Revista médica de Chile
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Revista médica de Chile · Jul 2004
[Intraoperatory hemodynamic monitoring with transesophageal echocardiography].
Transesophageal echocardiography allows a semi-invasive hemodynamic monitoring, during cardiac and non cardiac surgery. The benefits of such surveillance must be assessed, since it may help to change patient management. ⋯ Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography is a safe technique that renders high quality images, with a low incidence of complications and that, when well indicated, orients therapeutic changes in 98% of patients.
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Revista médica de Chile · May 2004
[Prediction of the pressure ulcer development in elderly women using the Braden scale].
Pressure ulcers are a common complication among elderly patients confined to bed for long periods. The Braden scale is a commonly used risk assessment tool. ⋯ The Braden scale predicts the risk of developing pressure ulcers with a good sensitivity and specificity in female elderly patients.
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Revista médica de Chile · Apr 2004
[Self assessment about proficiency on palliative care in a cohort of residents].
Little is known about the status and level of medical education on palliative care, symptom control and aspects of end of life care provided by medical school programs in Chile. ⋯ Chilean medical schools must improve palliative care and end of life training as part of their mandatory curriculum in both the pre and post graduate levels.
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Revista médica de Chile · Mar 2004
[Influenza-A as etiology of fever and respiratory insufficiency in adults hospitalized during an outbreak in Chile].
Influenza-A (IA) occurs every winter, is mostly observed among outpatients. ⋯ IA should be borne in mind when dealing with hospitalized adults, during epidemic outbreaks in the community. The clinical picture can resemble a serious bacterial infection. An early diagnosis allows the use of specific treatments, to decrease the risk of nosocomial spread and to avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics.
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The concept of death has evolved medically, legally and culturally since the introduction of life support technologies in the middle of the 20th century. The traditional cardiopulmonary and the new neurologically based brain death criterions of death are examined. We conclude that brain death, defined as total and irreversible loss of function of the whole brain, fulfills better "the permanent cessation of functioning of the organism as a whole" definition of death. ⋯ Ethics foundations of organ transplantation are reviewed. Even though brain death and organ donation are widely accepted in medical, legal, religious and public opinion today, the whole society and medical community need to be further educated about these matters, so that unavoidable changes of traditional concepts might be better understood. Permanent education should be the best way to dissipate social fears and distrust towards organ donation and brain death.