Faster weaning enhances patient care
SmartCare, a software solution from Dräger Medical could cut the time of a weaning process by around 50%.
Coronary artery disease in diabetes mellitus
Recent advances in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may offer a new approach to treating this complex group of patients.
Measuring hospital performance
His professional experience and research cover clinical performance measurement, disease-specific and patient-level clinical performance indicators, performance improvement, statistical process control, international health systems.
New link between gum and cardiovascular diseases
Researchers at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) found out that patients with generalised aggressive periodontitis generally had elevated plasma levels.
Carotid stenting: "a feeding frenzy"
Vascular experts urge caution over stent lacement to prevent stroke.
OPINION
Across Europe there are different answers to the question of who should manage intensive care. In Germany the issue is linked to a discussion on which medical field could claim surgical intensive care for itself.
Text messaging beats missed appointments
UK - Patients who miss medical appointments cost the country's National Health Service (NHS) around £575 million annually.
Rapid growth in wearable wireless monitoring
Wireless networking, already widely adopted by healthcare facilities across Germany, France and the United Kingdom, is set for "rapid growth", according to a report by the global market consultancy firm Frost & Sullivan (F&S). More emphasis on home care, plus heightened awareness of the benefits of remote monitoring, and technological developments that improve patient…
Percutaneous therapy for pelvic fractures
Fractures and disruptions of the pelvic ring are most often unstable, and can therefore jeopardise patients' standing and walking functions.
Intra-operative imaging in modern neurosurgery
The brain has few anatomical landmarks. During surgery it is critical that the neurosurgeon knows the exact locality of surgical instruments in relation to important brain structures. Thus neuronavigation systems have become standard tools for planning and guidance.
A percutaneous dilation tracheostomy kit
Tracoe experc kit, designed for percutaneous dilation tracheostomy, is based on the established Ciaglia technique with single step dilation.
European transplants society says organ supply must increase
The European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) - Europe's leading transplant society - has called for the universal backing of new schemes to safely and ethically increase donor organ numbers.
Diseased heart pumps effectively after 10-year rest
UK - Ten years ago a donor heart was transplanted into a 2-year-old patient, suffering cardiomyopathy, to take over the function of her own enlarged and failing heart. However, unlike many transplant cases - her own heart was not removed.
Tissue engineering in paediatric cardiac surgery
When heart valves need replacing mechanical or biological heart valves are usually used. Both have disadvantages: Mechanical prostheses promote the development of blood clots so that patients need anticoagulant treatment for their lifetime.
Firemen to treat emergency cardiac cases
UK - Fire-fighters are being trained to assess possible cardiac patients in emergencies, and to use automatic defibrillators and oxygen therapy.
GGT level proves a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease
A connection has been discovered between raised levels of the liver enzyme Gamma-Glutamyl-Transferase (GGT) and the probability of death from diseases of the cardiovascular system or strokes.
Regular intake of NSAIDs reduces breast cancer risk
USA - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could reduce the risk for breast cancer by 71%, according to recent studies published in the journal BMC Cancer. In colorectal cancer, these protective features of painkillers have already been known to exist for a while.
Into the breast's depths
USA - Radiologists at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, Massachusetts have released findings from a breast cancer research study designed to evaluate the use of software from Advanced Image Enhancement, Inc (AIE) for examining regions of interest (ROI) with Hologic's Lorad Selenia digital mammography system.
MDS assures greater care
Germany - PG 11 - a new product group added to the medical technical aids register* relates to decubitus aids.
Bird flu vaccine production to be based in CR
Czech Republic - The US firm Baxter International Inc. is to establish a production facility to produce a quite unique vaccine in CR. First discussed in December 2005, the plan appears to have made a significant step forward. Baxter specialises in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, and globally employs around 48,000 people in 64 manufacturing facilities, which include those in…
Teamwork and the Future of Intensive Care Medicine
The 26th International Symposium of Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine in Brussels: A resumee.
Seeking a compatible heart
Transplant surgeons use checklists to establish whether donor and recipient hearts are compatible - almost like people looking for suitable partners.
Digital operating theatres
World renowned for audio, video, communications and information technology products used for entertainment as well as business communications, Sony has continued to utilise and develop that technological expertise to take an increasing role in operating theatres.
AEIOU
A Web guide for mechanical ventilation in anaesthesia, intensive care and emergency medicine.
Controversy
The question of who should manage intensive care was hotly debated at the 35th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (GSTCVS); not always essentially, frequently aggressively, sometimes even insulting says EH Correspondent Holger Zorn