Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2020
Case ReportsBeneficial effect of awake prone position in hypoxaemic patients with COVID-19: case reports and literature review.
We hereby present two case reports of moderate coronavirus disease patients, suffering from profound hypoxaemia, further deteriorating later on. A schedule pre-planned awake prone position manoeuvres were executed during their hospital stay. Following this, the patients' saturation improved, later to be weaned from oxygen support. Paucity of evidence and data regarding this topic led us to review the concept of awake prone position.
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2020
Decreases in cardiac catheter laboratory workload during the COVID-19 level 4 lockdown in New Zealand.
An increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections prompted Level 4 lockdown throughout New Zealand from 25 March 2020. We have investigated trends in coronary and electrophysiology (EP) procedures before and during this lockdown. ⋯ In contrast, the number of in-patient angiograms and percutaneous intervention procedures fell by 53% compared with the previous 4 weeks in 2020 and by 56% compared with the corresponding period in 2019. Further study is required to determine the reasons for these trends.
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2020
Advance care planning in Australia during the COVID-19 outbreak: now more important than ever.
The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has led to rapid and profound changes in healthcare system delivery and society more broadly. Older adults, and those living with chronic or life-limiting conditions, are at increased risk of experiencing severe or critical symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection and are more likely to die. They may also experience non-COVID-19 related deterioration in their health status during this period. ⋯ This paper outlines a number of key reasons why ACP is an urgent priority, and should form a part of the health system's COVID-19 response strategy. These include reducing the need for rationing, planning for surges in healthcare demand, respecting human rights, enabling proactive care coordination and leveraging societal change. We conclude with key recommendations for policy and practice in the system-wide implementation of ACP, to enable a more ethical, coordinated and person-centred response in the COVID-19 context.
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2020
Predictive Value of Soluble Suppression of Tumorigenicity 2 on Myocardial Reperfusion.
High baseline level of soluble suppression of tumourigenicity 2 (sST2) was an independent predictor of cardiovascular death and heart failure in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). ⋯ The elevated levels of sST2 on admission were associated with impaired myocardial reperfusion in STEMI patients undergoing PPCI.