The New England journal of medicine
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The incidence of acute coronary-artery occlusion among patients with sudden cardiac arrest outside of the hospital is unknown, and the role of reperfusion therapy has not been determined. We therefore performed immediate coronary angiography and angioplasty when indicated in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. ⋯ Acute coronary-artery occlusion is frequent in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and is predicted poorly by clinical and electrocardiographic findings. Accurate diagnosis by immediate coronary angiography can be followed in suitable candidates by coronary angioplasty, which seems to improve survival.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Epidural corticosteroid injections for sciatica due to herniated nucleus pulposus.
Although epidural corticosteroid injections are commonly used for sciatica, their efficacy has not been established. ⋯ Although epidural injections of methylprednisolone may afford short-term improvement in leg pain and sensory deficits in patients with sciatica due to a herniated nucleus pulposus, this treatment offers no significant functional benefit, nor does it reduce the need for surgery.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Interference with cardiac pacemakers by cellular telephones.
A growing body of evidence suggests that electromagnetic interference may occur between cardiac pacemakers and wireless hand-held (cellular) telephones, posing a potential public health problem. Electromagnetic interference may occur when the pacemaker is exposed to an electromagnetic field generated by the cellular telephone. ⋯ Cellular telephones can interfere with the function of implanted cardiac pacemakers. However, when telephones are placed over the ear, the normal position, this interference does not pose a health risk.