Table of Contents

VOL 111 / NO 3 / MARCH 2002 / POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE

SYMPOSIUM ON CRITICAL CARE

EDITOR'S NOTE
Those critical first minutes
Concluding 2 articles of 4-article symposium begun in February
Peter A. Setness, MD, with Mary Van Beusekom

EARLY INTERVENTION IN MASSIVE PULMONARY EMBOLISM
A guide to diagnosis and triage for the critical first hour
Patients with pulmonary embolism require quick assessment for potential thrombolytic indications, which need to be carefully weighed against possible contraindications.
James R. Gossage, MD

OPTIMAL MANAGEMENT OF SEPTIC SHOCK
Rapid recognition and institution of therapy are crucial
This condition, already the most common cause of death in US intensive care units, is expected to become even more common in the future.
Stephen J. Fitch, MD, James R. Gossage, MD

CLINICAL UPDATES

WHEN TO SUSPECT OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME
Symptoms may be subtle, but treatment is straightforward
Untreated, this condition can have serious consequences. Fortunately, appropriate therapy is highly effective.
Hrayr P. Attarian, MD, Alain N. Sabri, MD

TYPE 2 DIABETES THERAPY
A pathophysiologically based approach
Certain features of stress fractures can help discern between fractures that The availability of five classes of medications has made management more complex. This review explores how to match the drug to the patient on the basis of disease pathogenesis.
Adam B. Mayerson, MD, Silvio E. Inzucchi, MD

WEB EXCLUSIVES

DISSEMINATED INTRAVASCULAR COAGULATION
A primer for primary care physicians
Diagnosis of this potentially life-threatening coagulation disorder can be confusing unless physicians are aware of when it might occur. Drs Messmore and Wehrmacher give a brief overview of the disease, highlight its causes, and explain options for its managment.
Harry L. Messmore Jr, MD, William H. Wehrmacher, MD

DIGITAL DOC
Polishing your presentations
New programs can help you spruce up your information.
Bryon P. Bergeron, MD

CONTINUING FEATURES

GUEST EDITORIAL
Quality improvement in end-of-life care
Small-scale innovations can make a dramatic difference
Janice Blanchard, MD, MPH, Elizabeth McCann, BA, Joanne Lynn, MD

CURBSIDE CONSULTS
Multiple medical problems: Which to treat first?

PULMONARY DIAGNOSTIC QUIZ
Progressive wheeze, dry cough: What lies beneath?
Kristina Kramer, MD, Aidan O'Brien, MD

PRACTICE PEARLS
Prepare children for ear exams
Outstretched arms equal height
Clues to acute mesenteric embolism

PATIENT NOTES
Transient ischemic attacks

READER SERVICES

Editorial Board, Staff

CME Credit Quiz
This test has expired, but additional CME credit available at http://www.postgradmed.com/cme.shtml

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