Fortschritte der Medizin
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Fortschritte der Medizin · Nov 1989
Review[Hemodynamic effect of unsaturated fatty acids. Do fish oils have an antihypertensive effect?].
While there is still uncertainty about a possible blood pressure lowering effect of omega-6 fatty acids (vegetable oil) in man, a number of reports have described cardiovascular effects of an increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil). In normotensive volunteers, unchanged or mildly decreased arterial blood pressure, a decrease in the response to exogenous vasopressors, especially noradrenaline, a rise in renal blood flow, and increased sensitivity of the arterial baroreflex system have been reported. ⋯ In the short-term studies available to date doses of more than 5 g/day of omega-3 fatty acids were necessary to effectively lower blood pressure. At present, the mechanism of the cardiovascular effects of fish oil is also unknown.
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Fortschritte der Medizin · Aug 1989
Review[Herpes virus infections in immunosuppressed patients. Herpes simplex and varicella zoster virus: prevention and therapy].
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) giving rise to primary or recurrent infections still threaten immunocompromised patients. However, such prophylactic measures as passive and active immunisation against VZV infection, and antiviral chemoprophylaxis and chemotherapy of HSV- and VZV-infections have improved the prognosis of these patients considerably.
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Fortschritte der Medizin · Jul 1989
[Infection caused by gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. A comparative study].
The clinical symptomatology of bacterial septicemias was analysed in 417 patients of a University Hospital in West Berlin. Sepsis was caused by Gram-negative organisms in 229 cases, and by Gram-positive bacteria in 177 cases; 11 cases presented with a mixed type sepsis involving both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. ⋯ Pathophysiological changes (thrombopenia, leukopenia, coagulopathies) that are considered classical reactions to endotoxin, were also observed in Gram-positive infections. The overall prognosis of septicemia was determined largely by the severity of the underlying pathological condition.
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Fortschritte der Medizin · Jun 1989
Review[Systemic pharmacotherapy in backache. Indications and practical applications].
The treatment of acute and chronic low back pain is a problem frequently encountered in the doctor's office. Selective drug therapy has a useful role to play within the framework of the overall therapeutic strategy. Indications and practical application of the major analgesic agents in various low back pain conditions are discussed.
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Fortschritte der Medizin · Feb 1989
Review[Acute pancreatitis. 1: Principles of conservative therapy].
Any patient with suspected acute pancreatitis should be hospitalized in an intensive care unit. Since the course even of an apparently initially uncomplicated attack of pancreatitis can rapidly become severe and life-threatening, close clinical monitoring in accordance with the rules of critical care medicine is necessary. The major therapeutic measures comprise fasting, parenteral replacement of fluid, electrolytes and calories, and pain treatment. ⋯ At the present time, there is no specific treatment regimen for pancreatitis. Therapeutic concepts of hormonal inhibition of pancreatic secretion, or the inactivation of autodigestive enzymes, have not proved successful, or have not yet been adequately demonstrated to be effective. On resolution of the pancreatitis, an attempt must always be made to identify the cause of cause of the condition, since this forms the basis for further prophylactic and therapeutic consequences.