Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
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In the resuscitation guidelines revised by the Netherlands Resuscitation Council, the decision has been made to conform with the resuscitation flowchart used elsewhere in the world, and to use the ABC sequence: 'airway-breathing-circulation'. This implies that the CAB sequence ('circulation-airway-breathing'), which has been in use since 1981, has been abandoned. Intrinsic arguments in favour of the CAB scheme are based on animal experiments and observations in humans. ⋯ In addition, this scheme is better suited to the relatively large group of patients with a cardiac cause underlying their loss of consciousness, and to the preference of lay people to limit themselves to heart massage when attending the patient. Intrinsic arguments in favour of the ABC scheme are not based on scientific data. They concern improvement of the ventilation-perfusion ratio with the first heart massage, oxygenation of the blood in the lung capillaries, improvement of the circulation and the palpability of pulses.
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In 2002, the Netherlands Resuscitation Council published a translation of guidelines on Basic Life Support, use of the Automated External Defibrillator, and Advanced Life Support for adults and children, as laid down in 2000 by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. The Dutch situation has altered in that there has been a change from the Netherlands-specific 'CAB' scheme to the internationally accepted 'ABC' scheme. This means that upon encountering a patient, the airways should be checked first (A), then artificial ventilation should be administered twice (B), after which the circulation should be checked in the third place (C) and chest compression should be initiated if necessary. ⋯ Regardless of the number of people attending the patient, the ratio of chest compressions to artificial ventilation in adults is now 15:2 rather than the previously-advocated ratio of 5:1. This ratio is more effective in building up the blood pressure during the chest compressions. In terms of medication, the most important modification is the addition of amiodarone for persistent ventricular fibrillation.
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Pneumococcal pneumonia and bacteraemia are an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in a number of risk groups. On the basis of data from available literature, there is no convincing evidence that vaccination of such risk groups, including all people over 65, with a polyvalent vaccine of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides in addition to influenza vaccination offers any additional protection against the risk of acquiring pneumococcal pneumonia. There is adequate evidence that pneumococcal vaccination does protect against invasive infections and that in this respect vaccination of all elderly persons could be cost-effective. ⋯ Therefore a well-considered assessment of the cost-effectiveness of applying such a strategy in the Netherlands is not yet possible. Vaccination of (imminent) immuno-compromised persons is only effective and of value if an adequate antibody response can be expected. There is as yet no proven advantage of vaccination with a conjugate vaccine in adults.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Feb 2003
Review[Mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): lung protecting strategies for improved alveolar recruitment].
For patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) the most important objective of mechanical ventilation is opening and keeping open the alveoli to achieve adequate oxygenation, without further damaging the lungs or negatively affecting the circulation. Alveolar recruitment is achieved by making use of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). The best PEEP level is that with which the largest improvement in oxygen transport and lung compliance is achieved, without a decrease in the stroke volume of the left ventricle. ⋯ Ventilation in a prone position increases the end-expiratory lung volume and reduces the intrapulmonary shunt and the regional differences in the degree of ventilation. These factors possibly contribute to preventing ventilation-induced lung damage. Administration of natural surfactant during the ventilation of patients with ARDS seems to be a highly promising strategy; the clinical effectiveness still needs to be demonstrated.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Feb 2003
Review[Diagnosis of vegetative state as a basis for medical treatment on the borderline between life and death].
The term 'vegetative state' is most appropriate for the state which develops when patients open their eyes after a comatose phase, without regaining consciousness. The definition and the diagnostic criteria from the Multi Society Task Force on Persistent Vegetative State are usable for the clinical practice in the Netherlands. ⋯ To this end, a clinical assessment is recommended with reassessment and verification of the diagnosis at appropriate moments. Careful observation remains the fundamental to the diagnosis.