Chest
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It is unclear how to appropriately manage discontinuation and resumption of antiplatelet therapy in patients with coronary stents who need noncardiac surgery. We undertook a systematic review of the literature to identify practice guideline statements regarding antiplatelet therapy in patients with coronary stents undergoing noncardiac surgery. ⋯ Most current recommendations are based on expert opinion. This review highlights the need for well-designed prospective studies to identify optimal management strategies in patients with coronary stents who are on antiplatelet therapy and who need noncardiac surgery.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
HPA axis Effects of Mometasone Furoate/Formoterol Fumarate Versus Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol Administered via Metered-Dose Inhaler.
The effects of mometasone furoate and fluticasone propionate on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis were compared when administered from combination metered-dose inhaler (MDI) products. ⋯ MF/F 400 μg/10 μg or FP/S 460 μg/42 μg bid through an MDI led to similar reductions from baseline in mean cortisol AUC (22% and 34% lower than placebo, respectively), whereas the effect of MF/F 200 μg/10 μg was similar to placebo.
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The increasing frequency of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by colistin-only susceptible (COS) gram-negative bacteria (GNB) is of great concern. Adjunctive aerosolized (AS) colistin can reportedly increase alveolar levels of the drug without increasing systemic toxicity. Good clinical results have been obtained in patients with cystic fibrosis, but conflicting data have been reported in patients with VAP. ⋯ Our results suggest that AS colistin might be a beneficial adjunct to IV colistin in the management of VAP caused by COS GNB.
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The goal of the 6-min walk test (6MWT) is to enable patients to walk "as far as possible" as a measure of their functional ability. The impact of the specific walk instructions on patient 6MWT performance is unknown. ⋯ Patients do not walk as far as they are able with the standard American Thoracic Society instruction for 6MWT. Changing the wording from "far" to "fast" may facilitate a better effort and greater distance during the test. It is possible that this modified 6MWT instruction may result in improved accuracy and reproducibility, thereby enhancing its clinical and research trial usefulness.
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Observational Study
Focused sonography of the heart, lungs and deep veins identifies missed life-threatening conditions in acute admitted patients with respiratory symptoms.
Patients with acute respiratory symptoms still remain a diagnostic challenge. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether focused sonography could potentially diagnose life-threatening conditions missed at the primary assessment in a patient population consisting of admitted patients with acute respiratory symptoms. ⋯ Focused sonography of the heart, lungs, and deep veins is fast, highly feasible, and able to diagnose life-threatening conditions missed at the primary assessment in admitted patients with acute respiratory symptoms. In an ED setting sonography can be used both for ruling in and ruling out acute life-threatening conditions in these patients.