[In-hospital cardiac arrest and basic life support].

Survival of in-hospital cardiac arrests is still as low as 15-35%. Healthcare workers should closely monitor patients' vital signs, notice any deterioration, and initiate the necessary actions to prevent cardiac arrest. The introduction of early warning sign protocols (including the monitoring of respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, pulse, blood pressure, consciousness, etc.

[Out-of-hospital adult basic life support: new guidelines and the involvement of bystanders].

Survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remains low across Europe. In the last decade, involving bystanders turned out to be one of the most important key factors in improving the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Beside recognizing cardiac arrest and initiate chest compressions, bystanders could be also involved in delivering early defibrillation.

[The role of bystander resuscitation in the survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests].

Sudden cardiac death is one of the leading causes of mortality in developed countries. When happens only immediate action can save the patient's life. A rather simple sequence of interventions (CPR - cardiopulmonary resuscitation) by the bystander witnessing the collapse could significantly increase the chance of survival yet it happens less than in half of the cases.

Current practice and perspective of hands-free defibrillation in Hungary - Investigating the obstacles of implementation.

Defibrillation with self-adhesive pads is the gold standard method during resuscitation as it allows minimal interruptions of chest compressions. Unfortunately, the implementation of the new recommendations often requires the purchase of new equipment. We have conducted a nationwide survey by telephone interviews with senior clinicians in order to investigate the current position of the implementation and to identify possible obstacles.

Shortening the length of stay and mechanical ventilation time by using positive suggestions via MP3 players for ventilated patients.

Long stay in intensive care unit (ICU) and prolonged ventilation are deleterious for subsequent quality of life and surcharge financial capacity. We have already demonstrated the beneficial effects of using suggestive communication on recovery time during intensive care. The aim of our present study was to prove the same effects with standardized positive suggestive message delivered by an MP3 player.

Primary cardiac tumor identified as the cause of seizure.

A 65-year-old woman presented to the emergency department after a seizure. An unexplained bradycardia and heart murmur were detected and an emergency bedside echocardiography was performed. This revealed a mass in the left atrium.

[Psychologists working as members of the intensive care team could reduce the length of stay].

Unlabelled: Both short and long term outcome of mechanically ventilated patients are dependent on the time spent on ventilator and on the intensive care unit. Health related quality of life of the survival of intensive care has been proved to be related with the physical and psychological effects of the intensive care itself. In our previous multicenter randomized trial we have demonstrated the effect of psychological support delivered at the time of intensive care.

Allergic hemiglossitis as a unique case of food allergy: a case report.

Introduction: A unique case of topical food allergy is presented with unilateral swelling of the tongue with ulceration. Only one similar case has been reported in 1972.

Case Presentation: 76 years old female patient presented at the Emergency Department with a unilateral painful swelling and ulcerations of the tongue after eating mint chocolate.

Determinant role of education in the ethical aspects of resuscitation: a German/Hungarian comparison.

Unlabelled: Introduction, objectives: Bioethical principles concerning Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) orders are connected significantly with education according to our previous investigation. In order to confirm the hypothesis, Hungarian results were compared with the data gained from a highly qualified homogeneous group of German doctors, showing similar cultural traditions.

Methods: The questionnaire investigated the factors influencing DNAR orders as functions of intensive medical experience, ideological view and professional education, using a 5-point visual analogue scale.

Ethical considerations behind the limitation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Hungary--the role of education and training.

Introduction: Although the long term success of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is still less than hoped for, its value cannot be questioned when carried out appropriately in selected cases. Resuscitation frequently brings only short-term success, and several patients suffer severe consequences also causing an economic, medical and ethical burden to society. The issue of limitation of resuscitation, including Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) and the termination of resuscitation has been surveyed in many European countries using a structured questionnaire.