Ugeskrift for laeger
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Induced hypothermia in comatose patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest improves survival and neurological outcome when the initial rhythm is ventricular fibrillation. Results from 26 patients treated with early prehospital cooling, continued in hospital with cold fluids and body surface cooling, are presented. ⋯ Thirteen of 17 patients treated for ventricular fibrillation had a good cerebral outcome at discharge. Two patients had minor complications resulting from the treatment.
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Jan 2006
Case Reports[Management of patients with myocardial rupture after acute myocardial infarction].
Ventricular free wall rupture resulting in pericardial tamponade and shock is a known complication of myocardial infarction. In recent years, the widespread availability of echocardiographia has enabled prompt diagnosis. ⋯ The presence of pericardial haematoma/fluid, haematoma in the ventricular wall or compression of the ventricles supports this diagnosis. Echocardiographia is an important tool for verifying the diagnosis in this group of patients.
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Jan 2006
Review[Levosimendan--an alternative to conventional inotropic treatment of patients with acute heart failure?].
In acute heart failure the myocardial function is acutely reduced and the oxygenation of the tissues becomes inadequate. Traditional inotropic drugs improve the haemodynamics and give symptomatic relief, but the evidence of injurious effects on morbidity and mortality restricts their use. The need for new inotropic drugs which can also reduce morbidity and mortality is for that reason obvious. Levosimendan is such a new drug in a new class (Ca2+ sensitizers) of positive inotropic drugs with favourable effects compared to existing treatment possibilities.