International journal of cardiology
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Letter Case Reports
The use of Levosimendan for myocardiopathy due to acute Chagas' disease.
Acute Chagas' disease corresponds to the initial period of a Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Levosimendan is a positive inotropic drug with vasodilatory properties that is indicated for acute heart failure. ⋯ Both developed acute decompensated heart failure refractory to Dobutamine. We describe for the first time in the medical literature the use of Levosimendan for myocarditis due to acute Chagas' disease, with excellent clinical and hemodynamic results.
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Letter Case Reports
Automated continuous chest compression for in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation of patients with pulseless electrical activity: a report of five cases.
Of patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest, those with pulseless electrical activity (PEA) have the worst outcome. Especially in these patients effective chest compressions according to the guidelines may be the key strategy to improve survival. Recently, a novel automatic mechanical chest compression device (LUCAS-CPR) has been shown to ensure effective continuous compressions without interruption during transport, diagnostic procedures and in the catheter laboratory, and may thus significantly improve outcome after resuscitation of in-hospital cardiac arrest. We report here on the first five well documented cases of in-hospital resuscitation of PEA using the LUCAS-CPR compression device.