International journal of cardiology
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Comparative Study
Comparison of fibrinolytic treatment with interruption of the inferior caval vein in the prevention of pulmonary embolism.
The procedure of interruption of the inferior caval vein is designed to prevent pulmonary embolism, but its effectiveness has yet to be compared with thrombolytic therapy. Sixty patients hospitalized for pulmonary embolism and proximal deep vein thrombosis were divided into two groups of 31 and 29 patients, respectively. The patients were selected because of persistent venous thrombosis in the inferior caval, iliac or femoral veins. ⋯ This study demonstrated a high recurrence of pulmonary embolism in patients with persistent venous thrombosis who were treated by interruption of the inferior caval vein. These patients also had a high morbidity. Fibrinolytic treatment (even in the presence of persistent venous thrombosis) appeared to be more effective in avoiding recurrence of pulmonary embolism.
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A patient with thioridazine-induced torsades de pointes ventricular tachycardia treated with magnesium sulphate is presented. Due to incessant recurrence of tachycardias it was possible to observe the time course of the effect of 1 g intravenous doses. ⋯ Magnesium sulphate may have value as first aid therapy for drug-induced torsades de pointes ventricular tachycardia. However, its effect disappears rapidly, and, therefore, should not alone be relied on as prophylactic treatment.