Rev Assoc Med Bras
-
Continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT) are commonly used in the majority of critically ill patients who need dialysis. Treatment success depends on an efficient anticoagulation protocol devised to maintain the dialysis circuit unclotted, with minimal complications such as bleeding due to excessive anticoagulation. Several features can contribute to dialysis circuit thrombosis, such as the speed of pump blood flow, dialysis catheter, type of dialyzer membrane and also, the type of technique prescribed. ⋯ Regional anticoagulation with UFH/protamin now has limited use because of side effects related to protamin. If the patient has contraindication to systemic anticoagulation or if regional anticoagulation with citrate is not available, continuous flushing of circuit dialysis with saline is the only applicable alternative. In patients with contraindication to heparinization, new drugs not yet available in Brazil, such as prostaglandins, recombinant hirudin, argatroban and nafamostat can be used.
-
To assess the effect of high-frequency ventilation (HFV) in children and adolescents with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) through estimates of survival rate and time of ventilation. To verify whether HFV can reduce the indication for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in children and adolescents with ARDS. ⋯ It was not possible to determine if use of HFV improves the survival rate of children and adolescent with ARDS. Regarding ventilation time, there is no study that confirms, with statistical significance, its increase or decrease. Whether HFV reduces indication of ECMO for children and adolescents with ARDS or not was also determined.
-
In the last years doctors have been the target of a growing number of civil, criminal law suits, as well as ethical procedures. Medicine is a widely targeted career, not only owing to its inherent risks, but also owing to a mistaken approach of the Judiciary Power about the obligations of medical doctors. Decisions of the Medical Board in ethical procedures have an impact in civil and criminal justice and therefore should be followed closely. ⋯ Good medical practice and a good medical-patient relationship are still the best ways to minimize lawsuits and their repercussions. Doctors should have some knowledge of juridical mechanisms in lawsuits and ethical procedures, but should not take defense initiatives without prior consultation of an attorney. Civil, criminal and ethical liability of physicians.