D dimer in aortic dissection

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The Thoracic aortic dissection page has been updated with revised information about the utility of D dimer in the diagnosis. Asha, SE, Miers, JW. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of D-dimer as a Rule-out Test for Suspected Acute Aortic Dissection. Annals of Emergency Medicine;66(4):368-78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2015.02.013.

PCR/ESI-MS

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The Nucleic acid amplification techniques page has been updated with additional information about the utility of polymerase chain reaction followed by electrospray ionization- mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS) in the diagnosis of infection. Vincent, JL, Brealey, D, Libert, N, et al. Rapid Diagnosis of Infection in the Critically Ill, a Multicenter Study of Molecular Detection in Bloodstream … Read more

Repeat US features of failed pregnancy

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The Miscarriage page has been updated with information regarding the features of repeat US that are highly predictive of failed pregnancy. Preisler, J, Kopeika, J, Ismail, L, et al. Defining safe criteria to diagnose miscarriage: prospective observational multicentre study. BMJ 2015;351 http://www.bmj.com/bmj/351/bmj.h4579.full.pdf.

Steroids don’t reduce ED representations following allergy

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The role of steroids in not preventing ED re-attendances following allergy has been added to the Anaphylaxis page. Grunau, BE, Wiens, MO, Rowe, BH, et al. Emergency Department Corticosteroid Use for Allergy or Anaphylaxis Is Not Associated With Decreased Relapses. Annals of Emergency Medicine;66(4):381-89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2015.03.003.

NEXUS in older people

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The Cervical spine injuries page has been updated with some additional information about the limitations of the NEXUS rules in patients > 65 years of age. Denver, D, Shetty, A, Unwin, D. Falls and Implementation of NEXUS in the Elderly (The FINE Study). The Journal of Emergency Medicine 2015;49(3):294-300. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0736467915002395.