Orvosi hetilap
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The mechanism of hepatotoxicity caused by paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose and the treatment of patients is reviewed. Paracetamol is widely used over-the-counter drug with analgesic and antipyretic properties. Although it is considered to be safe at therapeutic doses, the incidence of hepatotoxicity caused by overdose or inadvertent application has been increasing lately. ⋯ Until now there is no complete therapeutic strategy for the effective treatment of hepatotoxicity caused by paracetamol. Gut decontamination, N-acetylcysteine antidote administration and enhancement of elimination is used for the management of paracetamol overdose. Those with severe hepatotoxicity and neurological symptoms can benefit from removal of necrotic liver and undergo transplantation.
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Target controlled infusion systems have been developed to provide improved convenience and control during intravenous anaesthesia. The anaesthetist sets and adjust the target blood concentration and depth of anaesthesia--as required on clinical grounds. Infusion rates are altered automatically according to a validated pharmacokinetic model. ⋯ Compared with values obtained in awake patients, there was a significant decrease in mean arterial pressure (-30%), in cardiac output (-25%), in heart rate (-8%), in vascular resistance (-9%), in contractility (-37.4%), in stroke volume (-17.5%). No ECG changes were observed during that period. The haemodynamic changes observed do not differ from the published data in patients presenting for cardiac surgery and anaesthetized with manually controlled infusion techniques using propofol.