Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Jan 2015
Comment[New potassium binders effective: treatment of hyperkalaemia secondary to RAAS inhibitors].
This commentary discusses two recent publications by Weir et al. and Packham et al. in The New England Journal of Medicine on the efficacy of two novel potassium binders, sodium zirconium cyclosilicate and patiromer. In a similar manner to existing potassium binders, these drugs exchange dietary potassium for either sodium or calcium in the gut, thereby preventing absorption of potassium. Both drugs were tested against placebo in patients with chronic kidney disease who developed hyperkalaemia because they were also using renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors. ⋯ A strong point in the trials is that the new potassium binders allow patients to continue using RAAS inhibitors. By doing so, these patients with high cardiovascular risk may continue to benefit from the protective effects of RAAS inhibitors. Limitations include the relatively short treatment period, the lack of a control group using existing potassium binders, and the exclusion of patients with severe or symptomatic hyperkalaemia.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Jan 2015
[Predictive value of the VMS theme 'Frail elderly': delirium, falling and mortality in elderly hospital patients].
To determine the predictive value of safety management system (VMS) screening questions for falling, delirium, and mortality, as punt down in the VMS theme 'Frail elderly'. ⋯ The VMS screening for delirium is a reasonably reliable instrument for identifying those elderly people with a high risk of developing this condition; the VMS sensitivity for fall risk is moderate. The number of positive VMS risk factors correlates with mortality and may therefore be regarded as a measure of frailty.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Jan 2015
Case Reports[A young woman with skin necrosis after sclerotherapy].
A 23-year-old woman developed painful skin necrosis after injections with lauromacrogol 400 for varicose veins. This complication, called embolia cutis medicamentosa or Nicolau syndrome, is characterised by acute pain and necrosis of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle. Surgical intervention by local excision seems to be the best therapy.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Jan 2015
[The automated external defibrillator in the resuscitation chain. The importance of the AED examined].
The survival rate for those suffering an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is improving slowly, with > 90% of the survivors being discharged from hospital with cognitive function intact. A recent analysis of the ARREST (AmsteRdam Resuscitation Study) group documented an increase in survival rates with favourable neurological outcome from 16.2% in 2006 to 19.7% in 2012. ⋯ A recent analysis of the ARREST database points to the increasing use of AEDs (by laypersons, but particularly by police officers and fire-fighters with a training in basic life support) as one of the main drivers of this improved prognosis. An AED is now used in 59% of OHCA in the greater Amsterdam area, and has become an essential link in the resuscitation chain.
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Today, in 2014, the Manchester Triage System is an evidence-based triage system for the emergency room. It has been nationally and internationally validated and is safe for children. Why use the non-validated Netherlands Triage Standard that has no specific triage that has been suitably adapted and tested for children?