Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2011
Comparative StudyPrevalence and predictors of premature discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent implantation: importance of social factors in Asian patients.
Premature discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy is an independent predictor of late stent thrombosis. We sought to determine the prevalence and predictors of premature discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent implantation among patients in Asia. ⋯ Among Asian patients who have undergone drug-eluting stent implantation, 12.8% discontinued dual antiplatelet therapy within 12 months. Living alone is associated with a fivefold increase in risk of premature drug discontinuation.
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyAssessing PaCO2 in acute respiratory disease: accuracy of a transcutaneous carbon dioxide device.
Pulse oximetry non-invasively assesses the arterial oxygen saturation of patients with acute respiratory disease; however, measurement of the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO(2)) requires an arterial blood gas. The transcutaneous partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PtCO(2) ) has been used in other settings with variable accuracy. We investigated the accuracy of a PtCO(2) device in the assessment of PaCO(2) in patients with asthma and suspected pneumonia attending the emergency department. ⋯ A PtCO(2) device was accurate in the assessment of PaCO(2) in patients with acute severe asthma and suspected pneumonia when compared with an arterial blood gas. These bedside monitors have the potential to improve patient care by non-invasively monitoring patients with acute respiratory disease at risk of hypercapnia.
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Internal medicine journal · Jul 2011
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyA rapid infusion protocol is safe for total dose iron polymaltose: time for change.
Intravenous correction of iron deficiency by total dose iron polymaltose is inexpensive and safe, but current protocols entail prolonged administration over more than 4 h. This results in reduced patient acceptance, and hospital resource strain. We aimed to assess prospectively the safety of a rapid intravenous protocol and compare this with historical controls. ⋯ Iron polymaltose can be successfully administered using a rapid total dose infusion protocol and was well accepted by patients. It offers significant cost, resource utilization and time benefits for the patient and hospital system.