Validation of the smoking habits of a sample of the patient population seen in a pulmonary function laboratory.

From a structured history of 32 current smokers seen in the pulmonary function laboratory of a community hospital, we determined the number of cigarettes they smoked in 24 h. We also asked them to estimate their cigarette butt lengths from a visual model and to collect all cigarette butts over the next 24 h and mail them to us. We counted the butts, individually measured their lengths, and compared these with their previous estimates in order to validate their claims.

Early nonhemorrhagic cardiac tamponade complicating acute myocardial infarction: a case report and review of the literature.

Pericarditis and small pericardial effusions frequently occur following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A case is reported in which nonhemorrhagic cardiac tamponade complicated AMI within three days of the acute event. In such cases the placement of a pericardial drainage catheter may obviate the need for repeated pericardiocentesis.