Acute Myocardial Infarction in Pregnancy.

Cardiovascular disease, and particularly ischemic heart disease, is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in high-income countries. The incidence of acute myocardial infarction has been rising over the past 2 decades due to increasing maternal age and a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the pregnant population. Causes of acute myocardial infarction in pregnancy are diverse and may require specific considerations for their diagnosis and management.

Airway clearance by exercising in mild cystic fibrosis (ACE-CF): A feasibility study.

Background: People with cystic fibrosis (CF) are encouraged to perform airway clearance techniques on a daily basis. Whilst several short-term studies support a potential role for exercise as an airway clearance technique, to date no medium to longer term studies have investigated the use of exercise as a stand-alone airway clearance technique.

Objective: To determine the feasibility of a protocol investigating the use of exercise as a stand-alone form of airway clearance in adults with CF.

Marijuana and Breastfeeding: Applicability of the Current Literature to Clinical Practice.

With recent legalization of marijuana in numerous U.S. states, the risk of marijuana exposure via breast milk is a rising concern.

A retrospective cohort study of hospital versus home care for pregnant women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes.

Objective: To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes between in-hospital management and prepartum care at home (PCAH) among women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) before 34 weeks of pregnancy.

Methods: In a retrospective study, data were analyzed from women who experienced PPROM between 23 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, and received care from two hospitals in British Columbia, Canada, between April 2007 and March 2012. Women were included if they had been stable in hospital for at least 72 hours and met eligibility criteria for PCAH.

The psychometric properties of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire and Respiratory Symptoms in CF tool in cystic fibrosis: A preliminary study.

Background: There are few tools to quantify the impact of cough in cystic fibrosis (CF). The psychometric properties of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) and Respiratory Symptoms in CF (ReS-CF) tool were investigated in adults with CF.

Methods: Validity and reliability were assessed in clinically stable participants who completed the questionnaires twice, along with the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire - Revised (CFQ-R).

The Management of Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy.

Objectives: To review the evidence-based management of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum.

Evidence: MEDLINE and Cochrane database searches were performed using the medical subject headings of treatment, nausea, vomiting, pregnancy, and hyperemesis gravidarum. The quality of evidence reported in these guidelines has been described using the Evaluation of Evidence criteria outlined in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care.

Drug-induced fulminant hepatic failure in pregnancy.

Liver disease in pregnancy can be classified as predating, co-incidental or unique to pregnancy. Medications are often overlooked as a significant cause of liver disease. We present the case of a 39-year-old patient who presented at 20 weeks with jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, and abnormal liver function progressing eventually to fulminant hepatic failure.

Maternal medication, drug use, and breastfeeding.

This article reviews the necessary skills required for clinicians to make informed decisions about the use of medications in breastfeeding women. Even without specific data on certain medications, this review of kinetic principles, mechanisms of medication entry into breast milk, and important infant factors can aid in clinical decision making. In addition, the article reviews common medical conditions (eg, depression, hypertension, infections) in breastfeeding women and their appropriate treatment.

Comparison of pharmacist knowledge, perceptions and training opportunities regarding maternal-fetal medicine in Canada, Qatar and Uganda.

Background: Although pharmacists have great potential to modify and optimize drug therapy in pregnancy and lactation, current literature demonstrates that they do not routinely provide this care and often feel ill equipped to do so. The objective of this study was to determine pharmacists' knowledge and perceptions of maternal-fetal medicine in Canada, Uganda and Qatar. Secondary objectives were to determine factors associated with pharmacists' knowledge and to characterize training opportunities and resources available to practising pharmacists.

Transfer of linezolid into breast milk.

Linezolid, a broad-spectrum antibiotic used primarily for treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, is the first oxazolidinone approved for clinical use. This is a case report of a 30-year-old woman who was exclusively breastfeeding her infant prior to taking linezolid 600 mg orally every 12 hours to treat a MRSA mastitis. Breast milk samples were obtained over a 12-hour dosing interval on day 1 (after a single dose of therapy) and again on day 14 (at steady state).

Pharmacists and maternal-fetal medicine: development of a tool to characterize knowledge and current clinical practice.

Objective: To develop a knowledge assessment tool to assess baseline knowledge and current practice regarding maternal-fetal medicine.

Methods: A literature search was complemented with categorization of questions under five predefined domains related to maternal-fetal medicine. The final questionnaire was sent for expert review, cultural adaptation, and piloting, with feedback incorporated accordingly.

Physical activity levels of patients with cystic fibrosis hospitalised with an acute respiratory exacerbation.

Background: The physical activity levels of adult patients with cystic fibrosis hospitalised for an acute respiratory exacerbation is unknown.

Methods: A prospective observational study was undertaken. Physical activity levels were measured for a 24-h period using an activity monitor (SenseWear(®) Pro 3) during hospitalisation for an acute respiratory exacerbation and one month post-discharge.

Maternal medication, drug use, and breastfeeding.

This article reviews the necessary skills required for clinicians to make informed decisions about the use of medications in women who are breastfeeding. Even without specific data on certain medications, this review of kinetic principles, mechanisms of medication entry into breast milk, and important infant factors can aid in clinical decision making. In addition, common medical conditions and suitable treatments of depression, hypertension, infections and so forth for women who are breastfeeding are also reviewed.