Journal of cardiovascular medicine
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · May 2011
Case ReportsAmiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity mimicking acute pulmonary edema.
Amiodarone is a highly effective antiarrhythmic drug. Its long-term use may, however, lead to several adverse effects, with pulmonary toxicity being the most serious. The article presents the case of a 78-year-old woman with a history of cardiac surgery, who after 2 years of amiodarone therapy for prophylactic treatment of atrial fibrillation developed amiodarone pneumonitis mimicking an acute pulmonary edema. ⋯ Differential diagnosis of different causes of pulmonary infiltrates did not demonstrate any other abnormality. Lung biopsy findings were consistent with the diagnosis of amiodarone pneumonitis. Given the widespread use of amiodarone as an antiarrhythmic agent, pneumologists and cardiologists should consider this important adverse effect as a differential diagnosis of pulmonary distress refractory to therapy in all patients treated with amiodarone who present with respiratory symptoms and pneumonia-like illness.
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Apr 2011
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training in high-school adolescents by distributing personal manikins. The Como-Cuore experience in the area of Como, Italy.
Most witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) do not receive bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The incidence of laypersonsO' CPR could be increased by widespread training. We evaluated the effect of distribution of CPR educational material to high-school students in the area of Como, Italy. ⋯ CPR training can be disseminated using personal manikins distributed to pupils. Most students declared themselves trained and willing to start bystander CPR if necessary. One successful CPR was effectively performed.