Der Anaesthesist
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[Initial defibrillation by emergency physicians or by first aid assistants? A prospective, comparative multicenter study in outpatients with ventricular fibrillation].
In a controlled prospective randomized study, defibrillation by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) was compared with the current standard of care in Germany (basic life support by EMTs and defibrillation by emergency physicians only) in order to answer the following questions: 1. Does EMT defibrillation improve the survival rate and long-term prognosis of patients in ventricular fibrillation as compared to the current German standards in resuscitation (basic life support by EMTs and defibrillation by emergency physicians)? 2. Are the prerequisites for the use of semiautomatic defibrillators fulfilled in the emergency medical systems (EMS) of the participating centers? METHODS. ⋯ Neither the initial survival rate the number of patients discharged alive, nor the neurological long-term prognosis was significantly different for any of the groups investigated. Because of apparent differences in indirect prognostic parameters (time interval until ROSC, number of patients requiring no epinephrine) and because of the fact that the time interval to the first defibrillation was reduced by EMT defibrillation, EMT-Ds may perform defibrillation if: (a) they reach the patient before the emergency physician and (b) if they are trained intensively and supervised continuously. In order to increase the efficiency of defibrillation by EMT-Ds, far-reaching changes in our EMS are mandatory: (a) a reduction in the time interval from collapse until initiation of BCLS measures by intensifying layperson CPR training; (b) an increase in the number of emergency units equipped with semiautomatic defibril
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The primary goals of scoring in emergency medicine are grading of the severity of the patient's condition, measurement of diagnostic and therapeutic efforts, forecasting the outcome, and support in decision making on triage and therapy. Scores can also be used as tools for measuring efficacy and controlling quality. There has been less experience with use of scoring systems to estimate quality of life. ⋯ Scores for use in emergency medicine should be based on physiological parameters, universally applicable and suitable for use throughout the course of diseases. Appropriate score systems are the Glasgow Coma Scale, the Rapid Acute Physiology Score, and the Mainz Emergency Evaluation Score, Trauma Score and Injury Severity Score. Scores suitable for estimation of quality of life following emergencies are the Glasgow Outcome Scale and the Glasgow-Pittsburgh Scale.
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It is the purpose of this review to outline the principles of biometric methods in clinical research. Several study designs such as cohort studies, case-control studies or randomized controlled trials are explained in detail, and their problems and their interpretation are discussed. It is demonstrated that observational studies may yield valuable information about associations between exposure and outcome variables but that only properly designed randomized clinical trials of adequate sample size make it possible to answer research questions about causal relationships. It is emphasized that good clinical research depends on properly designed studies more than on complicated statistical procedures.
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Regional anaesthetic procedures are not popular in paediatric anaesthesia in many institutions. However, regional anaesthesia is gaining ground, especially in a "new" concept of balanced paediatric anaesthesia. The decisive argument for the use of regional anaesthesia is the prolongation of pain relief further into the postoperative phase. ⋯ Good anatomic and pharmacologic knowledge should be a prerequisite for all physicians who use regional anaesthetic procedures. Continuous training and critical analysis are needed for good results. Only then can such methods be introduced into routine paediatric anaesthetic practice.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
[Short donation intervals in preoperative autologous blood donation in the concept of autologous transfusion].
Homologous transfusion is associated with infectious and immunological risks. Preoperative autologous deposit reduces homologous transfusion requirements considerably. Usually donations are carried out at weekly intervals. ⋯ Homologous transfusion requirements were similar in the two groups (1 unit in group I, vs 3 units in one patient and 1 unit in two patients in group II). CONCLUSIONS. Short donation intervals resulted in a higher preoperative erythrocyte mass after similar preoperative deposit, and significantly higher blood loss was tolerated with similar homologous transfusion volume.