Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
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About 15% of hospital admissions of elderly patients in the Netherlands are caused by adverse effects of drugs. With polypharmacy there is an increased chance of adverse effects occurring. It is not always possible to reduce polypharmacy in the elderly. ⋯ The most important pharmacodynamic changes in the elderly concern an increased sensitivity of the target organ. This is particularly the case for substances which have an effect on the central nervous system, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics, but also applies to benzodiazepines, coumarin derivatives and digoxin. When an unexpected adverse effect occurs in a patient or a previously effective therapy suddenly fails, it is wise to consider drug interaction as a possible cause.
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In the resuscitation guidelines revised by the Netherlands Resuscitation Council, the decision has been made to conform with the resuscitation flowchart used elsewhere in the world, and to use the ABC sequence: 'airway-breathing-circulation'. This implies that the CAB sequence ('circulation-airway-breathing'), which has been in use since 1981, has been abandoned. Intrinsic arguments in favour of the CAB scheme are based on animal experiments and observations in humans. ⋯ In addition, this scheme is better suited to the relatively large group of patients with a cardiac cause underlying their loss of consciousness, and to the preference of lay people to limit themselves to heart massage when attending the patient. Intrinsic arguments in favour of the ABC scheme are not based on scientific data. They concern improvement of the ventilation-perfusion ratio with the first heart massage, oxygenation of the blood in the lung capillaries, improvement of the circulation and the palpability of pulses.
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In 2002, the Netherlands Resuscitation Council published a translation of guidelines on Basic Life Support, use of the Automated External Defibrillator, and Advanced Life Support for adults and children, as laid down in 2000 by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. The Dutch situation has altered in that there has been a change from the Netherlands-specific 'CAB' scheme to the internationally accepted 'ABC' scheme. This means that upon encountering a patient, the airways should be checked first (A), then artificial ventilation should be administered twice (B), after which the circulation should be checked in the third place (C) and chest compression should be initiated if necessary. ⋯ Regardless of the number of people attending the patient, the ratio of chest compressions to artificial ventilation in adults is now 15:2 rather than the previously-advocated ratio of 5:1. This ratio is more effective in building up the blood pressure during the chest compressions. In terms of medication, the most important modification is the addition of amiodarone for persistent ventricular fibrillation.
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The 'Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care' have been published in a number of journals by a group of international experts. Although these guidelines are not dictated or imposed, their implementation would necessitate changes to the curriculum 'Basic Life Support' instruction for laymen. The recall of all persons ever instructed to inform them about the new Guidelines is also necessary. However, in view of the present lack of solid scientific basis, the wisdom of implementing the present guidelines in Dutch practice in an unrestricted manner has to be questioned, due to financial and human impact that would be involved.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Mar 2003
[Neurosurgery or endovascular treatment for subarachnoid hemorrhage due to ruptured aneurysm? In case of doubt choose endovascular treatment].
In the 'International subarachnoid aneurysm trial' (ISAT), patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms were randomised to endovascular detachable coil treatment or craniotomy with clipping of the aneurysm if either treatment was judged to be suitable. Of all patients assessed for eligibility, endovascular treatment was considered the best treatment for 29% and neurosurgical clipping was considered best for 38%, in 11% the treatment was unknown, which left 22% for whom there was no preference for one of the two treatments and who gave permission for randomisation. In patients allocated endovascular treatment, 24% was dependent or dead at 1 year versus 31% of patients allocated neurosurgical treatment. ⋯ Based on these results it is estimated that in the Netherlands each year at least 500 patients with a ruptured intracranial aneurysm should be treated with endovascular coiling within 3 days of the haemorrhage. This treatment can best be limited to a few centres, since it will otherwise not be possible to gain sufficient experience. The same applies to neurosurgical treatment since the number of patients treated with neurosurgical clipping will decrease.