasty. A randomized, controlled trial.
The optimum regimen of epoetin alfa for prevention of allogeneic blood transfusion is unknown. ⋯ Both modified epoetin alfa regimens were effective compared with placebo in reducing allogeneic transfusion in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty. Patients who received high-dose epoetin alfa had the lowest transfusion rate.