Der Anaesthesist
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We present the case of a 46-year-old male who developed refractory bradycardia with cardiogenic shock after attempting suicide by ingestion of yew leaves. Due to delayed availability of the Digoxin immune fab, a va-ECMO was established to maintain sufficient circulation. ⋯ Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration with hemoadsorption and albumin dialysis were initiated with the intention to remove immune fab-toxin complexes and as organ support in acute kidney and liver failure. Within 5 days the patient was successfully weaned from ECMO, liver support and renal replacement and discharged without physical sequelae.
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Medical liability is booming. Malpractice can entail both civil and criminal consequences. Besides financial and custodial penalties, at worst the license to practice medicine can be withdrawn. ⋯ Nevertheless, the patient's right of self-determination must not be violated. Especially in emergency situations, physicians have to focus on taking protective measures in order to avert further dangers to the health of patients. This article analyses common pitfalls in emergency medical treatment with respect to the legal aspects.
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The revised and redefined "International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2021" of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign were published on 4 October 2021. As in the previous version from 2016, the focus of these international guidelines is on the diagnosis and acute treatment measures in sepsis. ⋯ These recommendations and the underlying studies reflect the increasing awareness about the long-term consequences of severe diseases requiring intensive medical care. This article summarizes the updates in a clearly comprehensible form.
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Despite numerous studies on the regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) measured by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in orthopedic patients in the beach chair position, it is still unclear whether patient-specific factors, such as concomitant cardiovascular diseases, are more frequently associated with the occurrence of cerebral desaturation events (CDE). ⋯ On the basis of our study, patient-specific prognosis and risk factors for the occurrence of CDE, such as higher age, ASA > 2 and RCRI > 1 classification as well as pre-existing arterial hypertension could be determined. Arterial hypertension represents the main risk factor for the occurrence of CDE in the beach chair position. RCRI > 1 classification or age, however, only has an effect on the occurrence of pathological rSO2 values due to the greater probability of simultaneous arterial hypertension.
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A pre-existing anticoagulation treatment and predisposing diseases for thromboembolic events represent common problems in patients with sepsis or septic shock; however, these conditions are not addressed in current national guidelines for sepsis and septic shock. One of the aims of this nationwide survey in Germany was therefore to determine how intensive care physicians deal with these problems. ⋯ Data on the continuation of anticoagulation beyond VTE prophylaxis with a subsequently increased risk of bleeding in patients with sepsis and septic shock is limited and treatment decisions are in many cases subject to individual consideration by the practitioner. The results of our survey imply the need for a systematic work-up of this topic in order to support daily practice in many ICUs with the required evidence.