Oxygen accumulation and associated dangers in rescue helicopters.

Background: At the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, devastating incidents increased due to frequent oxygen administration to patients. The dangers associated with the use of oxygen, especially through local enrichments and formation of "oxygen clouds", have been well understood for years. Nevertheless, dramatic incidents continue to occur, since fire hazard increases exponentially with oxygen concentrations above 23%.

Oxygenation Performance of Different Non-Invasive Devices for Treatment of Decompression Illness and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

Application of high concentrations of oxygen to increase oxygen partial pressure (pO2) is the most important treatment for patients with carbon monoxide intoxication or divers with suspected decompression illness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxygenation performance of various non-invasive oxygen systems. The effect of different oxygen systems on arterial pO2, pCO2 and pH and their subjective comfort was evaluated in 30 healthy participants.

Cardiopulmonary recovery after COVID-19: an observational prospective multicentre trial.

Background: After the 2002/2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak, 30% of survivors exhibited persisting structural pulmonary abnormalities. The long-term pulmonary sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are yet unknown, and comprehensive clinical follow-up data are lacking.

Methods: In this prospective, multicentre, observational study, we systematically evaluated the cardiopulmonary damage in subjects recovering from COVID-19 at 60 and 100 days after confirmed diagnosis.

Livedo Racemosa - The Pathophysiology of Decompression-Associated Cutis Marmorata and Right/Left Shunt.

Decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism, collectively known as decompression illness (DCI), are serious medical conditions that can result from compressed gas diving. DCI can present with a wide range of physiologic and neurologic symptoms. In diving medicine, skin manifestations are usually described in general as cutis marmorata (CM).

Systemic inflammation as fuel for acute liver injury in COVID-19.

Background: A cytokine storm conceivably contributes to manifestations of corona virus disease (COVID-19). Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) cause acute liver injury while serum detectability indicates systemic inflammation.

Aims: We explored a link between systemic IL-6, related acute phase proteins and liver injury in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Liver stiffness by transient elastography accompanies illness severity in COVID-19.

Objective: Severe liver damage is associated with worse outcome in COVID-19. Our aim was to explore the degree of liver damage, liver stiffness (LS) and severity of illness in patients with COVID-19.

Design: We investigated 32 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the University Hospital of Innsbruck in a prospective cross-sectional study.

Carotid sinus syndrome: a case report of an unusual presentation of cardiac arrest while diving.

Background: Carotid sinus syndrome (CSS) is an exaggerated response to carotid sinus baroreceptor stimulation, which may result in hypotension, prolonged asystole, and subsequently transient loss of consciousness due to cerebral hypoperfusion. However, this commonly benign syndrome may have lethal consequences under certain circumstances such as scuba diving.

Case Summary: We report the case of a trained 73-year-old male diver, who survived an almost fatal diving accident without any neurological deficits due to cardiac arrest under water.

Combined Hyperbaric Oxygen Partial Pressure at 1.4 Bar with Infrared Radiation: A Useful Tool To Improve Tissue Hypoxemia?

Tissue hypoxia contributes to the pathogenesis of several acute and chronic diseases. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) and whole-body warming using low-temperature infrared technology (LIT) are techniques that might improve hypoxemia. Combining HBO and LIT as hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with low-temperature infrared radiation (HBOIR) might be an approach that results in positive synergistic effects on oxygenation.

Helicopter-based in-water resuscitation with chest compressions: a pilot study.

Background: Drowning is a relevant worldwide cause of severe disability and death. The delay of ventilations and chest compressions is a crucial problem in drowning victims. Hence, a novel helicopter-based ALS rescue concept with in-water ventilation and chest compressions was evaluated.

Diagnostic imaging of gout: comparison of high-resolution US versus conventional X-ray.

The aim was to compare X-ray and ultrasound (US) in diagnosing gout. In a prospective study, 105 consecutive patients with clinical suspicion of gout underwent conventional X-ray und high-resolution US in order to help in arriving at a definite diagnosis. X-ray findings suggestive of gout included soft-tissue opacifications with densities between soft tissue and bone, articular and periarticular bone erosions, and osteophytes at the margins of opacifications or erosions.

Patella resurfacing: no benefit for the long-term outcome of total knee arthroplasty. A 10- to 16.3-year follow-up.

A follow-up of more than 10 years among patients who have undergone a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was performed to determine the significance of patella resurfacing for the long-term outcome. The clinical outcome was assessed by the Knee Society Score (KSS), and the radiological outcome was determined based on the Knee Society Roentgenographic Evaluation System. The patella was preserved in 21 knees and resurfaced in 44 knees.

Randomized double blind trial of an extract from the pentacyclic alkaloid-chemotype of uncaria tomentosa for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To evaluate safety and clinical efficacy of a plant extract from the pentacyclic chemotype of Uncaria tomentosa (UT) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Forty patients undergoing sulfasalazine or hydroxychloroquine treatment were enrolled in a randomized 52 week, 2 phase study. During the first phase (24 weeks, double blind, placebo controlled), patients were treated with UT extract or placebo.