Lijec̆nic̆ki vjesnik
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Rituximab, a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has become a part of standard treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the last several years. Depleting CD20+ cells by various mechanisms, it is active as a single agent and particularly when combined with chemotherapy. ⋯ Because of different mechanisms of action, adding rituximab to chemotherapy does not cause additional toxicity. Combination of rituximab and chemotherapy improves response rates in indolent lymphomas and survival in aggressive lymphomas.
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Lijec̆nic̆ki vjesnik · Jan 2006
Practice Guideline[European Resuscitation Council guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in 2005].
ADULT BASIC LIFE SUPPORT: The ratio of compressions to ventilations is 30:2 for all adult victims of cardiac arrest. AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATION: A single defibrillatory shock is delivered, immediately followed by two minutes of uninterrupted CPR. ADULT ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT: In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest attended, but unwitnessed, by healthcare professionals equipped with manual defibrillators, give CPR for 2 minutes before defibrillation. ⋯ NEONATAL LIFE SUPPORT: Protect the newborn from heat loss. Standard resuscitation in delivery room should be made with 100% oxygen. Suctioning meconium from the baby's nose and mouth before delivery of the baby's chest (intrapartum suctioning) is not useful and no longer recommended.
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Lijec̆nic̆ki vjesnik · Nov 2004
Clinical Trial[Rituximab in the treatment of indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].
Indolent Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) are a group of slowly progressive immune system malignancies that cannot be cured with conventional treatment. Rituximab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that has recently become a part of the standard treatment of B-cell lymphoid malignancies. Here we present our experience in 25 patients with indolent NHL treated with rituximab with or without chemotherapy. ⋯ Response and survival rates were significantly better in patients with favorable prognosis (lower IPI score). Adverse effects related to rituximab occurred in 2 patients and were mild. Our results are completely comparable to previously reported studies and show that rituximab is effective and safe for the treatment of indolent B-cell NHL.
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Lijec̆nic̆ki vjesnik · Nov 2004
Case Reports[Out-of-hospital use of transcutaneous cardiac pacing].
Transcutaneous cardiac pacing is a non-invasive method for the treatment of serious bradycardias and asystolic cardiac arrest. Due to its simplicity this method does not require a long-lasting education. It can be quickly applied avoiding all the risks connected with the central venous cannulation. ⋯ This refers especially to the use of transcutaneous cardiac pacing in out-of-hospital medical centers. This work shows two cases of successful cardiac pacing in the patients with life threatening bradycardias under the conditions of medicine on the island. The conclusion is that the equipment for transcutaneous cardiac pacing should become a part of the standard resuscitation equipment in all our centers that are involved in the activities of emergency medicine.