Articles: outcome.
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We sought to assess the value of adjusting shunt valve opening pressure, complications, and outcomes with the use of an adjustable shunt valve in the treatment of patients with normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). ⋯ Noninvasive, particularly consecutive, minor or single larger adjustments to the valve opening pressure can further improve outcome in patients with NPH who undergo shunting.
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This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To assess the efficacy and adverse effects of single dose parecoxib in studies of acute postoperative pain using methods that permit comparison with other analgesics evaluated in standardised trials using almost identical methods and outcomes.
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Whiplash injuries are an important public health problem that is associated with significant disability and high health care utilization. Recent cohort studies suggest that physician care may be the most effective treatment for patients with whiplash-associated disorders. However, these findings have not been tested in a randomized controlled trial. The purpose of this study is to determine which of physician care or two rehabilitation programs of care is most effective in improving recovery of patients with recent whiplash associated disorders. ⋯ The results of this study will provide the public, clinicians and policy makers much needed evidence on the effectiveness of common approaches used to manage whiplash-associated disorders.
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In-hospital cardiac arrest has a poor prognosis despite active electrocardiography monitoring. The initial rhythm of approximately 25% of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) events is pulseless ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF). Early defibrillation is an independent predictor of survival in CPR events caused by VT/VF. The automated external cardioverter defibrillator (AECD) is a device attached by pads to the chest wall that monitors, detects, and within seconds, automatically delivers electric countershock to an appropriate tachyarrhythmia. ⋯ AECD monitoring is safe and likely results in earlier defibrillation than standard telemetry monitoring.
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Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) can significantly decrease cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, irrespective of the patients' cholesterol status. This paper reviews the effects of perioperative statin therapy in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. ⋯ Ideally a large scale multi-centre randomized controlled trial of perioperative statin therapy should be performed but this may be difficult to conduct since there is already overwhelming evidence in the literature to suggest perioperative cardiovascular protective properties. Statins may still be under-prescribed in surgical patients.