Swiss medical weekly
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Transient global amnesia (TGA) is characterised by the sudden occurrence of amnesia while lacking other neurological symptoms. Complete remission occurs within 24 hours. The pathogenesis remains unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of TGA in a primary referral hospital in Uster, Switzerland and examine the accuracy of the diagnostic procedure and outcome. ⋯ TGA is a syndrome of which emergency physicians should be aware. The diagnosis is made clinically and the prognosis is good, although relapses may occur. Missed diagnoses may lead to uncertainty in patients and their relatives.
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Swiss medical weekly · Mar 2009
ReviewTherapeutical options for the treatment of Cheyne-Stokes respiration.
The awareness of Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) and of the co-existence of the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and central breathing disturbances has rapidly grown in recent years. CSR is defined by a waxing and waning pattern of the breathing amplitude. Sleep related breathing disorders in patients with heart failure are associated with impaired clinical outcome and survival. ⋯ There is a lack of evidence on the use of bilevel devices in CSR. However, ASV has proven both to effectively treat CSR and to be superior to CPAP in respiratory and sleep parameters in short term and medium term studies. Nevertheless, data on the long term use and the influence on cardiac parameters are necessary.