British journal of hospital medicine
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Advanced cardiac life support is the definitive sequence of initial treatment for the victim of a cardiac arrest. Advanced cardiac life support forms a large part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which also includes basic life support and post-resuscitation intensive care.
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Basic life support (BLS) is a method of sustaining vital functions in a person who has collapsed and is unconscious, frequently with a cardiac arrest but sometimes with respiratory arrest, choking or other cause. BLS is a vital link in the 'chain of survival' for these critically ill people.
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The use of arterial lines is now common in the care of critically ill patients. Intra-arterial cannulation with continuous blood pressure transduction and display remains the accepted standard for comprehensive arterial blood pressure monitoring. This article will illustrate a technique for percutaneous radial artery cannulation as well as outlining the indications, contraindications and possible complications of arterial cannulation.
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Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality, is a more common neuropsychiatric sequela of alcohol misuse than is widely realized. It is easily prevented and treated with parenteral B-complex vitamins, although this treatment is widely under-utilized.