Last Week in Medicine
Episodes
Catheter Directed Fibrinolysis for Acute PE (HI-PEITHO), NEWS2 Plus Procalcitonin Reduces Mortality (PRONTO)
07 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Extra, extra, read all about it! We have two "NEWS" studies to talk about in this episode (bad pun). Does catheter directed thrombolysis i...
Bleeding Risk with Apixaban vs Rivaroxaban for Acute VTE (COBRRA), Left Atrial Appendage Closure vs Medical Management for AF (CLOSURE-AF)
28 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We are back with a landmark trial -- COBRRA was finally published! Apixaban wins again, but is rivaroxaban done for good?? Also, is left atrial appen...
2026 ACC/AHA Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The ACC/AHA published new guidelines for managing acute PE on February 19, 2026. Today I'm joined by Dr. Scott Woller, MD, MACP, FCCP, who was co...
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Gene Therapy for Cystinosis
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I'm joined by senior author Dr. Stephanie Cherqui to talk about her recent publication in the New England Journal of Medicine on ...
Extended Apixaban for Provoked VTE (HI-PRO), Coffee and Atrial Fibrillation (DECAF), Age-Adjusted D-dimer for DVT, Beta Blockers after MI with Normal EF, Fish Oil for Dialysis (PISCES), Conservative Dialysis for AKI (LIBERATE-D)
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Our last episode was in June 2025, but we're back with some important articles from the last 7 months. We try to answer the following questions:S...
Semaglutide for CVD in Diabetes, PAD, and MASH, Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide, Normal Saline vs Lactated Ringer's, Oxygen Targets for Intubated Patients, Platelet Transfusion Guidelines, Apixaban vs Rivaroxaban
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we do a round-up of some of the recent semaglutide trials. Does semaglutide ever miss? But what about tirzepatide, which causes even more weight...
Hydrocortisone for Severe Pneumonia (REMAP-CAP), Intensive BP Control in Diabetes (BPROAD), Aldosterone Synthase Inhibitors for Hypertension (ADVANCE-HTN), Reduced-dose Apixaban for Cancer Associated Thrombosis (API-CAT)
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when most trials suggest benefit for an intervention, but then a new trial suggests harm? We thought steroids in pneumonia was a settle...
Half Dose DOAC for Long Term VTE Prevention, Biomarker Guided Antibiotics for Sepsis, GPT-4 Assistance for Physicians, Optimal Vasopressin Initiation for Shock, DOAC vs No AC for A fib After Intracerebral Hemorrhage, HFNC vs NIV for Respiratory Failure
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For this episode we are joined by EBM guru, Dr. Brian Locke, who deftly breaks down all of our statistics questions. Is half dose DOAC as good as ful...
7 vs 14 Days of Antibiotics for Bacteremia, Factor XI Inhibition for Atrial Fibrillation, ACEi or ARB Before Elective Surgery, GLP-1 Agonist for HFpEF and Obesity
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're back, after a brief hiatus! Today we talk about duration of therapy for bacteremia, Factor XI inhibition for atrial fibrillation, whether ...
Anticoagulation in AF with Cirrhosis, Trends in Anticoagulation for Acute PE, Beta Blockers for Acute MI with Normal EF, Finerenone for HFpEF, Continuous vs Intermittent Infusion for Antibiotics, Cefepime vs Piperacillin-Tazobactam for Sepsis
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's been a long time, but we are back!Apologies on the audio quality from Dr. Jenkins. Apparently he was recording from inside a cardboard box.T...
Metformin and Long COVID, Central Lines and Thrombocytopenia, DOACs vs LMWH in Cancer Associated Thrombosis, Early vs Late Anticoagulation after Stroke with Atrial Fibrillation
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by Dr. Brian Locke, recently graduated pulmonary-critical care fellow, who takes us on a journey of avoiding statistical fallacies...
Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome and Hyponatremia with Dr. Joel Topf, Apixaban vs Warfarin for On-X Aortic Valve, Perioperative Blood Pressure Strategies, Diagnostic Accuracy of CT Abdomen Without Contrast
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have a special guest, Dr. Joel Topf, board-certified nephrologist and medical educator extraordinaire. Our listeners will likely recognize Dr...
Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for STIs (DoxyPEP), High Dose Prophylactic Anticoagulation for COVID-19 (ANTICOVID), Rates of Fracture Non-union and Bisphosphonates
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week we have special guest, Dr. Adam Spivak, to talk about the new study on doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis for STIs. Dr. Spivak is an infe...
Thiazides for Kidney Stones, Hydrocortisone for Severe Pneumonia (CAPE COD), 2023 GOLD COPD Guidelines, Real World Use of Oral Antibiotics for Infective Endocarditis
25 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have special guest, Dr. Sarah Gilligan, a nephrologist, to talk about the new study of thiazides for kidney stones. We all learn in medical s...
Antibiotic Duration for Febrile UTI in Males, Lower GI Bleeding Guidelines, Intravenous Contrast in Patients with Acute Kidney Injury
25 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we welcome special guest and fellow EBM lover Dr. Mita Hoppenfeld to talk about a new randomized controlled trial evaluating the best duration o...
Early Vasopressors and Restrictive Fluids in Septic Shock (CLOVERS), Furosemide vs Torsemide in Heart Failure (TRANSFORM-HF), Aspirin vs Enoxaparin after Extremity Fracture (PREVENT CLOT), Haloperidol for ICU Delirium (AID-ICU)
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We're back with Season 4! Sorry for the unplanned hiatus. Today we talk about the CLOVERS trial, which tested the hypothesis that early vasopress...
SGLT2 Inhibitors for Acute Heart Failure, SGLT2 Inhibitors vs Metformin, High Dose Dexamethasone for COVID-19 in ICU, Isolated Distal DVT, Monkeypox, Blood Donor Sex and Mortality, Outcomes in Surgeons Who Operate the Night Before
22 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have a couple special guests under the age of 2. Birdie and Gus! Do SGLT2 inhibitors improve diuresis in acute heart failure? Are they better...
Restrictive Fluids in Septic Shock, Short vs Standard Antibiotics in Neutropenic Fever, IV Vitamin C for Septic Shock, Hospitalist Workload and Patient LOS, Fluid Bolus for Intubation, General Internist Practice Choices
24 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by Dr. Brian Locke to talk about multiple new critical care trials, including the CLASSIC trial of a restrictive vs standard fluid...
Inpatient Management of Opioid Use Disorder, Hep C Treatment in IVDU, Final SOLIDARITY Results for Remdesivir, TAVI for Moderate Risk Severe AS, Mediterranean Diet vs Low Fat Diet, Steroids for IgA Nephropathy, GLP-1s and Gallbladder Disease
25 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today we had Dr. Patricia Liu to talk about a new study from Journal of Hospital Medicine on the management of opioid use disorder in the hospital. An...
2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Heart Failure Guidelines with Dr. James Fang, Guideline Committee Member
04 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Dr. James Fang, Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Utah, and AHA/ACC/HFSA Heart Failure Guideline Committee Member, joins us...
Oral Carbapenem for Complicated UTIs, Awake Proning for COVID-19, 1-2 Months DAPT vs 12 Months DAPT, Low Sodium Diet for Heart Failure, Excess Mortality From COVID-19, IV Iron and Anaphylaxis, Pickle Juice for Cramps in Cirrhosis
23 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Brian Locke is back to talk about that "nonrandomized" proning trial. We also talk about the new oral carbapenem for UTI trial, whethe...
Reliever-Triggered ICS Therapy for Asthma, Methenamine for UTI Prevention, CT vs Invasive Coronary Angiography, Melatonin for Delirium Prevention, Interpretation of Home COVID Tests, Characteristics of Type 2 MI
22 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have Dr. Brian Locke back on to talk about asthma management and a new trial of reliever-triggered inhaled glucocorticoids for Black and La...
Paxlovid for COVID-19, Ivermectin Ineffective for COVID-19, One Year Outcomes for ICU COVID-19 Patients, Diagnostic Strategies for Ruling Out PE, Thiamine for Alcohol Use Disorder, Skin Color and Pulse Oximetry
25 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We finally have the published trial results for Paxlovid! We also look at the latest trial showing the ivermectin is ineffective in treating COVID-19 ...
Balanced Crystalloid vs Normal Saline (PLUS trial), Midline vs PICC, LOLA for Hepatic Encephalopathy, Eat-Walk-Engage Program for Older Inpatients, Post-Discharge Thromboprophylaxis for COVID-19, Mindfulness Training and Burnout
28 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by Dr. Brian Locke to talk about the newest big trial on IV fluids in critically ill patients and a meta-analysis that looks at al...
Ultrasound JVP to Estimate CVP, IV Metoprolol vs Diltiazem for Atrial Fibrillation with RVR, Ischemic Stroke and Bleeding Risk with Apixaban vs Rivaroxaban, Reducing Sleep Interruptions in Hospital, Outpatient Remdesivir, Molnupiravir for COVID-19
31 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's our last episode in 2021! This episode we have Dr. Libo Wang and Dr. Jon Harrison on to talk about their new paper in the Annals of Internal...
Chlorthalidone in CKD, Factor XI Inhibition for VTE Prevention, Untreated Subsegmental PE and Risk of Recurrent VTE, Rivaroxaban and GI Bleeding, Mental Stress Induced Ischemia, Depression and Residency, Patient Outcomes for Part Time Hospitalists
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Somehow we got through 7 articles today, and none of them are about COVID-19! Happy Thanksgiving! Chlorthalidone in CKDMilvexian for VTE PreventionRis...
Race and Estimated GFR, Bleeding Risk in Oral Anticoagulation after First VTE, HEP-COVID trial, High Dose Dexamethasone for COVID-19
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we talk about the effect of eliminating the race coefficient from the estimated GFR calculators, the risk of bleeding from anticoagulation after...
Empagliflozin for HFpEF, Antibiotic Duration for UTIs in Men, Targeted Temperature after Cardiac Arrest, Normal Saline vs Balanced Solution in ICU Patients, Baricitinib and Therapeutic Anticoagulation for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We're back after a nice relaxing summer taking care of a surge of COVID-19 patients. To start off season 3 we decided to do a rapid review of s...
Antibiotic Duration for Prosthetic Joint Infections, Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines, Hospital Observation after ACS Ruled Out in ED, Morning Discharges, Personalized Steroid Regimen for COPD Exacerbation
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today is our season 2 finale, and we have a master class on prosthetic joint infections from Dr. Laura Certain. Is 6 weeks as good as 12 weeks for p...
Antibiotic Delay Intervals and Hospital Mortality for Patients with Suspected Sepsis, Guidelines for High Flow Nasal Oxygen and Point of Care Ultrasound for Acute Dyspnea, Screening for Atrial Fibrillation in Older Patients
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How long can you delay antibiotics in patients with suspected sepsis before the risk of hospital mortality increases? What proportion of patients wi...
Hospital at Home for Geriatric Patients, RAAS Inhibition and Pulmonary Hypertension, Vaccine Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT)
28 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have special guest Dr. Natalie Como to talk about Hospital at Home and what it's like to practice hospital medicine at a rural critical ...
Three Days of Antibiotics for Pneumonia, IV Contrast and Kidney Function, DOACs for Valvular Atrial Fibrillation
08 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by heavy hitter Dr. Brian Locke to talk about the new paper on 3 vs 8 days of antibiotics for pneumonia, a clever new paper lookin...
Weekly Semaglutide for Weight Loss (STEP 1, 2 and 3 Trials), 4PEPS Rule for Pulmonary Embolism, Nafcillin vs Cefazolin for Epidural Abscess, Ferritin/Procalcitonin Ratio for COVID19, Intermediate Thromboprophylaxis for COVID19
24 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are doing double duty: podcasting and parenting. Fortunately our babies were well-behaved. We talk about three trials for semaglutide and...
Albumin Infusion for Decompensated Cirrhosis (ATTIRE trial), Terlipressin for Type 1 Hepatorenal Syndrome (CONFIRM trial)
11 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today has a nice liver disease theme. Does targeting a serum albumin above 3 g/dL reduce death, infections and kidney failure in patients with decom...
IL-6 Receptor Antagonists Reduce Mortality in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients (REMAP-CAP, RECOVERY), Convalescent Plasma Fails to Improve Mortality
04 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today I am joined by Infectious Disease expert Dr. Emily Spivak to talk about the latest batch of tocilizumab trials for COVID-19 and a meta-analysis ...
Gender-Based Discrimination and Harassment Among Hospitalists, Educational Resource Utilization in Internal Medicine Residents, Transfusion Thresholds for ACS, DOACs for VTE prevention in CKD
18 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have special guests Dr. Emily Signor and Dr. Amanda Breviu, two hospitalists, to talk about a survey published in JHM on gender-based discrim...
Early Ablation vs Medications for Atrial Fibrillation (STOP-AF First, EARLY-AF), ACEi and ARBs in COVID-19, IV vs Oral Antibiotics for Appendicitis, Rifaximin after TIPS, Low vs High Oxygen Targets
04 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have a special guest, Dr. Jared Bunch, an international expert in atrial fibrillation and ablation, to talk about the state of atrial fibrill...
Inhaled Treprostinil for Pulmonary Hypertension due to Interstitial Lung Disease, Omecamtiv Mecarbil for Systolic Heart Failure (HFrEF)
20 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today I am joined by pulmonary hypertension and heart failure expert, Dr. John Ryan, to talk about inhaled treprostinil for pulmonary hypertension due...
Prevalence of Pulmonary Embolism in Acute COPD Exacerbation, Tocilizumab for COVID-19 Round 3
14 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
WARNING: This episode is long on banter. If you would like to skip the intro conversation and get right to the articles, skip ahead to 12:13. Toda...
Treatment of Inpatient Hypertension, Testing and Treatment of Primary Aldosteronism in Patients with Resistant Hypertension, Tocilizumab for COVID-19 Round 2
07 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The president's supporters may have stormed the capitol and attempted a coup today, but the show must go on. Today I'm joined by Dr. Dani ...
Thrombosis and COVID-19
30 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today I do a quick review of the COVID-19 thrombosis literature from the last year to try to answer some of the following questions: Why does COVID-19...
Inappropriate Testing and Treating of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria, Baricitinib Plus Remdesivir for COVID-19 (ACTT-2), COVID-19 Vaccine, Noninvasive Respiratory Protocol for COVID-19, Iron Supplementation in Acute Heart Failure
16 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have special guest Dr. Valerie Vaughn to talk about her new paper in Open Forum Infectious Diseases about inappropriate treatment and testing...
Patient Outcomes in Resident, APC and Solo Hospitalist Teams, Rapid Conversion to Oral Antibiotics in Pneumonia, SOLIDARITY trial for COVID-19
10 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have special guests Dr. Claire Ciarkowski and Dr. Stacy Johnson to talk about two recent papers they published, as well as the new SOLIDARITY...
Danish Mask Study, Rivaroxaban for Atrial Fibrillation and Bioprosthetic Mitral Valve, Convalescent Plasma Fails, Semaglutide in NASH, Once Weekly Insulin, Statin Nocebo Effect
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're back with our second episode of the new season. Dr. Rupp is sporting a new mustache, and we discuss the mysterious monolith discovered in...
Remdesivir Redux, Tocilizumab Fails, Bamlanivimab gets EUA and mRNA Vaccines for COVID-19
19 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're back after a prolonged hiatus, ready to break down the latest and greatest in the medical literature. Today's episode will get you c...
Caring for COVID-19 Patients in the Navajo Nation
16 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by a special guest, Dr. Lawanda Jim, chief of internal medicine at Northern Navajo Medical Center, to talk about what it's be...
Dexamethasone Reduces Mortality in COVID-19: The RECOVERY Trial
10 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we're back with a spirited discussion of a pre-print publication for the dexamethasone arm of the RECOVERY trial. Should hospitalized COV...
Remdesivir Shortens Time to Recovery in COVID19 (ACTT-1), CRP-Guided Antibiotics for Gram Negative Bacteremia, NT-pro-BNP in Syncope
05 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're back with another episode. We cover the latest highlights in COVID, including the exciting new results on remdesivir from the ACTT-1 tria...
Triple Antiviral Therapy for COVID-19, Remdesivir for Severe COVID-19, Convalescent Plasma, Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin in New York
20 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're back with some of the latest updates on COVID-19! Are hydroxychloroquine or azithromycin associated with increased risk of mortality or c...
COVID-19 in New York City, Lopinavir-Ritonavir in Severe COVID-19, The French Hydroxychloroquine Study, Chinese Hydroxychloroquine RCT, VA Hydroxychloroquine Study, Compassionate Use of Remdesivir
30 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's been a while! We took a short hiatus while our lives were upended by the pandemic. But we couldn't stay away forever. Today we re...
COVID-19 Update, Gabapentin for Alcohol Use Disorder, Apixaban versus Rivaroxaban for Atrial Fibrillation
18 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Seems like a lot has happened in just one week! The whole world is different. Today we talk about some of the most recent articles published about t...
Long Acting Injectable Therapy for HIV and Pregnenolone for Chronic Low Back Pain
10 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Austin finally returns to the podcast with harrowing tales of almost being eaten by a wolf. Today we discuss a new NEJM paper about long acting inje...
COVID-19, PPI Use and MDRO Colonization, Hospitalist Care of ED Boarders
04 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we had Dr. Dani Babbel back on the show to talk about the latest COVID-19 updates, whether gastric acid suppression increases your risk of MDRO ...
Empirical Anti-MRSA vs Standard Antibiotic Therapy in Pneumonia, High Consulting Hospitalists, Medicare for All
25 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we had the pleasure of talking to Dr. Barbara Jones, first author on a new paper in JAMA IM about the outcomes in veterans treated with empirica...
Plasma Exchange and Glucocorticoids for ANCA-Vasculitis and Dexamethasone for ARDS, aka the PLEX and DEX episode
19 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have the venerable EBM guru Dr. Brian Locke on the show to talk PLEX and DEX. Does plasma exchange for ANCA-vasculitis really work? Do st...
Aspirin for VTE Prophylaxis after THA or TKA, Fluid Management for Sepsis in Patients with ESRD, Cirrhosis and CHF
11 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by the man, the myth, and the legend, Dr. Stacy Johnson, to talk about a new meta-analysis of using aspirin for DVT prophylaxis af...
CT Screening for Lung Cancer, Conservative vs Interventional Treatment for Spontaneous Pneumothorax
04 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by the very smart Dr. Jason Carr, a pulmonary/critical care fellow, to talk about two big papers from the wonderful world of lungs...
Novel Coronavirus, High Sensitivity Troponins, Hydroxyethyl Starch for Abdominal Surgery and Testosterone Therapy in Men
28 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's our tenth episode! Thanks for getting us this far. Today we discuss the new coronavirus outbreak, what to do with high sensitivity tropo...
Factor XIa Inhibition for VTE Prophylaxis, Physician Time Using EHR in Outpatient Encounters, Vitamin C and Thiamine for Septic Shock
22 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by the wonderful Dr. Emily Signor to talk about new therapeutic approaches to DVT prophylaxis, how much time physicians spend usin...
Health Care Hotspotting, Valve Replacement in Asymptomatic Very Severe Aortic Stenosis, Free Medications and Treatment Adherence
14 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we try something a little different -- three co-hosts! Dr. Dani Babbel joins Jenkins and Rupp for some lively discussion about hotspotting, ve...
Hospital Care at Home, Adverse Events in “Social" Admissions, NT-ProBNP Before Non-Cardiac Surgery, Alcohol Abstinence in Drinkers with Atrial Fibrillation
07 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year and welcome to the first episode of 2020! We've got some great articles to review today. Can we save money by taking care of s...
Gadolinium in CKD Stage 4 and 5, Metoprolol and COPD Exacerbations, Vitamin D in Critically Ill Patients, Politics and Mood in Young Physicians
17 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Rupp is back! Today we talk about whether it's safe to give group 2 gadolinium based contrast agents to patients with CKD stage 4 and 5 and w...
Upper GI Bleeding Guidelines, E-cigarette and Vaping Associated Lung Injury, Beta Blockers and HFpEF Exacerbations
10 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week we have a special guest host, Dr. Dani Babbel. We talk about the new guidelines on upper GI bleeding, a new study on E-VALI, and the possi...
D-dimer Adjusted for Clinical Probability of PE, Work Schedules of Hospitalists, Inappropriate Fluoroquinolone Prescribing, Utilization and Outcomes of Lytics in Acute PE
02 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Can you get away with a higher d-dimer value in patients with a low pre-test probability for PE? Does working more days in a row improve patient out...
Vitamin D in Diabetic Kidney Disease and SGLT-2 Inhibitors for Heart Failure Reduced Ejection Fraction
26 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we talk about the effects of vitamin D in progression of CKD in people with diabetes, and whether SGLT-2 inhibitors like dapagliflozin can be us...
The Apple Heart Study, Colchicine after MI
19 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Lots of cardiology to discuss this week with the Apple Heart and COLCOT studies, both published in the New England Journal of Medicine. We also talk...
Intensifying Blood Pressure Therapy in the Hospital, Asymptomatic Bacteriuria, DRIP score in Pneumonia
12 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Should we add blood pressure medications or increase the dose while patients are in the hospital? What are the risk factors and outcomes for people ...