In this episode, I’ll discuss an article about starting DOACs early vs late in ischemic stroke patients with AFib. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Patients with acute ischemic stroke are at risk of conversion to hemorrhagic stroke for a period of time after the initial event. For this reason, patients with a recent stroke […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss an article about aggressive vs moderate fluid resuscitation in acute pancreatitis. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher There has been a trend in research published over the last several years towards demonstrating that aggressive fluid resuscitation in septic patients without consideration to other factors is not necessarily associated with the […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss why the CAP guidelines do not recommend treating most cases of suspected aspiration pneumonia with broadening antibiotic therapy. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Broadening therapy in community-acquired pneumonia to cover potential anaerobes in the case of suspected aspiration pneumonia is a common occurrence. This results in the use of […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss how the use of drug-specific factor Xa inhibitor levels can reduce major bleeding. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Factor Xa inhibitors such as rivaroxaban and apixaban gained popularity over warfarin in part because of the lack of monitoring needed to provide reliable therapeutic anticoagulation. Because routine monitoring is not […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss the 4 clinical teaching roles for residency preceptors. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher The 4 teaching roles that ASHP wants PGY-1 residency preceptors to use are: 1. Instructing 2. Modeling 3. Coaching 4. Facilitating ASHP expects that PGY-1 residency preceptors have a working knowledge of these roles. During a […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss whether milrinone can be used in patients on CRRT. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Occasionally ICU patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) will also require inotropic support for conditions like heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in the setting of decreased cardiac contractility. Dobutamine and milrinone are the […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss peripheral IV administration of 3% sodium chloride solution. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Infusions of 3% sodium chloride are routinely recommended to be given through central, not peripheral IV lines. This recommendation is based on the theory that since the osmolarity of 3% sodium chloride exceeds 900 mOsm/L, it […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss whether adding acetazolamide to loop diuretics improves the chance of successful decongestion in ADHF. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Monotherapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors in acute decompensated heart failure has not been studied in decades since the advent of loop diuretics supplanted carbonic anhydrase inhibitors as first-line treatment. Since […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss how to become a peer reviewer for a medical journal. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher One common reason for a pharmacist to wish to become a peer reviewer for a journal is to satisfy ASHP standards for preceptors in the area of ongoing professionalism. Additionally, being a peer reviewer […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss a tip to predict pharmacotherapy needs in rapid response or emergent situations. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher At the beginning of any rapid response or emergent procedure such as rapid sequence intubation, make a note of your patient’s starting heart rate, rhythm, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure. Any significant […]