Articles: patients.
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J. Thromb. Thrombolysis · Jan 1995
Thrombolysis in Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock.
The adverse impact of the development of cardiogenic shock in the setting of acute myocardial infarction was first described by Killip and Kimball in 1967. While the in-hospital mortality rate in patients with myocardial infarction and no evidence of heart failure was only 6%, the mortality rate in those patients who developed cardiogenic shock was 81%. Despite advances in cardiovascular care and therapy since that initial report, including universal institution of cardiac care units, advances in hemodynamic monitoring, new inotropic and vasodilating agents, and even increasing utilization of thrombolytic therapy, the mortality from acute myocardial infarction, when complicated by cardiogenic shock, remains disturbingly high, and cardiogenic shock remains the leading cause of death of hospitalized patients following acute myocardial infarction. ⋯ These low perfusion rates may, in part, be explained by decreased coronary blood flow and perfusion pressure in patients with left ventricular pump failure. Although promising as adjunctive therapy, it is unclear whether institution of balloon counterpulsation has any long-term benefit in patients with cardiogenic shock treated with thrombolytic therapy. Whether other or additional interventions, such as coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), decrease mortality rates in patients with cardiogenic shock remains to be determined.
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Unilateral oval pupil has numerous causes, and several pathophysiologic mechanisms have been proposed. Prognosis is nearly universally poor. ⋯ Both patients recovered. The prognosis for comatose patients with unilateral oval pupil is not universally poor.
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J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · Jan 1995
Prognostic significance of ST-segment depression on continuous electrocardiography in patients with acute ischemic neurologic events.
Patients with a history of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) are at significant risk of cardiac death. This study reports the prognostic significance of ST-segment depression and ventricular tachycardia on continuous electrocardiography in 48 consecutive patients hospitalized with an acute ischemic stroke or TIA. Thirty-one percent of patients had episodes of asymptomatic ST-segment depression and 6% had transient ventricular tachycardia on continuous electrocardiographic monitoring. ⋯ However, ventricular tachycardia was associated with a higher rate of cardiac death (33% vs. 2%, p < 0.01). Only 27% of patients subsequently found to have coronary artery disease had ST-segment depression by continuous electrocardiography. In contrast to patients with coronary artery disease, ST-segment depression on continuous electrocardiography is not associated with poorer outcome among patients with acute ischemic stroke or TIA.
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Perspect. Biol. Med. · Jan 1995
Review Historical ArticleThe evolution of informed consent in American medicine.
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This is the first case report of a patient self-administering local anaesthetics to painful peripheral nerves in the face. Severe chronic pain of neuropathic origin was caused by a trauma of the face and head following a traffic accident 20 years ago. The patient himself chose the method of self-injection for pain control. He applies the local anaesthetic bupivacaine with an insulin syringe while looking in a mirror.