July 29, 2012 |  0
In this large multi center trial of patients with suspected ACS, but with non-ischemic EKG and normal troponins, they were randomized to usual evaluation or coronary CTA. The mean LOS in the hospital was reduced by 7.6 hours with CTA, but there was no difference in the overall cost of care, and there was higher […]
July 29, 2012 |  0
In this large meta-analysis of randomized trials of VTE prophylaxis after hip/knee surgery, compared to enoxaparin, the risk of symptomatic VTE was lower was rivaroxaban and similar with dabigatran and apixaban; but the risk of bleeding with higher with rivaroxaban, similar with dabigatran, and lower with apixaban. Overall, the treatments did not differ on net […]
July 29, 2012 |  0
In this multi center observational study of imaging in patients in suspected PE, based on the NQF measure, about a third of PE testing was not necessary (those without Ddimer testing, or negative DDimer testing). The use of evidence based diagnostic testing for PE can reduce up to a third of all testing (abstract).
July 29, 2012 |  0
This large retrospective cohort found the risk of AMI was markedly elevated within the 2 weeks after elective hip surgery (hazard ratio 26) and 2 weeks after elective knee surgery (hazard ratio 31). It remained elevated for 2-6 weeks after hip surgery (hazard ratio 5) but not for the 2-6 weeks after knee surgery (compared […]
July 29, 2012 |  0
In this small meta-analysis of 2 randomized controlled trials, pre-operative alcohol cessation reduced the odds of peri-operative complications (Odds ratio 0.22, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.61), but did not have any effect on in-hospital or 30 day mortality (abstract).
July 29, 2012 |  0
In this analysis from the RELY trial, the risk of periprocedural bleeding was compared between those on warfarin and those on dabigatran (from 7 days before to 30 days after an invasive procedure). Dabigatran was interrupted a mean of 49 hours before the procedures, and warfarin for 114 hours. There was no significant difference in […]