Ugeskrift for laeger
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Mar 2007
Review[Do-not-resuscitate orders--ethical and legal considerations].
The article is based on a structured literature review. Practicing DNR orders in Denmark has not yet been described and there are no national guidelines. Generally patients must give informed consent before do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders. ⋯ Doctors rarely contact the Danish Living Will Registry. Patients with do-not-resuscitate orders may be subject to other therapeutic reductions. In conclusion, patient autonomy should also be respected in the case of do-not-resuscitate orders.
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Mar 2007
Review[Stress induced "Takotsubo" cardiomyopathy: you can die from a broken heart!].
Stress induced "Takotsubo" cardiomyopathy is a recently described cardiovascular syndrome mimicking acute myocardial infarction and characterised by reversible left ventricular dysfunction with apical ballooning in patients without coronary artery disease. It usually affects elderly women and is preceded by emotional or physical stress. With early diagnosis and aggressive therapy, the prognosis is favourable. The syndrome is probably underdiagnosed, and the pathophysiology may involve coronary vascular dysfunction, excessive sympathetic stimulation and left ventricular outflow obstruction.
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Mar 2007
["Do not resuscitate" orders in Danish medical wards. A questionnaire].
Do not resuscitate (DNR) orders should prevent pointless life-prolonging procedures. Practicing DNR orders in Denmark is not described and there are no national guidelines. The purpose of this study is to clarify how DNR orders, patient autonomy, and living wills are handled in a Danish medical ward. ⋯ Patients should be asked more often prior to DNR decisions. Health workers should contact The Danish Living Will Registry more frequently. As a decision aid and in order to strengthen both health workers' and patients' legal rights, a national guideline on DNR ordering could be established.
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The postoperative course following colorectal surgery has improved since the introduction of "fast track surgery", and laparoscopic surgery will probably optimize the results further. The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in Denmark. ⋯ It is not appropriate that so many departments have started using this advanced laparoscopic procedure, due to the high learning curve, cost considerations and need for international consensus. It is proposed that the treatment be coordinated nationwide in order to optimise research and clinical results.