Comparison of clinical scores for identification of patients with pulmonary embolism at intermediate-high risk of adverse clinical outcome: the prognostic role of plasma lactate.

To compare the prognostic accuracy of the 2014 risk model of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and of Bova and TELOS scores for identification of normotensive patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) at high risk for short-term adverse events (i.e., intermediate-high risk patients), we retrospectively applied these tests to a prospective cohort of 994 normotensive patients with objectively confirmed PE.

Prognostic indexes of septic syndrome in the emergency department.

Objective: Sepsis is a frequent and often lethal condition. Rapid identification and aggressive therapy in the emergency department (ED) are essential for outcome. Several indexes were found to be significantly related to short-term clinical outcome, but only bedside, rapidly available tests are thought to be useful in the ED.

Does advanced age affect the immediate and long-term results of direct-current external cardioversion of atrial fibrillation?

Objectives: To determine whether advanced age affects the immediate and long-term results of direct-current external cardioversion (ECV) of atrial fibrillation (AF), the sustained arrhythmia most commonly encountered in older patients.

Design: Retrospective analysis of medical records.

Setting: Intensive care unit.