On Doctoring MEDLINE searches, with reference librarian comments, March 2000

The question was

What is the effectiveness of using Amiodarone post-operatively following CABG?

1    Amiodarone/du,ad,ec,ae,ai,an,me,bl,pd,pk,po,to,ct,tu    results=1422   
[Diagnostic Use, Administration & Dosage, Economics,
Adverse Effects, Antagonists & Inhibitors, Analysis,
Metabolism, Blood, Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics,
Poisoning, Toxicity, Contraindications, Therapeutic Use]
2    Coronary artery bypass/    results=9437   
3    1 and 2    results=16   
4    limit 3 to english language    results=13   
5    from 4 keep 1-2,5,8,10-11,13    results=7   
6    "CORONARY SURGERY".mp.    results=409   
7    1 and 6    results= 0   
8    Thoracic surgery/    results= 1103   
9    1 and 8    results= 0   
10    "HEART SURGERY".mp.    results= 2185   
11    1 and 10    results= 5   
12     5 or 11    results= 12   
13    from 12 keep 1-12    results= 12   

Reference Librarian comments

You've completed the assignment, and showed quite clearly that you're using MEDLINE just fine. You're "limiting" and combining sets, etc. Congratulations. Great job. I'm assuming that set #4 is your best set, and I probably would have stopped there, but further MEDLINE play is a fine idea.