The West Virginia medical journal
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Blunt cardiac rupture is rare, but when it does occur it is almost immediately fatal. In patients surviving the initial insult, the overall mortality rate is 60%-90%. Patients typically present with either cardiac tamponade or massive hemothorax. ⋯ The incision is usually dictated by the physiologic status of the patient at presentation. We conclude that patients with blunt cardiac rupture can be saved, especially those with vital signs are still strong when treatment is begun. Early diagnosis is the key to survival for patient with this rare condition.
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Review Case Reports
The difficult diagnosis of subdural empyema: report of three cases and review of the literature.
Subdural empyema remains a frequently misdiagnosed clinical entity. This article presents three cases of subdural empyema and a review of recent literature.
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Comparative Study
Non-invasive mechanical ventilation: the benefits of the BiPAP system.
Many of the complications with endotracheal intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation can be avoided with the use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV). This technique has been especially successful in treating patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). ⋯ This is a portable unit which allows for selection of different modes of ventilation and adjustment of inspiratory and expiratory pressures. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation should be considered in patients presenting with ARF who are hemodynamically stable and in whom spontaneous breathing is preserved.
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Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of foci leading to abnormal cardiac rhythms is rapidly becoming the procedure of choice in the management of arrhythmias in adults. This report reviews our initial experience with RF ablation in the pediatric population.
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Case Reports
Successful case of extracorporeal life support in a patient with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock.
Over the past five years, the use of extracorporeal life support in the adult population has gained acceptance. Indications have ranged from respiratory failure secondary to trauma, and adult respiratory distress syndrome, to cardiac failure secondary to a number of causes. The results of extracorporeal life support, when applied to postcardiotomy patients, have been variable. In this article, we present the successful utilization of extracorporeal life support for 28 hours in a patient with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock following mitral valve replacement.