Objective: To compare the short-term effectiveness of ceftriaxone single dose followed by cefixime with a standard treatment of acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis in women.Methods: An open, prospective, and randomised trial of women with acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis was performed. Group A were given a daily intravenous dose of 1 g ceftriaxone; group B: ceftriaxone 1 g intravenous single dose followed by oral cefixime. When urine culture was received, both groups completed a 10 day treatment based in sensitivity studies. Only women with positive initial urine culture were included. After three days of treatment, clinical and bacteriological efficacy was assessed. Clinical response was classified as "cured" if acute symptoms (fever, urinary syndrome and flank pain) were settled. Bacteriological response was classified as: eradication, or no eradication. Results: Of 144 eligible patients, urine culture was positive in 54 of 72 (75%) women in group A and 51 of 72 (71%) in group B. There were no significant differences between groups in resolution of acute symptoms. Clinical cure was observed in 49 of 54 (91%) patients in the group A and in 47 of 51 (92%) patients in the group B (p = 0.68). After three days of treatment urine culture was negative for all patients. No adverse effects were observed in either of the groups. Conclusion: These data suggest that a intravenous single dose of ceftriaxone followed by oral cefixime is both effective and safe for the initial treatment of acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis in women. This regimen could be useful in managing selected patients with pyelonephritis as outpatients.

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy with protease inhibitors in 1996 has changed the morbidity and mortality of acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients. Therefore, the aetiologies and prognostic factors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with life-threatening respiratory failure requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission need to be reassessed.From 1993 to 1998, we prospectively evaluated 57 HIV patients (mean±sem age 36.5±1.3 yrs) admitted to the ICU showing pulmonary infiltrates and acute respiratory failure.A total of 21 and 30 patients were diagnosed as havingPneumocystis cariniiand bacterial pneumonia, respectively, of whom 13 and eight died during their ICU stay (p=0.01). Both groups of patients had similar age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, and severity in respiratory failure. The number of cases with bacterial pneumonia admitted to ICU decreased after 1996 (p=0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that (APACHE) II score >17, serum albumin level <25 g·L−1, and diagnosis ofP. cariniipneumonia were the only factors at entry associated with ICU mortality (p=0.02).Patients with bacterial pneumonia are less frequently admitted to the intensive care unit after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy with protease inhibitors in 1996. Compared to the previous series, it was observed that the fewPneumocystis cariniipneumonia patients that need intensive care still have a bad prognosis.

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CorVue™ showed a low sensitivity to predict HF events. Therefore, routinely activation of this algorithm could generate misleading information.

Background There is a lack of evidence regarding the benefits of β-blocker treatment after invasively managed acute myocardial infarction (MI) without reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods and results TREatment with Beta-blockers after myOcardial infarction withOut reduced ejection fraction (REBOOT) trial is a pragmatic, controlled, prospective, randomized, open-label blinded endpoint (PROBE design) clinical trial testing the benefits of β-blocker maintenance therapy in patients discharged after MI with or without ST-segment elevation. Patients eligible for participation are those managed invasively during index hospitalization (coronary angiography), with LVEF &gt;40%, and no history of heart failure (HF). At discharge, patients will be randomized 1:1 to β-blocker therapy (agent and dose according to treating physician) or no β-blocker therapy. The primary endpoint is a composite of all-cause death, nonfatal reinfarction, or HF hospitalization over a median follow-up period of 2.75 years (minimum 2 years, maximum 3 years). Key secondary endpoints include the incidence of the individual components of the primary composite endpoint, the incidence of cardiac death, and incidence of malignant ventricular arrhythmias or resuscitated cardiac arrest. The primary endpoint will be analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Conclusion The REBOOT trial will provide robust evidence to guide the prescription of β-blockers to patients discharged after MI without reduced LVEF.