Läkartidningen
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Blood loss in total knee arthroplasty is some-times profuse and often necessitates transfusion which is associated with a risk of disease transmission and immunological burden to the recipient. The fibrinolytic system is activated during surgery, an activation augmented by the tourniquet often used in knee arthroplasty. ⋯ For optimal efficacy, the tranexamic acid should be administered as prophylaxis before release of the tourniquet. We have found no adverse effects of the drug.
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Although the stethoscope is used daily by almost every physician, the full potential of the art of stethoscopy is seldom tapped. It has been replaced by newer and more costly techniques. In the article it is argued that more time in medical education should be allocated to stethoscopy, so that it can be used in selecting patients who will benefit most from examination with modern diagnostic tools. The medical technological background of stethoscopy is also reviewed, as are the reasons why it is difficult to give sound advice on the choice of stethoscope.