Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Goal-directed fluid therapy based on stroke volume variations improves fluid management and gastrointestinal perfusion in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery.
To evaluate the influence of stroke volume variation (SVV)-based goal-directed therapy (GDT) on splanchnic organ functions and postoperative complications in orthopedic patients. ⋯ SVV-based GDT during major orthopedic surgery reduced the volume of the required intraoperative infused fluids, maintained intraoperative hemodynamic stability, and improved the perioperative gastrointestinal function.
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According to the first publication in 1993 by Rauscher et al. [Nature 1993;365:611], the Mozart effect implies the enhancement of reasoning skills solving spatial problems in normal subjects after listening to Mozart's piano sonata K 448. A further evaluation of this effect has raised the question whether there is a link between music-generated emotions and a higher level of cognitive abilities by mere listening. Positron emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging have revealed that listening to pleasurable music activates cortical and subcortical cerebral areas where emotions are processed. ⋯ Furthermore, music may modulate the immune response, among other things, evidenced by increasing the activity of natural killer cells, lymphocytes and interferon-γ, which is an interesting feature as many diseases are related to a misbalanced immune system. Many of these clinical studies, however, suffer from methodological inadequacies. Nevertheless, at present, there is moderate but not altogether convincing evidence that listening to known and liked music helps to decrease the burden of a disease and enhances the immune system by modifying stress.
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Many physicians in Kuwait have contributed to the development of the management of acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis utilizing open surgical thrombectomy for early thrombus removal. This concept is now accepted around the world, with new endovascular procedures replacing open surgery. Its development is described and the latest guidelines for early thrombus removal are presented.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Allopurinol as a preventive contrivance after acute ischemic stroke in patients with a high level of serum uric acid: a randomized, controlled trial.
To assess the clinical relevance (functional outcome) of a 3-month allopurinol regimen in patients with high serum uric acid (SUA) levels and acute ischemic stroke without considering the changes in SUA levels. ⋯ Allopurinol treatment was well tolerated and improved the 3-month functional status of patients with acute ischemic stroke who had high levels of SUA without considering the decreasing effect of allopurinol on SUA.
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To assess the normal sonographic values of renal length and cortical thickness in healthy adults and establish reference ranges in our population for comparison when examining renal disease. ⋯ Renal length and cortical thickness did not vary significantly with age. Renal length correlated well with weight and BMI but not with height. Hence, establishing normal ranges of renal parameters is essential for comparison in situations where possible renal disease is being investigated.