Piperacillin/Tazobactam Use vs Cefepime May Be Associated With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Background: Piperacillin/tazobactam (PTZ) has been cautiously used or avoided in patients with a history of heart disease due to concern for heart failure (HF) exacerbation given its relatively high sodium content. However, no prior studies have established this association.

Methods: The Antimicrobial Stewardship Team at the James H.

Mediastinal Mass Caused by Granulomatous Reaction to Foreign Plant Material Following a Spontaneous Esophageal Rupture.

The discovery of a mediastinal mass presents a wide array of differential diagnoses which largely depends on the boundaries of the mass and its contents. Both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the chest can determine radiologic compartmentalization to aid in diagnosis. Tissue biopsy for pathology, however, is necessary for final diagnosis.

Evaluation of a trough-only extrapolated area under the curve vancomycin dosing method on clinical outcomes.

Background Vancomycin dosing strategies targeting trough concentrations of 15-20 mg/L are no longer supported due to lack of efficacy evidence and increased risk of nephrotoxicity. Area-under-the-curve (AUC) nomograms have demonstrated adequate attainment of AUC goals ≥ 400 mg h/L with more conservative troughs (10-15 mg/L). Objective The purpose of this study is to clinically validate a vancomycin AUC dosing nomogram compared to conventional dosing methods with regards to therapeutic failure and rates of acute kidney injury.

Non-occlusive ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction following the administration of liposomal amphotericin B in the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis.

What Is Known And Objective: Liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) is the cornerstone of many serious invasive fungal infections. Despite lower frequencies of commonly reported adverse events in clinical trials compared to conventional formulations, post-marketing complications continue to mount.

Case Description: We present a case of chest pain following the initial dose of L-AmB for cryptococcal meningitis.

Gender differences in risk profile and outcome of Middle Eastern patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

To determine the gender differences in cardiovascular risk profile and outcomes among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: In a prospective multicenter study of consecutive Middle Eastern patients managed with PCI from January 2013 to February 2014 in 12 tertiary care centers in Amman and Irbid, Jordan. Clinical and coronary angiographic features, and major cardiovascular events were assessed for both genders from hospital stay to 1 year.

Constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a review of current and emerging drug therapies.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent medical condition that adversely affects patient quality of life and constitutes a significant economic burden on healthcare resources. A large proportion of patients suffer from the constipation subtype of IBS (IBS-C), most commonly afflicting older individuals and those with a lower socioeconomic status. Conventional pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment options have limited efficacies and/or significant adverse events, which lead to increased long-term health care expenditures.