Articles: patients.
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To review human thermoregulation and the pathophysiology and management of induced and accidental hypothermia. ⋯ Operative hypothermia reduces ischaemic injury during cardiac and neurosurgical procedures. Hypothermia induced following tissue injury has not yet been shown to be of benefit. Management of accidental hypothermia requires passive and active warming methods, the indication of each depending on the availability of the method and severity of hypothermia.
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To review pathophysiology and management of hypovolaemic, cardiogenic and septic shock in a two-part presentation. ⋯ Hypovolaemic shock requires urgent management of the underlying defect and replacement of the intravascular volume loss. Recent studies in management of cardiogenic shock using urgent revascularisation and intra-aortic Balloon counterpulsation in patients with acute myocardial infarction have shown a reduction in mortality in selected cases.
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Recent reports suggest a short series of cardiac troponin (cTnT) testing effectively identifies patients at risk for cardiac events. However, there are few studies validating this strategy. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of cTnT levels to predict short- and long-term outcomes in low-risk patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes. ⋯ Determination of troponin T levels has a low sensitivity and high specificity for predicting outcomes in low-risk patients evaluated for suspected acute coronary syndromes. This study does not support a strategy of relying solely on troponin testing for disposition decisions. [Peacock WF IV, Emerman CL, McErlean ES, Deluca SA, van Lente F, Rao JS, Nissen SE: Prediction of short- and long-term outcomes by troponin T levels in low-risk patients evaluated for acute coronary syndromes. Ann Emerg Med. March 2000;35:213-220.].
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A consecutive series of 234 patients undergoing oesophagectomy with a stapled intrathoracic oesophagogastric anastomosis (Autosuture CEEA gun) between April 1990 and April 1999 were studied. BAS was defined as dysphagia with anastomotic narrowing (XQ200 endoscope) and no suspicion of recurrence. Statistical analysis was by the chi2 and Mann-Whitney U tests. ⋯ Staple gun size is an important risk factor for BAS formation and 'tilt-top' devices enable the use of a larger head with a subsequently lower incidence of BAS. Endoscopic dilatation is an effective treatment for BAS which rarely recurs and always resolves within 18 months.
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One hundred and thirty-two patients with reflux symptoms underwent a primary Lind fundoplication between April 1986 and February 1994; all operations were supervised or performed by one surgeon. The median age at operation was 47 (range 17-77) years. All patients attended for follow-up in the early postoperative period. It was possible to conduct a telephone interview to assess long-term symptom control, at a median time of 9.5 (range 5-13) years following operation, in 112 of the 124 patients who were still alive. ⋯ Open Lind fundoplication appears to be effective in the long-term control of gastro-oesophageal reflux in 95 per cent of patients and represents a standard against which the long-term results of laparoscopic surgery will need to be compared.