Isr Med Assoc J
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Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator therapy within 3 hours of stroke onset is a proven effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke. ⋯ Intravenous rt-PA treatment within 3 hours of stroke onset in routine clinical practice in Israel is feasible and appears safe in the setting of a neurology stroke unit and team. Careful implementation of rt-PA therapy for selected patients in Israel is encouraged.
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The Dead Sea in Israel has a very high mineral content. Near-drowning in the Dead Sea is expected to result in severe electrolyte abnormalities and respiratory failure. Previous limited studies reported a high mortality rate. ⋯ Near-drowning in the Dead Sea is a syndrome of severe electrolyte abnormalities and lung injury. Early treatment with forced diuresis and supportive care results in prompt recovery.
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Comparative Study
Forgoing life-sustaining treatments: comparison of attitudes between Israeli and North American intensive care healthcare professionals.
Physicians' decisions regarding provision of life-sustaining treatment may be influenced considerably by non-medical variables. ⋯ Critical care physicians in Israel place similar emphasis on the value of life as their U.S. counterparts and assign DNR orders with an incidence equaling that of the U.S. They differ from their U.S. counterparts in that they confer less significance to the will of the patient, and do not consult as much with families of patients regarding DNR orders.