Arch Intern Med
-
To examine symptoms and treatments among hospitalized adults in the last 2 days of life. ⋯ Baseline information with which to begin improvement of care for dying individuals was obtained through a brief retrospective chart review. While patients with CMO receive less aggressive care, no specific process was used to provide comfort care. The evaluation and testing of processes of care for dying patients are necessary to begin the improvement of care. We provide baseline data about processes and outcomes of care in our hospitals.
-
Case Reports
Embolization of a ruptured aneurysm in classic polyarteritis nodosa presenting as perirenal hematoma.
A 26-year-old man was admitted with abdominal pain, anemia, and hypertension. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a perirenal hematoma. Soon after admission, the patient went into shock, and emergency angiography was performed. ⋯ When a spontaneous perirenal hematoma is a presenting symptom of classic polyarteritis nodosa, a delay in making the right diagnosis is likely to occur. Angiography not only may provide a quick diagnosis, but it can also be used to perform therapeutic embolization. In patients with classic polyarteritis nodosa and hemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm, angiography may be a therapeutic alternative to surgery.