Singap Med J
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Every year, a large number of patients with dysphagia are placed on feeding tubes to prevent aspiration pneumonia. This prospective study was planned to compare the incidence of aspiration pneumonia and death in patients with dysphagia who were either fed orally or through a nasogastric tube. ⋯ In our study, patients on nasogastric tube feeding did not have a better outcome against aspiration pneumonia and mortality when compared to those who were on oral feeding. The poorer outcome of nasogastric tube-fed patients could be attributed to their worse cognitive and functional statuses. Larger studies are needed to refute or confirm the usefulness of nasogastric tube in elderly patients with dysphagia.
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Biography Historical Article
Crawford Long (1815-1878): father of modern anaesthesiology.
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A 25-year-old man presented at the emergency department with complaints of fever and chest pain. The electrocardiogram (ECG) showed concave ST segment elevation that was not confined to any arterial territory. ⋯ The electrocardiographical changes associated with pericarditis are discussed. A second case of a 64-year-old man with uraemic pericarditis with similar ECG changes is illustrated.