Impact of a well-organized collaborative team approach on mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Objective: Fibrinolytic therapy remains a legitimate option for many patients presenting with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Shorter time- to- treatment for patients with STEMI administered fibrinolytic therapy has repeatedly been shown to reduce mortality. A well-organized collaborative team approach was implemented in April 2007. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of implementing a well-organized collaborative team approach on the outcome in patients with acute STEMI treated with fibrinolysis. Methods: Sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and time interval data were prospectively collected on 109 consecutive patients (the study group) and 155 patients from the years 2005-2007 (the control group) retrospectively. A single-phone call was made to discuss case. Emergency department evaluation was bypassed for definitive case. An electrocardiogram was faxed to the on-call cardiologist for suspected case. Doorto-needle times were calculated as medians. Mortality was assessed by reviewing records of all patients visiting outpatient clinic. For the rest, information was obtained over the phone. Median door-to-needle times were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. The Fisher's exact test was used to compare 6-month mortalities. Results: Improvements were seen in door-to- needle times in the study group regardless of time of presentation (reduced from 59 minutes to 29 minutes during off hours) (reduced from 35 minutes to 18 minutes during regular hours) (p<0.0001). Mortality was significantly reduced in the study group (2 deaths, 1.8%) compared with the control group (12 deaths, 7.7%, p=0.048). Conclusion: The mortality of patients presenting with acute STEMI treated with fibrinolytic therapy was significantly reduced after optimal hospital organization. © 2010 by AVES Yayi{dotless}nci{dotless}li{dotless}k Ltd

Ruptured Profunda Femoris Aneurysm Secondary to Neurofibromatosis: Vascular Involvement in an Unusual Location

Neurofibromatosis is an autosomal dominant genetic disease characterized by abnormal growth that involves tissues of mesodermal and neuroectodermal origin. Aneurysms are rarely seen in peripheral arteries. This report presents a case of ruptured arterial aneurysm secondary to neurofibromatosis; the lesion occurred in the profunda femoris artery, a highly unusual location. Treatment of patients with ruptured arterial aneurysm secondary to neurofibromatosis may be interventional or surgical. In this case, a surgical approach was successful

The effect of virtual reality on pain, fear and emotional appearance during blood draw in pediatric patients at the hematology-oncology outpatient clinic: A randomized controlled study

Objective: Invasive attempts can be very painful and stressful for pediatric patients. Virtual Reality (VR) can be used to distract patients undergoing such procedures in pediatric hematology oncology patients. Methods: A parallel trial design approach was adopted for this randomized controlled trial, guided by the CONSORT checklist. The study sample (n = 69) was divided into a VR group (n = 34) and a control group (n = 35) using stratified randomization. For the blood draw attempt, no distraction method was applied to the control group, while the children in the VR group were distracted from the procedure with the Epic Roller Coasters VR application. The primary variable assessed was pain, while secondary variables were fear and emotional appearance. The scores of emotional appearance, fear, and pain were compared with a Mann-Whitney U Test. Results: The pre-procedure emotional appearance score was 11.3 ± 4.3 in the VR group and 11.0 ± 5.0 in the control group, and the post-procedure score was 6.5 ± 3.3 in the VR group and 11.8 ± 5.3 in the control group, indicating a difference in emotional appearance after the procedure. VR group had lower negative emotional appearance, lower pain, and lower fear scores after procedure compared to the control group. Conclusion: VR can be considered an effective approach to reducing the negative emotional appearance and for relieving pain and fear in children aged 4–12 years undergoing blood draw procedures in pediatric hematology and oncology outpatient unit (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05675358)