TMP-SMX Better For Abscesses Across the Board
We can't draw firm conclusions from this paper, since it was not designed or powered to detect differences in subgroups with skin abscesses. But it was notable that patients who received TMP/SMX did better than those who received placebo across all subgroups, including those with larger abscesses; especially those with fever, history of MRSA, or MRSA positive culture.
Ibutilide for A-fib in Real World Practice
Ibutilide worked to chemically cardiovert rapid atrial fibrillation in just over half of cases but was associated with the feared complication, ventricular tachycardia, in 2 patients (0.6%).
DOAC vs Warfarin Related Non-Traumatic ICH
Compared with vitamin K antagonist (VKA)-related non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC)-related ICH had less disability, smaller bleeds, and the meta-analysis showed lower in-hospital mortality rates.
Should We Give Delayed Lytics for Stroke Over Age 80?
Elderly stroke patients over age 80 who received tPA >3 - 4.5 hours from time of onset were more likely to have symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH), 10% vs 8% in the <3-hour group, but overall mortality and percentage with good neurological outcome was the same in the delayed group as patients who received it in under 3 hours.
Mounting Evidence for Dexamethasone in Pharyngitis
In patients age 5 years through adulthood with sore throat of any cause, use of a single, low-dose steroid (most often dexamethasone 10mg or 0.6mg/kg for children, max 10mg; most given orally) were twice as likely to have pain relief at 24 hours.
Why Norepinephrine is Better than Dopamine for Shock
Norepinephrine and dopamine were equal with regard to mortality in shock, except for the subgroup with cardiogenic shock, in which the dopamine group fared worse. There were twice as many dysrhythmias in the dopamine group, largely atrial fibrillation.
Are We Giving Epinephrine Too Frequently?
Current PALS (and ACLS) algorithms recommend repeat epinephrine doses q3-5 minutes. This study suggested that this is too frequent. If doses were spaced 8-10 minutes, pediatric patients had significantly better survival.
Is Analgesic Rebound Headache a Myth?
Medication overuse headache (MOH), also known as rebound headache or drug-induced headache, may be the stuff of legend. The evidence for it is sketchy. The authors say, "Until the evidence is better, we should avoid dogmatism about the use of symptomatic medication."
Fluoroquinolones Cause Pseudotumor?
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics were associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Avoid the ‘Roids – Steroids for Lower Respiratory Infection
Oral steroids were of no benefit for non-asthmatic patients with bronchitis.