Geriatrics
- Are we causing anemia by ordering unnecessary blood tests?
Iatrogenic anemia from blood draws is common, serious, and unnecessary.
- Navigating pneumococcal vaccination in adults
With two nonequivalent vaccines and different schedules for different groups, vaccination can be confusing.
- Opioids for persistent pain in older adults
Legitimate need must be balanced against the risks, especially in older patients.
- Predicting is tough, especially about the future
All risk calculators—not just for anticoagulation—are based on the “average” patient. And no patient is average.
- How can I predict bleeding in my elderly patient taking anticoagulants?
We have tools, but their predictive value is modest. Clinical judgment is important.
- An 85-year-old woman with respiratory failure and positional hypoxemia
Her oxygen saturation was more than 93% when lying down but dropped to less than 85% when she was upright.
- Phrenic nerve paralysis induced by brachial plexus block
The patient developed shortness of breath 1 day after undergoing arthroscopic repair of a rotator cuff.
When does asymptomatic aortic stenosis warrant surgery? Assessment techniquesWe review the guidelines for valve replacement and the traditional and novel variables to consider.
- Interpreting SPRINT: How low should you go?
In treating hypertension, lower systolic pressure is better than higher—but with caveats.
- Blood pressure management in the wake of SPRINT
SPRINT should be interpreted in the context of prior trials and of its inclusion and exclusion criteria.
