Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research
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This is a review of current knowledge on cardiogenic shock (CS), with particular attention to recommended management. The bibliography for the study was compiled through a search of different databases between 1966-2008. The references cited in the selected articles were also reviewed. ⋯ Although patients with cardiogenic shock often present a left ventricular ejection fraction of around 30%, survivors often have a good functional classification one year after the event. Neurohormonal and inflammatory mechanisms play a fundamental role in the pathophysiology of CS. These mechanisms are currently the target of studies looking into developing new therapeutic strategies.
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Survivors of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) may show transient or persistent extrapyramidal symptoms such as rigidity, akinesia and parkinsonian posture, associated with hypomimia, not estinguishable glabellar tap reflex, seborrhea and hypersalivation. The Blink Reflex (BR), an electrically-induced reflex, is abnormal in Parkinson's disease (PD) and in some parkinsonisms. The aim of the study was to investigate BR habituation and its recovery cycle in survivors of severe TBI suffering from parkinsonian syndrome and the possible correlation with neuroimaging findings. ⋯ BR changes correlate with parkinsonian signs and neuroimaging findings. BR may have a role as a diagnostic tool in post-traumatic parkinsonism and as a prognostic tool to evaluate the effect of therapeutic options.