Assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in northern KwaZulu-Natal: an observational cohort study.

Background: Recent malaria epidemics in KwaZulu-Natal indicate that effective anti-malarial therapy is essential for malaria control. Although artemether-lumefantrine has been used as first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in northern KwaZulu-Natal since 2001, its efficacy has not been assessed since 2002. The objectives of this study were to quantify the proportion of patients treated for uncomplicated P.

Malaria deaths as sentinel events to monitor healthcare delivery and antimalarial drug safety.

Objectives: To identify case management, health system and antimalarial drug factors contributing to malaria deaths.

Method: We investigated malaria-related deaths in South Africa's three malaria endemic provinces from January 2002 to July 2004. Data from healthcare facility records and a semi-structured interview with patients' contacts were reviewed by an expert panel, which sought to reach consensus on factors contributing to the death.

Femoro-distal bypass surgery at Groote Schuur hospital--4-year retrospective study.

Unlabelled: An analysis of the demographics and outcome of femoro-distal bypass in patients presenting with defined critical limb ischaemia at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, is presented.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review was conducted between January 1998 and December 2001. During this period, 65 patients underwent femoro-distal bypass.

Should knee-length replace thigh-length graduated compression stockings in the prevention of deep-vein thrombosis?

Objective: To compare knee-length with thigh-length graduated compression stockings for correct application and rate of compliance when they are prescribed for the prevention of deep-vein thrombosis in surgical patients.

Methodology: Patients who were prescribed graduated compression stockings were prospectively studied in three surgical units at Groote Schuur Hospital from February to June 1997. Knee-length stockings were prescribed in the colorectal unit, while the thigh-length variety were prescribed in the hepatobiliary and trauma units.

Functional entrapment of the popliteal artery.

A case of functional entrapment missed at the initial angiogram is presented. The imaging of popliteal artery entrapment syndrome and functional entrapment is discussed. The importance of appropriate imaging is emphasized.