The impact of automatic prescriptions on reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

Context: Compliance with the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines for secondary prevention of atherosclerotic disease has been poor.

Objective: To determine whether an automatic prescription would improve compliance with NCEP guidelines on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol for secondary prevention of atherosclerotic disease.

Design: Observational study in which physicians chose whether to use an automatic prescription system.

Magnesium therapy in massive digoxin intoxication.

A potentially fatal case of massive digitalis intoxication is presented. Recurrent ventricular fibrillation failed to respond to lidocaine or phenytoin, but responded dramatically to magnesium sulfate infusion. A review of the literature and previous clinical studies, as well as the case reported here, appears to indicate that magnesium sulfate given intravenously in adequate quantities (2 to 3 g in one minute followed by 2 g/h for 4 to 5 h) is effective in controlling ventricular irritability caused by toxic levels of digitalis preparations.