Hospital medicine (London, England : 1998)
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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a proven therapy for severe neonatal respiratory failure. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for older children and adults who are failing to respond to maximal conventional therapy is more controversial, but survival figures of 50-80% can be obtained, in patients with an expected survival of 0-20% with conventional treatment.
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Acute compartment syndrome is a potentially devastating condition which may arise as a complication of a tibial diaphyseal fracture. Early diagnosis and treatment are of tantamount importance in preventing the devastating complications of this condition. Compartment monitoring is of key importance in early diagnosis and significantly reduces the complication rate.
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Clonidine is an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist which has been used for over 20 years to treat hypertension. It has recently, however, found a new and possibly significant role in anaesthesia and the treatment of pain. This article discusses the premedicant, perioperative and postoperative uses of clonidine.
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Acute liver failure often requires input from physicians, anaesthetists and surgeons. Use of artificial liver systems may change the management of this condition and improve the prognosis when there is no liver transplantation. This article looks at the diverse aetiology of acute liver failure, and outlines current management, work with artificial liver systems and new surgical approaches.