Aerosolization of COVID-19 and Contamination Risks During Respiratory Treatments.

Background: Aerosolized medications are frequently administered across the health care continuum to acutely ill patients. During viral pandemics, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise the application of airborne precautions when performing aerosol-generating medical procedures, such as aerosolized medications.

Observations: Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including fit-tested particulate respirators should be worn when administering nebulized medications to patients.

Oral Liquid Potassium Chloride Dosing Pathway in a Tertiary Care Veteran Affairs Academic Medical Center.

Hypokalemia, defined as a serum potassium (K) concentration of <3.5 mEq/L, is an electrolyte imbalance commonly found in hospitalized patients. Hypokalemia is associated with potentially severe complications, including arrhythmias, which necessitate careful monitoring and repletion with potassium.

Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Acutely Ill Veterans With Respiratory Disease.

This observational study assessed the rate and appropriateness of pharmacologic venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in veterans with pulmonary disease who were admitted to the hospital for a nonsurgical stay.

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of valsartan in the post-myocardial infarction population.

Introduction: The most common risk factors for heart failure are hypertension and myocardial infarction. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) attenuate the deleterious effects of angiotensin II. Valsartan is a once or twice daily ARB that is FDA-approved for hypertension, LV dysfunction post-myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure as both an adjunct in ACE-inhibitor tolerant, and alternative in ACE-I intolerant patients.

Role of aggressive LDL reduction in patients with coronary heart disease.

The aim of the present study was to integrate research evidence with the care of the patient with coronary heart disease (CHD) and place into perspective the importance of intensive statin therapy. We reviewed five major trials and select related post hoc analyses that examined the beneficial effects from intensive low-density lipoprotein (LDL) reduction on combined morbidity and mortality end points in patients with stabilized CHD and those with recent acute coronary syndrome.Accumulating evidence since the publication of the pivotal Heart Protection Study and Adult Treatment Panel III supports a more intensive LDL reduction than that recommended in the 2004 Adult Treatment Panel III update.

The clinical pharmacology of eplerenone.

Eplerenone is an aldosterone receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure. Eplerenone contains an epoxy group, which offers greater mineralocorticoid receptor specificity. It is an effective antihypertensive that has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in individuals with left ventricular dysfunction post myocardial infarction.