Annales chirurgiae et gynaecologiae
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Fifty consecutive coronary artery bypass grafting (Group I) and 50 single valve replacement (Group II) procedures were compared with 50 coronary artery bypass grafting with valve replacement (Group III) procedures and 50 multi-valve procedures (Group IV) to determine the frequency of neurological complications after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The possible risks and aetiological implications were studied. The overall surgical mortality rate was 7.5%, being 0%, 4%, 6% and 20%, respectively for the different groups. ⋯ Three patients had peripheral nerve paresis. The age of the patients and the duration of the CPB operation were not factors in the risk of neurological complications. Previous neurological events seemed to increase the frequency of postoperative neurological disorders, whereas combined procedures were no more dangerous in this respect.
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The clinical course and outcome of 64 burned patients treated in the intensive care unit were analysed in order to find indicators for prognosis. Total burn area varied from 7 to 90% of body surface area. 17 patients (27%) died. ⋯ By means of a logistic model factors were obtained which proved most significant for prognosis; these were the age of the patient, arterial pH and serum protein concentration at the beginning of the treatment. The results suggest that the extent of the burned area is not the only factor affecting the outcome of the patient.