Management of Chronic Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a commonly seen clinical entity in the family physician's practice. This clinical review focuses on the pharmacologic management of chronic HFrEF. Special attention is paid to the classification of heart failure and the newest recommendations from the American Heart Association concerning the use of guideline-directed medical therapy.

Common Issues in Prenatal Care: Antepartum Fetal Surveillance.

Patients at increased risk of stillbirth should be assessed with antepartum fetal surveillance (AFS) tests at regular intervals. In general, AFS should begin at the gestational age at which delivery would be considered. Most surveillance tests are performed weekly, but more frequent testing should be considered for patients with high-risk conditions.

Common Issues in Prenatal Care: Fetal Growth Restriction.

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is defined as an ultrasound (US)-determined estimated fetal weight or abdominal circumference less than the 10th percentile according to a population level reference curve. FGR affects up to 10% of pregnancies. Fetuses with FGR are at increased risk of intrauterine mortality and, postnatally, neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, and suboptimal neurologic, behavioral, and cognitive development.

Common Issues in Prenatal Care: Gestational Diabetes.

Two screening approaches are used to detect gestational diabetes, the 1-step and 2-step methods. The 1-step method is diagnostic and consists of a 75-g, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The 2-step method consists of a 50-g, 1-hour glucose challenge test, followed by a 100-g, 3-hr OGTT if initial test results are positive.

Common Issues in Prenatal Care: First Trimester Bleeding.

Vaginal bleeding in the first trimester is a common concern during pregnancy. The amount of bleeding and associated symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, can be of prognostic value. Timely evaluation with vital signs, physical examination, laboratory tests (eg, Rh factor, hemoglobin and possibly progesterone levels), and pelvic ultrasound (US) can distinguish among viable pregnancy, nonviable pregnancy, intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) of uncertain viability, and pregnancy of unknown location.

Cervical Cancer Screening Outcomes Among a Sample of Low-Income Uninsured Women: A Program-Based Study.

Most studies examining cervical cancer screening outcomes have focused on either an age-specific diagnosis and outcomes of abnormal smears or frequency of abnormal outcomes among a sample of insured women. Thus, it is unclear what the distribution outcomes would be when other sociodemographic characteristics are considered. This study examines the variation in cervical cancer screening outcomes and sociodemographic characteristics (patients' age, marital status, race/ethnicity, rurality, and Papanicolaou [Pap] test screening history) within a sample of low-income and uninsured women.

The association between rurality, sociodemographic characteristics, and mammogram screening outcomes among a sample of low-income uninsured women.

Studies have found a positive association between adherence to mammography screening guidelines and early detection of breast cancer lesions, yet the proportion of women who get screened for breast cancer remains below national targets. Previous studies have found that mammography screening rates vary by sociodemographic factors including race/ethnicity, income, education, and rurality. It is less known whether sociodemographic factors are also related to mammography screening in underserved populations.

A case study of evaluating bilateral lung dose for VMAT treatment planning using a partial sagittal arc.

Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is a potential toxic side effect of thoracic radiotherapy. Optimal planning techniques must maintain tumor coverage while limiting dose to normal lung tissue to reduce the risk of patients developing RP. The addition of a noncoplanar arc may be beneficial by increasing treatment angles and providing an ideal dose distribution for tumor coverage while decreasing dose to organs at risk (OAR).

Lower Gastrointestinal Conditions: Diverticular Disease.

Diverticular disease is a spectrum of conditions related to diverticulosis and includes symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis, diverticular bleeding, and diverticulitis. The spectrum of pathology contributes significantly to gastrointestinal comorbidities and increases in prevalence with age. Diverticulosis is associated with low dietary fiber intake, obesity, an inactive lifestyle, and family history.

Effects of indoor environmental parameters related to building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems on patients' medical outcomes: A review of scientific research on hospital buildings.

The indoor environment of a mechanically ventilated hospital building controls infection rates as well as influences patients' healing processes and overall medical outcomes. This review covers the scientific research that has assessed patients' medical outcomes concerning at least one indoor environmental parameter related to building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, such as indoor air temperature, relative humidity, and indoor air ventilation parameters. Research related to the naturally ventilated hospital buildings was outside the scope of this review article.