Medicine
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Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a crucial public health problem. To improve outcomes of patients after cardiac arrest, the American Heart Association promotes the concept of the chain of survival. We report a case of a 19-year-old man with no markedly past medical history who suffered from OHCA, and he was resuscitated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, without interruption, during the rescue process for 120 minutes until return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). ⋯ Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with Brugada syndrome. Postcardiac arrest care was performed after ROSC, including mild therapeutic hypothermia, hemodynamic monitoring and management, and ICD implantation, and then the patient completely recovered without any noticeable neurological or intellectual deficits in the follow-up examinations. Our case demonstrates that even after an OHCA with prolonged time (120 minutes) until ROSC, survival with a favorable neurological outcome is possible, provided implementation of an extremely effective rescue chain.
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The role of diagonal ear lobe crease (DELC) in coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosis and prognosis remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to assess the combined effect of DELC with other conventional risk factors in the diagnosis and prognosis of CAD in Chinese patients who underwent angiography and coronary stent implantation. The study consisted of 956 consecutive patients who underwent angiography. ⋯ Stratification analyses revealed that the diagnostic value of DELC was mostly significant in those with >4 risk factors. Also in patients with >4 risk factors, the presence of bilateral DELC remains to be associated with higher hs-CRP level, higher severity of CAD, and higher possibility of developing major adverse cardiac events after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Our study confirmed the relation of DELC with CAD in Chinese patients; more importantly, our data suggest the combination of DELC and CAD risk factors will help to predict the incidence of CAD and may predict the prognosis after successfully PCI.
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Comparative Study
Delta-Shaped Gastroduodenostomy in Fully Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Study.
This study aims to explore the technical feasibility, safety, and clinical efficacy of delta-shaped anastomosis for digestive tract reconstruction during totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. Clinical data of 24 patients who received totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with delta-shaped anastomosis (laparoscopic gastrectomy group, LG group) and 30 patients who received open distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer (open gastrectomy group, OG group) from April 2013 to April 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative time to intestinal function recovery, postoperative pain, postoperative hospital stay, and incidence of postoperative complications (infection, obstruction, and delayed gastric emptying) were compared between these 2 groups. ⋯ There were no significant differences with respect to surgical margins achieved, the number of lymph nodes retrieved or incidence of postoperative complications (infection, obstruction, and delayed gastric emptying) between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Laparoscopic reconstruction of the digestive tract through delta-shaped anastomosis appears to be safe, feasible, and associated to rapid recovery. These data argue for more wide-spread implementation of this procedure.
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Pharmacists record data on all drugs claimed and may build a personal relationship with their clients. We hypothesized that loyalty to a single pharmacy could be associated with a better quality of drug use. To assess the association between pharmacy loyalty and quality of drug use among individuals treated with oral antidiabetes drugs (OADs). ⋯ Quality of drug use decreased as the number of different pharmacies increased (linear contrast tests <0.001). Results underscore the important role pharmacists could play in helping their clients with chronic diseases to better manage their drug treatments. Further research is needed to determine to what extent the positive effects associated with pharmacy loyalty are specifically due to pharmacists.
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To perform a systematic review assessing accuracy and completeness of diagnostic studies of procalcitonin (PCT) for early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) using the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD) initiative. EONS, diagnosed during the first 3 days of life, remains a common and serious problem. Increased PCT is a potentially useful diagnostic marker of EONS, but reports in the literature are contradictory. ⋯ Authors should be aware of the STARD criteria before starting a study in this field. We welcome stricter adherence to this guideline. Well-reported studies with appropriate designs will provide more reliable information to guide decisions on the use and interpretations of PCT test results in the management of neonates with EONS.