The role of the general practitioner in the early management of acute myocardial infarction

The recent literature on intensive coronary care units is briefly reviewed to show that much of the new knowledge should be applied by the general practitioner who is in the most important position, being the first doctor to see the patient. A much greater responsibility now rests on the GP whose attitude and management require considerable re-orientation.A regime for the use of lignocaine and atropine is suggested for the treatment of the minor premonitory arrhythmias in an attempt to prevent the fatal major arrythmias, which are mainly responsible for the high early death rate.By better appreciation of the emergency situation, better decision making and the application of a few therapeutic rules to prevent major arrythmias, it is hoped that the GP will play a major role in reducing the mortality of acute myocardial infarction

Variant (prinzmetal's) form of angina pectoris manifesting in complicating ventricular extrasystoles

A case of the variant (Prinzmetal's) atypical form of angina pectoris is presented. Secondary and primary changes affecting the S-T segment and T wave are discussed. The features were also present, and indeed more marked, in complicating ventricular extrasystoles, one of which reflected the infarction pattern.S. Afr. Med. J., 48. 1146 (1974)

The role of the General Practitioner in the early management of acute myocardial infarction

The recent literature on intensive coronary care units is briefly reviewed to show that much of the new knowledge should be applied by the general practitioner who is in the most important position, being the first doctor to see the patient. A much greater responsibility now rests on the GP whose attitude and management require  considerable re-orientation. A regime for the use of lignocaine and atropine is suggested for the treatment of the minor premonitory arrhythmias in an attempt to prevent the fatal major arrythmias, which are mainly responsible for the high early death rate. By better appreciation of the emergency situation, better decis:on making and the application of a few therapeutic rules to prevent major arrythmias, it is hoped that the GP will play a major role in reducing the mortality of acute myocardial infarctio

Family characteristics of Indian parasuicide patients : a controlled study

In this article a controlled study of the family structure of a South African Indian parasuicide population is described. Twenty subjects from a local general hospital were scored on the Suicidal Intent Scale (SIS) and the Family Assessment Device (FAD). Twenty matched medical patients without a history of parasuicide were selected from the same hospital as a control group. They were matched for age, sex, educational standard, ethnic group and socio-economic status. All subjects were scored on the Family Assessment Device (FAD). Subjects from both groups were re-tested between six to eight weeks after the initial assessment. Analyses of variance indicated significant differences between the two groups on indicators of family interactional pathology. This seems to be compounded by family stresses emanating from socio-cultural transition. The results of the study support the view that family therapy should be implemented in the treatment of parasuicide. The unique population under study provides cross-cultural data relevant to parasuicide research and invites possibilities for further investigationPeer reviewe