Der Anaesthesist
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The scope of emergency calls for emergency medical services staffed by an emergency physician (EMS-EP) includes calls to patients with life-limiting diseases. Symptom exacerbation as well as psychosocial overburdening of caring relatives are the most frequent reasons for activation of an EMS-EP. Pain crises, acute dyspnea, massive bleeding and/or an impending or overt cardiac arrest are the most frequent symptom exacerbations. ⋯ Even though it may no longer be required to save a life, the EMS-EP can significantly influence the bereavement of the relatives. Saving life might not be paramount for the EMS when responding to emergency calls from palliative care patients. Nevertheless, it is an important field of activity for the EMS-EP since the burden of symptoms can be relieved and dying with dignity can be made possible.
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A 17-year-old girl was found vomiting and somnolent at home and was taken to a hospital. The girl initially presented with ventricular tachycardia with broad QRS complexes which was very difficult to control. During the course a subsequent cardiogenic shock developed and despite exhaustion of all therapeutic options the fatal outcome could not be averted. ⋯ Furthermore, no pathology of internal organs was detected. The toxicological analyses revealed a lethal intoxication with flecainide as the cause of death. The investigations of the police indicated that the girl took flecainide in suicidal intention.
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Mortality in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains very high despite advances in resuscitation algorithms. Most of these patients die at the scene and do not reach hospital. It is currently the subject of discussion whether transport to hospital with ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves survival and neurological outcome in patients with OHCA. ⋯ Selected patient collectives can benefit from transport to hospital with ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
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Case Reports
[Perioperative onset of sarcoidosis : Rare differential diagnosis of a difficult airway].
Sarcoidosis is a rare multisystemic chronic inflammatory condition. Typically, there is a big discrepancy between the patient's subjectively perceived symptoms and the presence of clinical signs. ⋯ Therefore, an anesthetists working in a clinical setting should be familiar with the special needs of this patient collective. This article describes the onset of sarcoidosis in a case of an unexpected difficult airway.
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Patients undergoing cardiac surgery need extensive and invasive monitoring, which needs to be individually adapted for each patient and requires a diligent risk-benefit analysis. The use of a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) seems to be justifiable in certain cases; therefore, the preoperative diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension represents an indication for perioperative monitoring with PAC in the S3 guidelines of the German Society for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (DGAI). In many cases, however, this preoperative diagnosis cannot be confirmed intraoperatively. ⋯ An elevated pulmonary pressure obtained preoperatively during right heart catheterization is not indicative of an elevated pulmonary pressure either intraoperatively or postoperatively. There are various explanations for the differences (e.g., different physiological and pathophysiological settings, such as sedation with potential hypercapnia versus anesthesia with vasodilation when measured; newly prescribed medication coming into effect between the right heart catheterization and surgery; intraoperative positioning). Even though the inherent risks of a PAC seem to be low, we recommend refraining from using a PAC in patients with a once documented elevated pulmonary pressure by default. As an alternative we suggest estimating the pulmonary pressure by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as an aid to decide whether the patient will benefit from the use of a PAC. Especially if it is not possible to identify tricuspid valve regurgitation for determining the peak gradient, it is helpful to check for additional signs of pulmonary hypertension. But we also have to bear in mind that in the postoperative period only a PAC can provide continuous measurement of pulmonary pressure.