BMJ case reports
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Typical configurations of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) include venovenous (VV) and venoarterial (VA) configurations; however, other configurations of ECMO may be necessary in certain situations. We performed VA ECMO for a 71-year-old man who experienced refractory hypoxaemia associated with a brief cardiac arrest after resection of the small intestine showing necrosis. ⋯ Therefore, we performed VA-venous ECMO, which further improved his cardiac function and allowed him to be converted to VV ECMO. It is very important to consider different configuration strategies of ECMO by adjusting the patient's cardiopulmonary conditions appropriately.
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Transient osteoporosis of the hip is a rare, self-limiting condition, occurring most commonly in middle-aged men, but also sometimes in women, usually in late pregnancy. It is characterised by gradual onset of hip pain aggravated by weight bearing without any associated history of trauma and systemic illness. It is usually of unknown aetiology, but pregnancy is a recognised risk factor for women. ⋯ We present a case of a 38-year-old non-pregnant woman with transient osteoporosis of the hip, managed conservatively, leading to a full recovery. Treatment is conservative, including protected weight bearing, physical therapy and non-steroidal analgesics. The patient was completely painless and symptom free at 2-year follow-up.
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A 54-year-old woman with coeliac disease was admitted to hospital electively for supplemental nutrition. Shortly after feeding started she deteriorated into a hyperammonemic coma with refeeding syndrome, requiring an extensive intensive care admission. ⋯ This is a rare diagnosis in the adult population. This case report summarises protein metabolism, urea cycle disorders and the challenges of management.
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An 80-year-old woman had the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran etexilate reversed using factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity (FEIBA) in order to facilitate emergency surgery for an incarcerated femoral hernia. She had atrial fibrillation was taking the anticoagulant for stroke prevention. That afternoon her international normalised ratio (INR) was 1.3 and activated partial thromboplastin time ratio (APPTr) was 2.17, having taken dabigatran that morning. 3000 units of FEIBA and 10 mg of vitamin K were administered and she was taken to theatre for emergency surgery. ⋯ She made an uneventful postoperative recovery and was discharged home. There is a limited evidence base guiding practice in the clinical scenario described. The only controlled studies available are animal experiments.