Emergency Medicine Clinical Briefs

• New Guidelines on H1N1 Influenza Urge Quicker Use of Antivirals CME/CE Updated WHO treatment guidelines for H1N1 influenza urge clinicians to administer antiviral medications as soon as possible for patients in at-risk groups with flu-like symptoms.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Women With SCA Less Likely Than Men to Have Structural Heart Disease CME In a study, women were significantly less likely than men to have a diagnosis of structural heart disease (left ventricular dysfunction or coronary artery disease) before sudden cardiac arrest.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Handheld Decision-Support System May Improve Diagnostic Workup for Pulmonary Embolism CME In a cluster randomized trial, a handheld decision-support system in the emergency department improved diagnostic decision making for patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Hypothermia Decreases Brain Injury in Hypoxic Infants; MRI Aids in Predicting Prognosis CME A new study confirms that therapeutic hypothermia is helpful in reducing brain tissue injury in infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and establishes MRI as a useful biomarker of outcome at 18 months.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Direct Transfer to ICU May Benefit Some Patients Without Major Criteria for Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia CME A secondary analysis shows that some patients without major consensus guideline criteria for severe community-acquired pneumonia may benefit from direct transfer to the intensive care unit.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Management of Diverticular Bleeding Reviewed CME A review provides clinical recommendations for treating diverticular bleeding in the family practice setting.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Herpes Zoster Attacks Increase Stroke Risk By 30% CME A new epidemiologic study shows that the risk for stroke increases after a zoster attack (shingles) by 30% and by up to 4-fold when the attack involves the eye.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Strategies for Diagnosing and Treating Dehydration in Children CME/CE A review article for the family practitioner offers strategies for diagnosing and treating dehydration in children; oral rehydration therapy is preferred in most cases.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Lupus Anticoagulant a Major Risk Factor for Stroke and MI in Young Women CME Results of the RATIO study suggest lupus anticoagulant, but not anticardiolipin or antiprothrombin antibodies, is associated with increased stroke risk and, to a lesser extent, myocardial infarction.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Ibuprofen Bests Acetaminophen/Codeine for Pediatric Arm Fracture Pain CME Although pain relief is comparable, ibuprofen is probably a better choice because of improved functional outcomes, fewer adverse effects, and higher patient and parental satisfaction.
  Reuters Health Information CME, October 2009
• Drain Reduces Hematoma Recurrence After Burr-Hole Evacuation CME Results from a randomized clinical trial confirm that a drain drastically reduces subdural hematoma recurrence and mortality rates at 6 months.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Surgical Mask May Be Comparable to N95 Respirator in Halting Flu Transmission CME/CE In a randomized controlled trial, use of a surgical mask compared with an N95 respirator was associated with noninferior rates of laboratory-confirmed influenza in healthcare workers.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Validated Rules May Predict Children at Very Low Risk for Brain Injury After Head Trauma CME/CE Using these validated prediction rules to identify children at very low risk for clinically important traumatic brain injuries might prevent unnecessary CT scans and radiation exposure.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Increasing Duration of Chest Compressions During CPR May Lead to Better Survival for Patients in Cardiac Arrest CME Increasing the time that rescuers spend on chest compressions while performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation could lead to increased survival in patients in cardiac arrest.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Procalcitonin Measurements May Reduce Rates of Antibiotic Use for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections CME In patients with lower respiratory tract infections, procalcitonin guidance vs standard guidelines yielded similar rates of adverse outcomes but lower rates of antibiotic exposure and adverse effects.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• American Academy of Pediatrics Updates Flu Recommendations CME/CE The AAP has updated current recommendations for routine use of trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine and antiviral medications for the prevention and treatment of influenza in children.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Immediate vs Delayed Intervention Not Superior in Reducing MI in NSTE-ACS CME In patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation, no significant difference exists between immediate vs delayed intervention in reducing myocardial infarction.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Antipyretic Agents May Not Prevent Febrile Seizures CME/CE In a trial, antipyretic agents were ineffective for preventing recurrences of febrile seizures or lowering body temperature in patients with a febrile episode leading to a recurrent febrile seizure.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Asymptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease Risky for Stroke Survivors CME Patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack are at high risk for vascular events, and researchers are suggesting that they may not show any signs or symptoms.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Large Waist Size Linked to Asthma in Women CME In the California Teachers Study cohort, a large waist was associated with increased asthma prevalence, even among women considered to have normal body weight.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009