Articles: function.
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Pain interventionists can interrupt pain through anesthetic blockade of neural transmission to virtually any part of the body. Temporary pain relief can be achieved by the direct application of targeted anesthetic. Diagnostically, nerve blocks help identify specific pain generators, refine differential diagnosis, and disrupt the neural transmission mechanisms to stop pain generation peripherally. ⋯ This study's results support the hypothesis that a combined interventional and cognitive motivational counseling treatment program can be effective in decreasing spine pain, reducing prescription pain medication use, and improving overall quality of life in chronic spine pain patients.
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J Shoulder Elbow Surg · May 2015
The long-term outcome of displaced mid-third clavicle fractures on scapular and shoulder function: variations between immediate surgery, delayed surgery, and nonsurgical management.
Conservative management for uncomplicated displaced clavicle fractures is common practice. Delay of surgical fixation may result in less favorable outcomes. ⋯ We support the conservative management of uncomplicated displaced clavicle fractures but recognize that a lower threshold for early surgery should be considered where optimal shoulder function is required.
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Due to a huge increase in the implantation of ventricular assist devices (VAD) over the last few years and the enormous technical advances in functional safety, a growing number of patients with VAD are discharged from hospital, who are still considered to be severely ill. This results in an increased probability of these patients interacting with emergency services where personnel are unaware of the presence of a VAD, creating anxiety and uncertainty regarding how to treat these patients. This article presents an overview of the most common problems and pitfalls regarding VADs. It also presents an algorithm for dealing with emergencies involving these patients including the diagnostics, treatment and primary transport.
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Critical care medicine · May 2015
Enhanced Perfusion During Advanced Life Support Improves Survival With Favorable Neurologic Function in a Porcine Model of Refractory Cardiac Arrest.
To improve the likelihood for survival with favorable neurologic function after cardiac arrest, we assessed a new advanced life support approach using active compression-decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation plus an intrathoracic pressure regulator. ⋯ Advanced life support with active compression-decompression plus intrathoracic pressure regulator significantly improved cerebral perfusion and 24-hour survival with favorable neurologic function. These findings support further evaluation of this new advanced life support methodology in humans.