Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · May 2014
Multicenter StudySpontaneous pneumothorax; a multicentre retrospective analysis of emergency treatment, complications and outcomes.
Spontaneous pneumothorax can be managed initially by observation, aspiration or chest drain insertion. ⋯ Pneumothorax drainage is associated with substantial morbidity including prolonged air leak. As PSP appears to be well tolerated in younger people even with large pneumothoraces, conservative treatment in this subgroup may be a viable option to improve patient outcomes, but this needs to be confirmed in a clinical trial.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2014
Early predictors of colectomy and long-term maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis patients treated using anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy.
Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents are used as induction and maintenance therapy in ulcerative colitis (UC) refractory to standard therapy and as rescue therapy in acute severe UC (ASUC). ⋯ Anti-TNF therapy is effective in both refractory and ASUC. We argue that early anti-TNF therapy may improve outcome in UC.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2014
Trends in door-to-balloon time and outcomes following primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation myocardial infarction: an Australian perspective.
Guidelines for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction include a door-to-balloon time (DTBT) of ≤90 min for primary percutaneous coronary intervention. ⋯ There has been a decline in median DTBT in the Melbourne Interventional Group registry over 5 years. DTBT of ≤90 min is associated with improved clinical outcomes at 12 months.
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Internal medicine journal · May 2014
Opioid conversion ratios used in palliative care: is there an Australian consensus?
Opioid switching or rotation is reported to be a common practice in palliative care. Published tables of opioid conversion ratios have been found to vary in their recommendations, potentially leading to significant differences in clinical practice. ⋯ Further discussion among Australian palliative care specialist organisations is recommended in order to produce uniform conversion guidelines to improve consistency and safety in the prescribing of opioids.