For February we have a solid slate of articles to cover.  Dr. Ryan Eichman will be discussing a recent cohort study on the use of as needed antihypertensives in the treatment of asymptomatic hypertension.  Dr. Ryan Miller will be discussing a systematic review on the utility of D-dimer use in ruling out acute aortic dissection, a practice that has saved my skin (and my patients) more than once.  Finally Dr. Kylie Butler will be discussing another systematic review on the use of pig-tail catheters for the management of hemothorax.  

I believe all the articles are fairly thought provoking and I look forward to the discussion.

Eichman: Canales MT, Yang S, Westanmo A, Wang X, Hadley D, Ishani A, Mohandas R, Shorr R, Lo-Ciganic W. As-Needed Blood Pressure Medication and Adverse Outcomes in VA Hospitals. JAMA Intern Med. 2025 Jan 1;185(1):52-60. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.6213. PMID: 39585709; PMCID: PMC11589853. Summary

Miller: Essat M, Goodacre S, Pandor A, Ren S, Ren S, Clowes M. Diagnostic Accuracy of D-Dimer for Acute Aortic Syndromes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ann Emerg Med. 2024 Oct;84(4):409-421. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2024.05.001. Epub 2024 Jun 18. PMID: 38888529. Summary

Butler: Beeton G, Ngatuvai M, Breeding T, Andrade R, Zagales R, Khan A, Santos R, Elkbuli A. Outcomes of Pigtail Catheter Placement versus Chest Tube Placement in Adult Thoracic Trauma Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Am Surg. 2023 Jun;89(6):2743-2754. doi: 10.1177/00031348231157809. Epub 2023 Feb 20. Erratum in: Am Surg. 2025 Mar;91(3):464-472. doi: 10.1177/00031348241305412. PMID: 36802811. Summary