Ugeskrift for laeger
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Nov 2008
[Basic resuscitation of adults and automatic external defibrillation].
The new ERC guidelines on resuscitation emphasize the importance of quality CPR. BLS should be started as early as possible. Lay rescuers should not check for a pulse, they should call for help and start chest compressions immediately. ⋯ Lay rescuers may use the same procedure for children as recommended for adults. Professionals should, however, initiate CPR in children with 5 ventilations followed by a compression-ventilation ratio of 15:2. Automatic External Defibrillation should be used as early as possible.
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Bupropion is an antidepressant, which in Denmark is only used as an aid for smoking cessation. The toxicological side-effects include insomnia, gastrointestinal symptoms, tachycardia and seizures. A case of intentional overdose in a fourteen-year-old boy is presented. He developed hallucinations and tachycardia after ingesting only 1500 mg of bupropion, but recovered without sequelae.
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Clonidine is an alpha2-adrenergic agonist with analgetic properties. Due to its side-effects, the drug is administered via the epidural or spinal route. A literature search yielded nine controlled studies on clonidine as a supplemental drug in the epidural or spinal treatment of cancer pain. These studies were systematically reviewed to evaluate the evidence of efficacy in patients with cancer pain. ⋯ Despite weak evidence, clonidine may be a useful adjunct in epidural or spinal morphine therapy of cancer pain.
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The aim of this retrospective study was to quantify and characterize contacts to the acute emergency department due to fall accidents among elderly aged 65 years and above at H:S Hvidovre hospital in Copenhagen during a three-month period. Data on demographics, injuries and admission rates were collected along with follow-up data during the six months after the index contact. ⋯ The results document the frailty of a considerable proportion of the elderly who contact the acute emergency department because of a fall. About half of the elderly returning home directly from hospital have no planned follow-up. A more structured assessment and collaboration between hospital and primary health care is needed in order to prevent further falls among the elderly.
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Lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) is among the most common malignant lymphomas of the ocular adnexa and it furthermore shows an increasing incidence. The disease is most often localized and indolent of nature; gentle treatment is therefore of essence to avoid complications, especially visual impairment. MALT lymphoma can be treated with radiotherapy (RT), but in case of relapse, alternatives are required. New treatment modalities such as anti-cluster of differentiation (CD)-20 monoclonal antibodies (rituximab) and local injection of interferon-alpha have shown promising results. ⋯ RT is effective in treatment of MALT lymphomas of the ocular adnexa. Rituximab showed an excellent result in one patient with recurrent disease. However, latent infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) should be considered before rituximab is administered.