Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Oct 2003
Comparative StudyPain and stress management in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit--a national survey in Austria.
Neonates are sensitive to pain and vulnerable to both its short-term and long-term effects. Management of analgesia is thought to be hampered by lack of awareness that newborns are capable of experiencing pain and by fears about adverse effects associated with analgesics. The purpose of this study was to assess current medical practice in preventive analgesia and sedation in the neonate throughout Austria. This report details the results of a survey in 28 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Austria. Data collection took place from October to December 2001. All NICUs reported the capability of newborns to experience and express pain and nearly all stated the possibility of pain affecting morbidity. Validated scores for pain assessment were used by 11% of NICUs, standardized protocols for analgesia existed in 75%, and 100% practiced non-pharmacological treatment strategies. The use of preventive measures in routinely performed painful procedures ranged from 8% to 96%. For example, only 8% of NICUs prevent distress and pain prior to umbilical vessel catheterization, 29% prior to subcutaneous injections and 46% prior to heel lancing. Nearly all NICUs apply analgesia before lumbar puncture and thoracic-drain placement, and all use analgesic and/or sedative medication in elective intubation. ⋯ There is widespread awareness among neonatologists of the importance and effects of distress caused by pain in newborns. However, the necessity of providing sufficient analgesia is underestimated. Further information on the safety of analgesic drugs in neonatology is imperative.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Oct 2003
Comparative Study[First aid measures by bystanders at the place of accident. A prospective, epidemiologic study in the Vienna area].
The object of this prospective, epidemiological study was to determine whether bystanders provided necessary first aid measures in the prehospital trauma setting, whether they performed these measures correctly, and whether the level of first aid training affected the quality of first aid measures performed. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire, which was filled out between March and July 2000 for all cases attended to by the Vienna Ambulance Service. A total of 2812 cases were documented. ⋯ The vast majority of bystanders had no training in first aid or had only attended the first aid course required to attain a driving license. We found a clear relationship between the level of first aid training and the quality of first aid measures provided. It would be advisable to offer an increased amount of refresher courses in first aid to improve bystander trauma care.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Oct 2003
Comparative StudyWomen's position during labour: influence on maternal and neonatal outcome.
To assess the maternal, perineal and neonatal outcomes of an upright position compared with a supine position during vaginal delivery, in terms of defined outcome variables. ⋯ The data indicate that labouring and delivering in an upright position is associated with beneficial effects such as a lower rate of episiotomy, and a reduced use of medical analgesia and oxytocin. In our opinion, the best recommendation is to give low-risk maternity patients the option of bearing in the mode that is most comfortable for them.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Sep 2003
Case ReportsPosttraumatic splenic artery aneurysm presenting as occult gastrointestinal bleeding.
A 53-year-old man presented with a 19-month history of gastrointestinal bleeding. Repeated endoscopic investigation of the upper and lower intestine showed no source of bleeding. When the patient collapsed due to massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage he was referred to our center. ⋯ Arteriography of the celiac trunk confirmed the SAA diagnosis; the SAA was subsequently occluded by coils. So far, four months after discharge, the patient is in excellent health and no further episode of gastrointestinal bleeding has occurred. SAA is a very rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, but it must be considered when no other common bleeding source can be detected.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Sep 2003
Case Reports Comparative StudyRecurrent calcinosis in consecutively transplanted kidney grafts.
Repeated renal transplant calcinosis is a rare event. We report a young woman in whom repeated calcinosis was observed in two consecutive renal transplants. Persistent secondary hyperparathyoidism and hyperphosphatemia due to impaired renal function were assumed as the pathogenic factors for calcinosis. Sub-total parathyroidectomy performed shortly after the third transplantation and good function of the renal graft have prevented calcinosis in the third graft for more than five years.