Position Paper: Gastric Lavage

Gastric lavage should not be employed routinely, if ever, in the management of poisoned patients. In experimental studies, the amount of marker removed by gastric lavage was highly variable and diminished with time. The results of clinical outcome studies in overdose patients are weighed heavily on the side of showing a lack of beneficial effect. Serious risks of the procedure include hypoxia, dysrhythmias, laryngospasm, perforation of the GI tract or pharynx, fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, and aspiration pneumonitis. Contraindications include loss of protective airway reflexes (unless the patient is first intubated tracheally), ingestion of a strong acid or alkali, ingestion of a hydrocarbon with a high aspiration potential, or risk of GI hemorrhage due to an underlying medical or surgical condition. A review of the 1997 Gastric Lavage Position Statement revealed no new evidence that would require a revision of the conclusions of the Statement.     

Impact of Xuezhikang on coronary events in hypertensive patients with previous myocardial infarction from the China Coronary Secondary Prevention Study (CCSPS)

Abstract

Background. The lowering of cholesterol concentrations in individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease improves clinical outcome. Xuezhikang has a marked impact on lipids.

Methods. In this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial, a total of 2704 hypertensive patients with previous myocardial infarction (MI) were assigned either to placebo (n = 1341) or to Xuezhikang (0.6 g twice daily, n = 1363) for an average of 4.5 years. The primary end-point was recurrent coronary events; the secondary end-point was all-cause mortality and other clinical events, including adverse effects.

Results. There were no differences between the Xuezhikang and placebo group in base-line characteristics. However, Xuezhikang treatment reduced the incidence of coronary events by 43.0% (P = 0.02), deaths from coronary heart disease (CHD) by 30.0% (P < 0.01), and all-cause mortality by 35.8% (P = 0.001).

Conclusions. This study, for the first time, demonstrated that long-term Xuezhikang therapy resulted in significant reduction in cardiovascular events and death in Chinese hypertensive patients with previous MI in a safe manner.     

Redefining Residential: Family-Driven Care in Residential Treatment—Family Members Speak

This is the sixth in a series of papers issued by the American Association of Children's Residential Centers (AACRC) regarding emerging and best practices in the field of residential treatment for children, youth, and families. AACRC is a long standing national association focused exclusively on practice and policy issues related to the provision of residential treatment. The “Redefining Residential” series is an effort by the Association to stimulate dialogue that can lead to more effective use of this critical and specialized resource in communities around the country.     

A randomised trial of nursing interventions supporting recovery of the postmastectomy patient

Aims and objectives. This ABC to recovery study evaluated the combined and separate components of preoperative education and the effectiveness of wearing the Papilla Gown. Background. Surgical removal of the breast may lead to activity limitation, self‐image issues, discomfort and later complication of lymphoedema. Design. This study used experimental and longitudinal design. Methods. One hundred and forty‐five women undergoing mastectomies for stages two and three breast cancer were randomised into four groups: education and Papilla Gown, education only, gown only and control. The outcomes of activity (A), body image (B), comfort (C), knowledge and lymphoedema were assessed at baseline and/or 1 week and 6 months using three measures. All 145 participants completed the study questionnaires at first two measures, and forty‐six of these participants completed the questionnaires at 6 months postoperatively. The setting for the study included two clinics and hospitals. To examine statistical significance at each time point after surgery, 2‐way anova s were performed on ABC, knowledge and tape measurement to see whether there were any statistically significant differences between the four groups. All reported p‐values are two sided. All statistical analyses were performed using sas 9.2 for Windows. Results. The mean age of the sample was 55 years. The study revealed that women who received the combined intervention demonstrated greater activity. Women who wore the gown only had a greater comfort level and decreased lymphoedema. Women that received preoperative education experienced increased knowledge. Conclusions. Outcomes suggest that the combined intervention (ABCs to recovery) can improve recovery following mastectomy. Relevance to clinical practice. The results will be used to further modify the intervention and to increase awareness of nurse practitioners and other healthcare professionals of the specific needs of postmastectomy patients.     

~(99m)锝腮腺动态显像对舍格伦综合征的诊断价值

目的 探讨＾９９ｍ锝腮腺动态显像对诊断舍格伦征的价值。方法 应用＾９９ｍ锝对临床诊断为舍格伦综合征的５２例患者进行腮腺动态显像,将所得的结果应用计算机ＲＯＩ程序进行定量分析和动态曲线分析,结果 腮腺外形较正常大者４６例（８８．４％）肿大腮腺轮廓清晰２８例（５３．８５％）轮廓模糊１８例（３４．６２％）腮腺功能正常７例（１３．４６％）轻度受损１５例（２８．８４％）中８度受损１７例（３２．６９％）,重度     

携Sialyl Lewis^X超声微泡靶向探查缺血心肌的炎症分子“印记”

目的探讨应用靶向超声分子成像探查心肌缺血再灌注损伤炎症“印记”的可行性。方法采用“亲和素-生物素”桥接法构建携唾液酸化路易斯（Sibyl Lewis^X）靶向超声微泡（MBsLex）和同型对照微泡（MBc）。10只心肌缺血再灌注小鼠随机先后注入MBsLex和MBc（间隔30min）,分别于注入5min后行心肌对比超声检查,测量心肌缺血区和非缺血区的声强度（Ⅵ）。结果对比超声图像显示MBsLex组缺血区心肌造影见显著增强,Ⅵ值高达23．52±1．08,而在MBc组缺血区心肌造影仅见轻度增强,Ⅵ缸为9．81±0．41,两者之间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。但无论MBsLex组还是MBc组,缺血区心肌Ⅵ值均明显高于非缺血区心肌Ⅵ值（P〈0．05）。两组非缺血区心肌之间Ⅵ值未见明显差异。结论应用携sLex超声微泡行对比超声能够靶向探查心肌缺血再灌注损伤的炎症“印记”。