Precision of cementum annuli method for aging male white-tailed deer.

The most common method used to estimate ages of harvested white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and other cervids is a criterion based on tooth replacement-and-wear (TRW). Previous studies have shown this method is prone to considerable error because TRW is partially subjective. A presumably more accurate, but more labor intensive and expensive, method to estimate age involves the counting of cementum annuli (CA) of cross-sectioned incisors.

Preemptive Anticoagulation in Patients With a High Pretest Probability of Pulmonary Embolism: Are Guidelines Followed?

Background: Guidelines suggest anticoagulation of patients with high pretest probability of pulmonary embolism (PE) while awaiting diagnostic test results (preemptive anticoagulation). Data relevant to the practice of preemptive anticoagulation are not available.

Methods: We reviewed 3,500 consecutive patients who underwent CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) at two EDs.

Assessment of the safety and efficiency of using an age-adjusted D-dimer threshold to exclude suspected pulmonary embolism.

Background: D-dimer levels increase with age, and research has suggested that using an age-adjusted D-dimer threshold may improve diagnostic efficiency without compromising safety. The objective of this study was to assess the safety of using an age-adjusted D-dimer threshold in the workup of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods: We report the outcomes of 923 patients aged > 50 years presenting to our ED with suspected PE, a calculated Revised Geneva Score (RGS), and a D-dimer test.

Adherence to PIOPED II investigators' recommendations for computed tomography pulmonary angiography.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography use has increased dramatically, raising concerns for patient safety. Adherence to recommendations and guidelines may protect patients. We measured adherence to the recommendations of Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PIOPED II) investigators for evaluation of suspected pulmonary embolism and the rate of potential false-positive pulmonary embolism diagnoses when recommendations of PIOPED II investigators were not followed.