Background: The relationship between functional status and outcomes following in‐hospital cardiac arrest is not well described. We hypothesized that decreased functional status would correlate with worse outcomes following in‐hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We further theorized that this result would be mediated, at least in part, by less aggressive CPR efforts and increased use of do‐not‐attempt‐resuscitation […]

Background: Narcotic‐induced constipation (NIC) is a common complaint among patients taking narcotics and significantly impedes optimal pain control and recovery. Its most feared and potentially fatal complication is fecal impaction with subsequent bowel perforation, Although NIC is effectively managed with laxatives and enemas, it remains prevalent in hospitals. Our objective is to evaluate the role […]

Case Presentation: A 65‐year‐old man with past medical history significant for diverticulosis and irritable bowel syndrome presents with complaints of decreased visual acuity. He reported that his vision had been deteriorating for several months, and sought attention from an ophthalmologist, who diagnosed the patient with optic nerve atrophy. The patient also states that he worked […]

Background: Clostridium difficile–associated disease (CDAD) is the most common cause of health care–associated infectious diarrhea. The past decade has witnessed an unprecedented increase in CDAD incidence, fatality rate, and resistance to metronidazole. catalyzing the search for new therapies. To date, 5 small studies have reported the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for severe CDAD with […]

Background: High doses of erythropoietin and iron, usually required for the treatment of anemia in hemodialysis patients, are associated with longterm adverse consequences. Ascorbic acid, an antioxidant, can increase the available functional iron, decrease iron and erythropoietin requirements, and improve anemia. Results of clinical trials have been inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a meta‐analysis of clinical […]

Background: Pocket hematoma formation is a common complication after pacemaker and implantable cardioverter‐defibriIlater (ICD) placement. In this study, we investigated the influence of patients' comorbidities on the rate of pocket hematoma formation after pacemaker and ICD placement. Methods: This study retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 458 patients (male 65%, mean age 71 years) who underwent […]

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) portends an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), independent of traditional risk factors, and is also associated with increased carotid intimal wall thickness. Metabolic syndrome has also been associated with an increased rate of progression of aortic stenosis (AS) and an accelerated rate of degeneration of bioprosthetic aortic valves. The […]

Background: The study sought to determine the outcomes of patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) who received an implantable cardiovertor defibrillator (ICD) for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 171 patients with systolic heart failure who underwent ICD placement for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death from April 2004 […]

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the predictors and prognosis of worsening renal function (WRF) in patients hospitalized with acute diastolic heart failure. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 149 patients who were admitted with acute diastolic heart failure at Regions Hospital from April 2004 to September 2008. All patients received intravenous (IV) furosemide […]

Background: According to the guidelines from the American Thoracic Society, posteroanterior and if possible lateral chest radiographs should be obtained if pneumonia is suspected in adults, The chest radiograph continues to be the initial imaging tool to assess the lung parenchyma because its yield in relation to cost radiation dose, availability, and ease of performance […]