Both a low- and a high-dose modified epoetin alfa regimen were effective compared with placebo in reducing allogeneic transfusions in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty. Patients who received high-dose epoetin alfa had the lowest transfusion rate.

Cancer detection rates in women who had a first-degree relative with a history of breast cancer were similar to those in women a decade older without a family history. The sensitivity of screening mammography was primarily influenced by age.

Radiofrequency ablation substantially improves quality of life and reduces costs when it is used to treat highly symptomatic patients with supraventricular tachycardia. Although the benefit of radiofrequency ablation has not been studied in less symptomatic patients, a small improvement in quality of life is sufficient to give preference to this therapy over drug therapy.

Fatal hepatorenal failure may occur after the use of hydrazine sulfate. This fatal complication must be considered in anyone taking or contemplating the use of hydrazine sulfate.

Cardiac toxicity occurs during arsenic trioxide therapy in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Such patients should be monitored for prolonged QT intervals and ventricular arrhythmia.

This paper aims to help clinicians improve the care provided to patients in the intensive care unit when decisions are made to limit life-sustaining treatment.

In this issue, Hainer and colleagues describe a patient who died of hepatic necrosis after taking hydrazine sulfate purchased over the Internet. Although this case will do little to dampen the ardor of hydrazine enthusiasts, there seems little justification for the easy availability of this substance and its unsupervised use.

She was born at home like the first child, but her eyes looked different, slightly glazed. At first, everything seemed normal. But all was not right.

The artwork of Joseph Beuys reminds us as practicing physicians that the patient is always more than a distinct disease classified by the reductionist methods of the natural sciences.

Among the topics addressed in this Update are insomnia, delirium, dementia and feeding tubes, dizziness, and predicting disability in old age.

The authors discuss the current indications for the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death.