Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Mar 2001
Different patterns of angioedema in patients with and without angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy.
There is convincing evidence for a causal relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) therapy and angioedema, but the clinical features of the patients remain unclear. The aim of the study was to compare patterns of angioedema in patients under ACEI therapy and those without ACEI therapy. ⋯ Patients with angioedema under ACE inhibitor therapy differ significantly from those receiving no ACEI therapy in terms of patterns of angioedema and age. The applicability of this observation as a tool for deciding whether to continue or terminate ACEI therapy requires prospective evaluation.
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Anemia is a frequent finding in patients treated in ICUs and results in a high number of red blood cell transfusions. Many patients are already admitted to ICUs with subnormal hemoglobin values. Surgery, frequent phlebotomies and overt bleeding episodes are obvious reasons for continuous blood loss during the ICU stay. ⋯ However, the optimal transfusion trigger in relation to patient comorbidity requires further investigation. Rigorous strategies of blood conservation may help to avoid transfusions. Red blood cell substitutes and recombinant erythropoietin are promising treatment options that are currently under investigation.
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Sepsis-associated purpura fulminans is defined as septicemia, shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and circulatory failure leading to multiple organ dysfunction. 40-70% of patients with sepsis-associated purpura fulminans die. Early prognostic factors in adults have not been well delineated yet. Aim of our study was 1) to evaluate currently used scoring systems for meningococcal septicemia in the setting of sepsis-associated purpura fulminans and 2) to assess if other parameters are feasible as early prognostic factors. ⋯ There was no difference in the APACHE II Score (22 (18.5, 24) vs 22 (20.25, 26)). The severity of disseminated intravascular coagulation assessed by routine laboratory parameters and the degree of lactic acidosis on admission were the strongest predictors of outcome in patients with sepsis-associated purpura fulminans. Scoring systems developed for patients with meningococcal septicemia are of limited value in the setting of sepsis-associated purpura fulminans.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Feb 2001
Comparative StudyPost-traumatic changes in insulin-like growth factor type 1 and growth hormone in patients with bone fractures and traumatic brain injury.
The aim of the study was to determine whether changes in serum levels of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor type 1 (IGF-1) are related to the phenomenon of enhanced osteogenesis in patients with bone fracture combined with traumatic brain injury (TBI), which would also suggest their involvement in post-traumatic stress and their applicability in the promotion of bone fracture healing. GH values were increased during the initial post-traumatic period in all patients (those with bone fractures or TBI alone or combined injury associated with enhanced osteogenesis), declining to normal values afterwards. ⋯ In these patients IGF-1 values increased gradually during fracture healing, as was also the case in patients with bone fractures alone. Thus, different patterns of post-traumatic changes in both GH and IGF-1 were seen in patients with TBI or bone fractures in comparison to those with combined injury, indicating the involvement of these substances in the post-traumatic stress response and in the phenomenon of enhanced osteogenesis in patients with bone fractures and TBI.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2001
Comparative StudyHigh-dose versus low-dose rate brachytherapy in definitive radiotherapy of cervical cancer.
To retrospectively compare the clinical outcome in cervical cancer patients treated by external irradiation and intracavitary high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy with iridium 192 versus low-dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy with radium 226 or caesium 139. ⋯ In our preliminary experience, HDR brachytherapy combined with external beam radiation produced similar and even better survival rates compared with the LDR series. HDR brachytherapy combined with external beam radiation is an efficient method for the treatment of cervical cancer and adverse side effects are comparable.