Atraumatic Spinal Needles Significantly Decrease the Risk of Post-Dural Puncture Headaches or Spinal Headaches

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Featured Procedure, Gastrointestinal diseases, Medical General, Oncology, Traumatology
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According to recent studies, atraumatic needles (ATN) reduce the rate of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) when compared to traumatic needles (TN – or bevel-tip needles such as Quincke needles) (27% vs 60%).  Also, the mean duration of PDPH from ATN…
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Septic Cancer Patients May Have A Decreased Mortality Using a Liberal Versus a Restrictive Transfusion Threshold

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Infections, Oncology
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There is now very convincing evidence to support a restrictive transfusion threshold — hemoglobin, <7 g/dL — for most critically ill patients that is supported by guidelines from the American Association of Blood Banks and the TRICC and FOCUS trials. …
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2017 Consensus Guidelines on the Approach to Syncope in Adults and Children

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Cardiovascular diseases, Medical General, Oncology, Respiratory diseases, Traumatology
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Key Recommendations 1). Initial evaluation Conduct physical exam, history (with careful attention to factors in Tables 1 & 2) and resting electrocardiogram (ECG) to identify a possible cause (see Tables 2 & 3). 2). Disposition from the emergency department (ED)…
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An Update on the Treatment of Venous Thromboembolic Disease

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
More Articles – Cardiovascular diseases, Hematology, Medical General, Oncology
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Every four years the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) disseminates a new set of guidelines on the evaluation and management of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE). The ACCP just released its updated guidelines for the treatment of VTE and I…
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