Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine
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Despite the discovery of new pathogens and the evolving problem of antibiotic resistance, the basic trends in community-acquired pneumonia remain remarkably constant. This article reviews the common pathogens, new pathogens, their clinical presentations, the diagnostic workup, the decision to hospitalize, antibiotic resistance, and antibiotic choices.
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Patients with pre-existing pulmonary disease and certain other conditions are at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. This article surveys how internists can identify high-risk patients clinically, use pulmonary function studies, use specific therapy to reduce risk, and manage postoperative complications.
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The preoperative evaluation often includes more tests than are necessary. This article reviews the usefulness of and indications for nine commonly ordered preoperative tests.
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The cornerstones of the evaluation of cardiac risk in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery remain a thorough history and physical examination, and a resting electrocardiogram. However, new techniques to assess cardiac function allow more complete evaluation of high-risk patients.