International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Feb 2008
The clinical value of rapid assay for plasma B-type natriuretic peptide in differentiating congestive heart failure from pulmonary causes of dyspnoea.
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac neurohormone secreted from the cardiac ventricles in response to pressure overload. ⋯ A value of 100 pg/ml or more for a rapid BNP assay may be the most accurate independent predictor of the presence or absence of CHF.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Feb 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialCombined spinal-epidural analgesia vs. intermittent bolus epidural analgesia for pain relief after major abdominal surgery. A prospective, randomised, double-blind clinical trial.
The primary aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of combined spinal-epidural (CSE) analgesia vs. intermittent bolus epidural analgesia (EA) for pain relief after major abdominal surgery. The secondary aim was to assess the effects of fentanyl addition to subarachnoid morphine and bupivacaine. ⋯ Combined spinal-epidural improved intra-operative analgesia and reduced pain with cough in the immediate postoperative period. The addition of fentanyl to subarachnoid morphine and bupivacaine decreased the need for additional i.v. fentanyl and epidural bupivacaine analgesia.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Feb 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEffect of levosimendan on right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in patients with ischaemic heart failure.
Levosimendan is a novel positive inotropic calcium sensitiser agent used in acute left heart failure. In this study, the effect of levosimendan on the right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions was evaluated by tissue Doppler comparing them with dobutamine in patients with ischaemic heart failure. ⋯ Levosimendan improves right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Feb 2008
Clinical TrialEfficacy and safety of high concentration lidocaine for trigeminal nerve block in patients with trigeminal neuralgia.
Local anaesthetics, which act as neurolytics and Na(+) channel blockers, have been used for disrupting the neural firings in certain neuropathic pain conditions. This study was undertaken to investigate the clinical outcome of trigeminal nerve block with 10% lidocaine in the management of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). ⋯ Trigeminal nerve block with high concentration lidocaine (10%) is capable of achieving an intermediate period of pain relief, particularly in patients with lower pain intensity and shorter pain duration prior to the procedure.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Feb 2008
Multicenter StudyFunctional gastrointestinal disorder is associated with increased non-gastrointestinal healthcare consumption in the general population.
Comparison of comorbidity and healthcare consumption in primary healthcare subjects with persistent functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) and a strictly gastrointestinal (GI) symptom-free group (SSF). ⋯ Functional gastrointestinal disorders are related to an increased demand on primary healthcare because of an increased overall comorbidity, which signifies a need for a holistic healthcare approach.