Arch Intern Med
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Comparative Study
Comparison of elderly and younger patients with out-of-hospital chest pain. Clinical characteristics, acute myocardial infarction, therapy, and outcomes.
Acute myocardial infarction is associated with significantly higher mortality in elderly patients compared with younger patients. ⋯ Effective methods for reducing time delays from onset of chest pain to accessing health care for elderly persons deserve investigation. Physicians should be aware of the benefits of thrombolytic and revascularization therapies in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction.
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To determine whether cognitive status, hand strength, and demographic variables are predictive of correct use of metered-dose inhalers by older subjects. ⋯ Clinicians should consider cognitive status and hand strength when metered-dose inhaler therapy is initiated for an older adult. Patients with cognitive impairment and hand strength deficits may require more extensive training, frequent follow-up, or alternative dosage forms.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Ardeparin (low-molecular-weight heparin) vs graduated compression stockings for the prevention of venous thromboembolism. A randomized trial in patients undergoing knee surgery.
Deep vein thrombosis is common in patients undergoing major knee surgery. Static graduated compression stockings effectively prevent venous thrombosis in general surgery. Because of the demonstrated prophylactic efficacy of pneumatic compression in knee surgery, the similar efficacy of static graduated compression and pneumatic compression in neurosurgery, and the easier use of static graduated compression in knee surgery, graduated static compression stockings were used as the control arm in our clinical trial. Although low-molecular-weight heparin had been shown to be effective in general surgery and hip replacement, its efficacy was unproved in knee surgery. ⋯ Ardeparin administered postoperatively twice daily is effective and safe for the prevention of venous thrombosis in patients undergoing major knee surgery. Whereas graduated compression stockings have been shown to be effective prophylactic agents in general surgery and neurosurgery, they have little effect in knee surgery.
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Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu disease, is a hereditary disorder leading to easily bleeding telangiectases on skin and mucosal surfaces, and it is associated with the presence of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in multiple organ systems. These AVMs may cause serious complications when they are located in the lungs, liver, or brain. The prevalence of AVMs in patients with HHT might be higher than previously estimated. ⋯ Genetic heterogeneity has been demonstrated, suggesting involvement of other transforming growth factor receptors. This might explain the variable clinical expression of the disease. In view of the high prevalence of pulmonary and cerebral AVMs, all patients with HHT should be screened for their presence, and relatives of patients with HHT should be investigated for presence of the disease.