Trending Articles
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Comparative Study
Diagnostic CT scans: assessment of patient, physician, and radiologist awareness of radiation dose and possible risks.
To determine the awareness level concerning radiation dose and possible risks associated with computed tomographic (CT) scans among patients, emergency department (ED) physicians, and radiologists. ⋯ Patients are not given information about the risks, benefits, and radiation dose for a CT scan. Patients, ED physicians, and radiologists alike are unable to provide accurate estimates of CT doses regardless of their experience level.
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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Feb 2008
Case ReportsCreation of a self-made total artificial heart using combined components of available ventricular assist devices.
We describe the case of a 39-year-old woman who received a self-made total artificial heart built of components from the Thoratec and ExCor Berlin Heart systems. The patient had a severe aortic/myocardial infection following replacement of the ascending aorta with a Shelhigh conduit due to type A aortic dissection. The surgical technique is described in detail in this article. This technique is feasible if a total artificial heart is not available and implantation of a biventricular assist device is not possible.
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The impact of lymphocyte and immunoglobulin loss on immunologic status has not been extensively studied in children with chylothorax. The purpose of this study was to evaluate immunologic profile of pediatric cardiosurgical patients who developed infection while suffering from prolonged postoperative chylothorax. ⋯ Persisting chylothorax results in B-cell and T-cell lymphopenia with proportional decline of CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Hypogammaglobulinemia observed in other studies has not been detected in this series probably due to administered plasma. Effects of these immunologic alterations on development of infection are unknown (Tab. 2, Ref. 13).
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Case Reports
Case report: severe myoclonus associated with oral midodrine treatment for hypotension.
Midodrine is widely used in the treatment of hypotensive states, there have been no reports of myoclonus associated with midodrine use in hypotension with chronic kidney disease. ⋯ Oral midodrine is widely used in the treatment of orthostatic hypotension, recurrent reflex syncope and dialysis-associated hypotension and the adverse effects are mostly mild. However, clinicians should be alert for midodrine-induced myoclonus, especially in patients with CKD.