Arch Intern Med
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Postdischarge geriatric assessment of hospitalized frail elderly patients.
The diffusion of comprehensive geriatric assessment services has been rather limited in North America partly because of reimbursement and organizational constraints. ⋯ Although efficacy has been demonstrated for some forms of comprehensive geriatric assessment, the types of services that are easier to establish (inpatient consultation services and ambulatory assessment) have not been shown to improve outcomes. Our results indicate that outcomes are unaffected by a limited form of comprehensive geriatric assessment begun in the hospital and completed at home. Further efforts are needed to develop and to evaluate realistic approaches to comprehensive geriatric assessment.
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The adult respiratory distress syndrome is an acute clinical illness characterized by noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and refractory hypoxemia. Injury to the alveolar-capillary barrier and lung inflammation lead to intrapulmonary shunting of blood, surfactant depletion, and pulmonary vascular obstruction. Numerous mediators contribute to the pathologic response. ⋯ Novel therapeutic interventions have included extracorporeal support techniques, use of compounds designed to neutralize proinflammatory cytokines, and administration of surfactants, but these efforts have not definitely affected mortality in randomized trials. Potent antioxidant agents have shown promise in animal models of acute lung injury, but human studies are lacking. Inhaled nitric oxide appears to have temporary effects on pulmonary artery pressure and on ventilation or perfusion relationships, but longer-term efficacy and safety in patients suffering from adult respiratory distress syndrome is unknown and awaits results of ongoing clinical trials.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The efficacy of intravenous amiodarone for the conversion of chronic atrial fibrillation. Amiodarone vs quinidine for conversion of atrial fibrillation.
Chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF) is a serious condition with significant morbidity and mortality. The mainstay of drug therapy for the conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm continues to be quinidine. The value and safety of intravenously (i.v.) administered amiodarone therapy vs quinidine sulfate therapy was compared in a cohort of patients with CAF of more than 3 weeks' duration. ⋯ During the first 48 hours of treatment, i.v. amiodarone and oral quinidine were equally effective in converting CAF to sinus rhythm. At 2 and 9 months of therapy, treatment with oral amiodarone was superior to that of quinidine in restoring sinus rhythm. Long-term treatment with oral amiodarone is better tolerated than with quinidine.
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Because of their universal use by medical professionals, stethoscopes can be a source of nosocomial infections. ⋯ Stethoscope use may be important in the spread of infectious agents, including antimicrobial-resistant strains, and strategies to reduce the contamination of stethoscopes should be developed. We recommend disinfection of stethoscopes or regular use of disposable stethoscope covers.