Medicina
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Case Reports
[Vertigo and vertical nystagmus associated with intrathecal morphine administration and resolution by naloxone].
Combined regional anesthesia is frequently used as a tool for management of postoperative pain. The profile of side effects of the opioids used via this route is similar to those occurring after systemic administration. The onset of vertigo with vertical nystagmus is an adverse effect rarely described after the use of intrathecal, epidural or intravenous morphine. We report the case of a patient who presented this complication in the postoperative period of a partial nephrectomy, after the administration of intrathecal morphine, with complete resolution by intravenous naloxone.
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Metabolic activity can be down-regulated throughout the reduction of mitochondrial population. Lowering O2 demand in cardiogenic, hemorrhagic and septic shock is here examined through clinical observations and trials. A decrease in the availability of O will be followed by reductions in mitochondrial population and, therefore, in a decrease in O2 demand. ⋯ Decoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation occurs in both experimental models and in clinical septic shock. In critical patients this phenomenon may be detected by an inordinate increase in VO2 in response to a therapeutically increased DO. This hipermetabolic stage can be mistakenly interpreted as the repayment phase of an O2 debt.
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Hyperglycemia is a frequent complication in patients admitted to the hospital, and it is associated with increased morbidity, mortality and length of stay. The mechanisms that cause these complications are not clear, but multiple physiological processes are affected with increased glucose levels. ⋯ In this article we review observational and prospective studies regarding hyperglycemia in the hospital. We also describe options for glucose control, and recommendations for the transition of glucose management to the ambulatory setting.
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We describe characteristics of patients admitted to our intensive care unit with severe acute respiratory illness and influenza-like syndrome during the first months of the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 in Argentina. We analyzed clinical data, severity scores, laboratory tests, microbiological and radiological findings at admission, clinical outcomes and in-hospital mortality. H1N1 was confirmed by RT-PCR. ⋯ There were no differences in analyzed variables when comparing H1N1 positive and H1N1 negative patients; which suggests this approach as a most correct in future epidemic outbreaks. H1N1 infection was associated with severe respiratory illness and ARDS. Fatal outcome was observed in very old patients, or in those with major co-morbidities.
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Delirium usually hardens care during hospitalization and increases morbidity during hospital stay and after discharge. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of delirium in elderly inpatients in a Buenos Aires hospital, its morbidity and mortality during hospital stay and the next 18 month follow-up. Patients aged 70 or older admitted to internal medicine unit between September 2005 and May 2006 were enrolled. ⋯ The difference between survival curves was statistically significant (p = 0.027). Delirium increases morbidity and mortality during hospital stay. Elderly with delirium are at risk of worsening disability and of becoming dependent after discharge and it is a risk factor for higher mortality during the following months after discharge.