Analysis of major alleles associated with age-related macular degeneration in patients with multifocal choroiditis: strong association with complement factor H.

Objective: To analyze the frequency of major age-related macular degeneration (AMD)-associated alleles in patients with multifocal choroiditis (MFC).

Methods: A cohort of 48 patients with MFC was compared with previously characterized cohorts of patients with advanced AMD (368 samples) and matched unaffected controls (368 samples). Allele and genotype frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms for the following AMD-associated alleles were evaluated: risk alleles in complement factor H (CFH) gene (Y402H and IVS14) and LOC387715/HTRA1 gene on 10q26 (A69S) and protective alleles in CFH (IVS1, IVS6, and delCFHR1-3) and complement factor B loci (H9L and R32Q).

Bevacizumab (avastin) and ranibizumab (lucentis) for choroidal neovascularization in multifocal choroiditis.

Background: Multifocal choroiditis (MFC) is an inflammatory condition, occasionally associated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Bevacizumab (Avastin) and ranibizumab (Lucentis) are therapies that target vascular endothelial growth factor. Bevacizumab and ranibizumab have been used successfully to treat CNV in age-related and myopic macular degeneration.

Unrecognized misplacement of endotracheal tubes by ground prehospital providers.

Objective: Endotracheal intubation by emergency medical services (EMS) is well established. Esophageal misplacement is a catastrophic complication that has until recently been studied by using methods that have called into question the accuracy of the reported data. The purpose of our study was to determine the incidence of unrecognized endotracheal tube misplacement, reasons for deferred intubations in the field, and to report outcomes in those patients with unrecognized misplacement.

The prevalence of nontherapeutic and dangerous international normalized ratios among patients receiving warfarin in the emergency department.

Study Objective: We determine the prevalence of nontherapeutic and coagulopathic international normalized ratios (INRs) among patients receiving warfarin and presenting to an emergency department (ED). As a secondary goal, we aim to determine whether a simple decision aid composed of physical examination and historical features could be predictive of INR greater than 5.

Methods: This was a prospective, observational study at 2 associated urban academic centers from February 2003 through May 2004, using a convenience sample of patients identified by direct questioning and contemporaneous medical record review in the ED as receiving long-term warfarin therapy.