Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Mar 2005
Case Reports[A 70-year-old man with multiple injuries after a road accident: syncope with large right atrial tumour].
A 70-year old man caused a road accident without evidence for outer influence. He suffered from multiple injuries. An unstable chest required long-term mechanical ventilation. Recurrent depression of circulation and right heart failure complicated the course. Syncope could not be excluded as trigger of the accident. ⋯ In unclear syncope and suspicion of cardiac cause echocardiography should be performed. In the case of myxoma often the transthoracic view provides diagnosis. Hemodynamic problems in great myxoma make close-meshed monitoring of central venous pressure, systemic blood pressure and heart rate necessary. Soon cardiac surgery is recommended.
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One out of 13 patients with an acute myocardial infarction is endangered of cardiogenic shock. In addition, acute valvular leakage, shunt vitiae, and acute myocarditis can lead to acute myocardial failure. As a therapeutic option, mechanical assist devices offer cardiac support and hemodynamic stabilization under these circumstances. ⋯ They can also be used for bridging to heart transplantation in acute situations. Technical improvements will enhance the use of mechanical assist devices in the near future. Especially the development of portable emergency devices will enrich therapeutic possibilities in cardiology and intensive care medicine.
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Heart surgery has been performed in an increasing number of elderly patients in the recent years. Currently about 20 % of all patients in cardiac surgery are older than 75 years, however their number is increasing constantly. ⋯ Surgical pathways in the therapy of coronary artery disease or valve disease are described. Furthermore, age related morbidity and mortality and related surgical options to improve the outcome are discussed.
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A 64-year old somnolent man was admitted to the emergency department with a reported seizure half an hour earlier. Due to similar episodes the patient had been treated with antiepileptics in the past. The patient s past history revealed a partial gastrectomy (Billroth II) more than ten years ago. ⋯ Manifestation of a dumping syndrome may occur even years after gastrectomy. Therefore, in patients presenting with hypoglycemia and a history of gut surgery, a dumping syndrome should be suspected. Furthermore, seizures due to hypoglycemia may be the only manifestation of late dumping.