Shared care: a review of the literature

This review examines broad issues of concern regarding the primary/secondarycare interface. The main purpose was to identify areas of goodpractice which could be adapted for more general use. One ofthe most fundamental aspects identified was communication, whichis discussed in some detail. Also covered are shared prescribingand disease management. The data suggest that the most effectivesystem(s) of shared care has yet to be established. Furtherqualitative and economic evaluations are required, taking intoaccount patient preferences. Although the literature does describecertain practice exemplars, it is clear that inter- and intra-professionalcommunication continues to be a problem. Whilst informationtechnology may provide some of the solutions, it is concludedthat a culture change, which compels health professionals tomake sharing of patient information a much higher priority,is reauired. Keywords. Shared care, seamless care, hospital, general practice, family practice.     

Intracerebral hemorrhage after carotid endarterectomy

A series of 14 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage after carotid endarterectomy is reviewed. This complication occurred in 0.6% of 2362 consecutive carotid endarterectomies performed at the Mayo Clinic from 1972 through 1986. All hemorrhages occurred within the first 2 weeks after operation and were ipsilateral to the side of the operation. Eight patients died, and only two made a good recovery. Significant risk factors are hypertension and chronic hemispheric hypoperfusion with impaired autoregulation. The "normal pressure-hyperperfusion breakthrough" syndrome was considered to be operative in 12 of the 14 patients. Nine patients had documented hyperperfusion (at least 100% increase of baseline cerebral blood flow) at the time of surgery. In an additional three patients, normal perfusion-pressure breakthrough was inferred by the clinical course and radiological findings, as well as by the absence of alternative explanations. Patients at risk for postendarterectomy intracerebral hemorrhage include those who have a clinical history suggestive of hemodynamic cerebral ischemia, severe carotid stenosis with limited hemispheric collateral flow, and postendarterectomy hyperperfusion, as measured by intraoperative cerebral blood flow. To minimize the risk of hemorrhage in these patients, strict maintenance of blood pressure at normotensive or even relatively hypotensive levels during the intraoperative and early postoperative periods is advised.     

Normal perfusion pressure breakthrough complicating surgery for the vein of Galen malformation: report of three cases

Three cases are described of infants who developed malignant brain swelling (and in one case hemorrhage) after surgery for vein of Galen malformations. The cause for the brain swelling was felt to be due to hyperperfusion, or the "normal perfusion pressure breakthrough" syndrome. Although well-described for cerebral parenchymal arteriovenous malformations, cases of this complication occurring in vein of Galen malformations have not previously been reported. It is concluded from these cases that infants with large arteriovenous shunts, as attested by cardiac failure and cerebral atrophy, have an increased risk of developing this complication.     

Recurrence of duodenal ulcer and Campylobacter pylori infection after eradication

The role of Campylobacter pylori gastritis in dyspepsia could be clarified more readily if reliable eradication therapy were available. Antibiotic monotherapy and combined therapy with an antibiotic agent plus a bismuth compound have yielded poor long-term results. In this study, bismuth-tetracycline-metronidazole triple therapy has been used to eradicate C. pylori infection in 100 consecutive patients who were suffering from either a duodenal ulcer or non-ulcer dyspepsia. Examination of a follow-up endoscopic biopsy at eight weeks after treatment showed an eradication rate of C. pylori of 94%. Of 64 patients whose biopsy samples were free of C. pylori infection at eight weeks and who were available for reassessment, 60 (94%) patients had samples that remained free of C. pylori infection on examination of a repeat endoscopic biopsy at 12-37 months (mean, 19.3 months). It is concluded that "triple chemotherapy" can achieve long-term eradication of C. pylori infection effectively in the majority of treated patients and that the recurrence of duodenal ulcers thus may be diminished.     

Subjective profile of phenylpropanolamine: absence of stimulant or euphorigenic effects at recommended dose levels

A total of 837 healthy volunteers presenting with various degrees of obesity participated in a large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the subjective effects of phenylpropanolamine (PPA), with particular attention to measurement of the euphoriant or stimulant potential of therapeutic doses of the compound. Dosage forms studied were PPA 75 mg sustained release, PPA 25 mg, and placebo. Subjects were recruited from four independent clinical sites. At each site, subjects were stratified according to degree of overweight (normal, mildly overweight, moderately overweight, or severely overweight) and randomly assigned to one of the three drug treatment regimens. Subjective effects were measured 11 times during the 12-hour experimental session using a short-form version of the Addiction Research Center Inventory. Data analysis did not indicate discernible subjective effects that would differentiate PPA from placebo, but did show typical circadian fluctuations. These results provided evidence that therapeutic doses of PPA do not produce the euphoriant or "stimulant" subjective effects that characterize drugs of abuse.     

Effect of margins of excision on recurrence after local excision of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

AIMS: To determine important factors influencing recurrence after local excision of duct carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The extent (size) in millimetres, classification (by cytonuclear grade (NHSBSP system), by extent of necrosis, and by the Van Nuys system), and excision margins of 115 cases of screen detected DCIS treated by local excision were measured. A prognostic index was calculated by the addition of the Van Nuys classification (low grade, 1; moderate grade, 2; high grade, 3), margin score (> or = 10 mm, 1; 1-9 mm, 2; < 1 mm, 3), and size score (< or = 15 mm, 1; 16-40 mm, 2; and > or = 41 mm, 3), giving a total score of 3-9. RESULTS: Classification using cytonuclear grade, extent of necrosis, or the Van Nuys system did not correlate significantly with recurrence. The excision margin (in millimetres) was associated with recurrence (p = 0.027) and if excision margin status was simplified using the scoring system (> or = 10 mm, 1; 1-9 mm, 2; < 1 mm, 3), the margin score was significantly associated with recurrence (p = 0.03). A prognostic index based on the Van Nuys score, margin status, and size was significantly associated with recurrence (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The results support the hypothesis that the margin of excision is the most important factor predicting the recurrence of DCIS after local excision.     

Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of herpes simplex virus antigen.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for herpes simplex virus developed by Ortho Diagnostic Systems, Inc., was evaluated. In phase I experiments, 263 clinical specimens from genital lesions were extracted into serum-free medium and then tested by ELISA for herpes simplex virus antigen. The results were compared with those obtained by conventional viral culture. Of 83 specimens, 65 were positive by ELISA (sensitivity, 78.3%). In phase II experiments, 249 clinical specimens were tested for herpes simplex virus antigen in direct specimen and in cell cultures (MRC-5 and rabbit kidney) incubated for 2, 4, and 7 days. Of 63 specimens, 40 were positive by ELISA in the direct specimen (sensitivity, 63.5%), and by 7 days incubation, 100% of the cultures positive by viral cell culture were also positive by ELISA. The ELISA was reproducible, and when both the direct detection and amplification culture were used, the sensitivity of ELISA paralleled the diagnosis of herpes simplex virus infections by viral cytopathic effect.