[Caring pathways of terminal cancer patients: a retrospective survey].

Caring pathways of terminal cancer patients: a retrospective survey. Introduction. The caring patways of terminal cancer patients of the Vallagarina district, dead in 2008, cared at home and/or by district services in the last 90 days of life of cancer patients, were retrospectively described.

Pain treatment with high-dose, controlled-release oxycodone: an Italian perspective.

Objective: To investigate the possible role and tolerability of high-dose (>160 mg/day) oxycodone controlled release (CR) for the treatment of cancer and non-cancer pain.

Design: 227 patients with cancer or non-cancer pain were enrolled in an open-label, multi-center, Italian study in order to assess the adequacy of their existing pain management (using a numerical rating scale [NRS]) and the possible benefit high-dose oxycodone CR may offer patients experiencing uncontrolled pain.

Results: Pain was poorly controlled at baseline, with only 18.

[Effects of extracorporeal circulation and hypothermia on cellular immune activity in patients undergoing heart surgery].

Aspecific cellular reactivity was assessed in patients who underwent open heart surgery. The authors conclude that depressed PMN activity measured as O2- production is not linked to anaesthesiological procedures, hemodilution and hypothermia. No conclusive reports are possible on the role of pulmonary reinfusion or plasmatic and cellular mechanism of depression.