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Young children with community acquired pneumonia seemed to do fine with a beta-lactam antibiotic only and didn't appear to benefit from adding a macrolide.

This retrospective dredge of the ROMICAT-II trial found that clinical evaluation alone had decreased length of stay (LOS) and appeared to be just as safe with respect to major adverse coronary events as those who had non-invasive testing, with lower cost and radiation exposure.

The AHA has published new guidelines replacing the JNC guidelines for management of hypertension. Here is what you need to know.

Patients who had blunt trauma with CPR > 10 minutes, penetrating trauma with CPR > 15 minutes, or asystole without tamponade should not undergo resuscitative thoracotomy in the ED as it would be futile.

Several myths surround the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.  This review debunks them.

This retrospective study echoes REACT-2: pan-scan is low yield. The proportion of patients with clinically significant injury (CSI) involving at least 2 simultaneous body regions - head/neck| chest| abdomen/pelvis was 1 to 3%; 0.6% had CSI simultaneously in all 3 regions.

Among patients with no alternative medical explanation, a measurable yet stable high sensitivity troponin (hsTn-T) was a prognosticator for mortality, MI, and hospitalization for heart failure.

The differential of wide complex tachycardia (WCT) includes ventricular tachycardia (VT) and supraventricular tachycardia with aberrant conduction (SVT-AC). The summary below provides some tips for differentiating the two. However, if you are unsure it is always prudent to assume VT until proven otherwise.

Not surprisingly, heavier patients had lower first-pass endotracheal tube success.  They also had succinylcholine under-dosed more often. Give yourself the best chance for success and optimize muscle relaxation in obese patients.

In this small study, IVC collapse of >/= 50% on bedside ultrasound correlated with a CVP </= 8 cm H2O and was 91% sensitive, 94% specific.  But be sure to read the discussion.