Adverse outcomes among Aboriginal patients receiving peritoneal dialysis
Manish M. Sood MD, Paul Komenda MD MHA, Amy R. Sood Pharm D and colleagues
July 26, 2010

Compared with non-Aboriginal patients, Aboriginal patients on peritoneal dialysis had higher mortality and shorter time to peritonitis independent of co-morbidities and demographic characteristics. This is the finding of a cohort study involving 727 patients from Manitoba. Full article

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Tests used to diagnose dizziness in primary care
July 19, 2010

Although dizziness is a common symptom in primary care, most studies on diagnosing dizziness have been conducted in highly selected groups of patients. There are many diagnostic tests available for assessing dizziness, but Dros and colleagues caution that physicians should be careful not to treat patients on the basis of test results that are inconsistent with the patient’s symptoms. Full article

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Re-expansion pulmonary edema following thoracentesis
July 19, 2010

Shortness of breath developed in a 24-year-old man soon after drainage of an empyema. Although uncommon after drainage of a pneumothorax or pleural effusion, re-expansion pulmonary edema occurs usually within 24 hours after the procedure, says Kasmani and colleagues. Treatment is supportive. Preventive measures include using low negative pressure for suction and limiting the volume of fluid drained. Full article

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