NEJM Journal Watch - General Medicine

West Nile Virus Infection: Get Ready for an Uptick in Cases

Two recent reviews and the CDC website provide useful information for clinicians.

What's the Effect of Delayed Surgery for Septic Arthritis?

Delaying surgical washout of septic joints leads to an increased risk of treatment failure.

Which Cardiovascular Risk Calculator Is Best in Older Adults?

PREVENT proved much more accurate than the older calculator in older adults.

What Factors Are Associated with Readmissions After Rib Fractures in Older Patients?

Twenty percent of patients were readmitted within 3 months, often for cardiovascular and infectious sequelae.

When Does the Immune Response to an Infection Begin?

In a virtual reality simulation, the brains of healthy people released neuroimmune mediators in response to the threat of infection by perceived “sick” people.

Which Drugs Are Associated Most Closely with Hypotension During Hemodialysis?

Associations were stronger with β-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin-receptor blockers than with calcium-channel blockers.

What Should Clinicians Include in Shoulder Examinations?

In a consensus study, rheumatology fellowship program directors recommend a set of essential maneuvers.

When to Refer Patients for Liver Transplant

In this review article, the authors encourage referral after any decompensation event regardless of MELD score.

Which Patients with Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source Benefit from Anticoagulation Over Antiplatelet Therapy?

A meta-analysis finds a potential signal favoring anticoagulation for patent foramen ovale and mixed results for left atrial enlargement.

What Do “Silent” Mucus Plugs in COPD Patients Tell Us?

Mucus plugs seen on chest CT in patients without evident symptoms were associated with more-severe disease.