Der Anaesthesist
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The use of therapeutic hypothermia has been shown to improve survival and neurological outcome following cardiac arrest. Patients with traumatic brain injury or ischemic stroke also responded positively to therapeutic hypothermia, which may be induced by various procedures including surface cooling, endovascular cooling catheter and cold infusion. Possible side effects include infection and hemorrhage, as well as changes in water and electrolyte levels. It is the aim of this article to provide an overview of studies to date, as well as practical guidance for the application of therapeutic hypothermia.
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The microcirculation is unique in its anatomy and physiology and is a self-contained organ system within the human body. It is the site where gas exchange and nutrient supply takes place, but it is also the site which experiences pathological alterations during various shock states and therefore compromises the oxygen supply to tissues and organs. Systemic inflammation for example leads amongst others to increased heterogeneous blood flow, formation of interstitial edema, altered viscosity, leukocyte activation, disturbances in the coagulation system, and to a breakdown of the endothelial barrier function. ⋯ Without interruption of these pathomechanisms, the dysfunction of the microcirculation will consequently result in organ dysfunction. In this review article a short description of the microcirculatory physiology, the interaction between the macrocirculation and the microcirculation, as well as microcirculatory alterations generated by a systemic inflammatory response will be given. Finally, various therapy options will be described, which, experimentally, can lead to an improvement in microcirculatory dysfunction.
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Acid-base disturbances are commonly found in critically ill patients and are often associated with fatal complications. The basis of a successful treatment is a thorough understanding of the causes of these disorders. ⋯ An acidosis masked by hypochloremic and hypoalbuminemic alkalosis was identified with the help of Stewart's concept and finally permitted a successful therapy. The modern Stewart concept provides enhanced information, enabling an exact diagnosis and causal therapy even in complex cases.
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Case Reports
[Basal tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy. Induction of a pheochromocytoma after general anesthesia].
A 71-year-old female patient developed acute myocardial failure immediately after cataract surgery under general anesthesia. Subsequently performed laevocardiography demonstrated a basal ballooning of the left ventricle characteristic of basal tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy. The basal tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy was induced by a previously asymptomatic pheochromocytoma. The left ventricular function recovered completely within 4 days without specific treatment.