\n\nConclusions. Patients with advanced HF showed a high number of PVCs with attenuated HRT parameters, reflecting increased circulating catecholamine levels and decreased response

of the autonomic nervous system. Patients who underwent HT showed elevated MHRs, a small number of PVCs, and attenuated HRT values, as corresponds to a denervated heart.”
“Time delay to tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis remains a public health concern. In pregnancy, early TB diagnosis is challenging and acquires further significance due to the risk of infection of the newborn as well as others in the maternity setting. We report a delay of 12 weeks in the diagnosis of TB in a pregnant recent immigrant from Ethiopia to Israel. Contact investigation selleck revealed pulmonary TB in her two daughters aged four and seven years. We discuss the reasons for this delay in diagnosis, how a more timely diagnosis might have been made, and the dilemma of initiating treatment in unconfirmed TB. (C) 2014 Primary Care Respiratory Society UK. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: To test whether applying a continuous risk-adjusted charting method, using an exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) chart, would have been useful for monitoring outcomes of patients admitted to the intensive care unit at Bundaberg Base Hospital, Queensland, between November 2000 and December 2005.\n\nDesign, setting

and participants: An EWMA chart was constructed to show the change in observed compared with predicted mortality over time, using data submitted to the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Adult Patient Database. Limitations and practical implications of this monitoring technique selleck screening library were evaluated and compared with a routine monitoring technique using the annual standardised mortality ratio.\n\nMain outcome measure: In-hospital mortality.\n\nResults: Data were submitted on three occasions (August 2002, November 2002 and February

2006). In each year before 2005, the EWMA chart showed periods when observed mortality appeared higher than predicted. These periods were not detectable by analysing the data with an annual standardised mortality ratio. CYT387 molecular weight Comparison of aggregated data from peer group hospitals suggested that the mortality prediction model (APACHE III-j) was an appropriate risk adjustment model for this analysis.\n\nConclusions: Continuous monitoring of outcomes using an EWMA chart may have advantages over other techniques. Had data been available, analysis with an EWMA chart might have prompted review of processes and outcomes among patients at Bundaberg Base Hospital ICU. Crit Care Resusc 2010; 12: 36-41″
“Objective. To test the hypothesis that transcatheter elimination of left-to-right (L-R) cardiac shunts in former premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is feasible, safe, and is associated with an improvement in respiratory status.\n\nDesign. Retrospective case review.\n\nPatients.