[Successful prehospital diagnosis secures fast and correct treatment of acute aorta dissection].

Time from symptom onset to final treatment is crucial for survival. We present a case where prehospital diagnosis by the emergency physician in the ambulance was followed by a telemedicine conference and data transfer to the hospital. This was combined with bypassing of the emergency room and direct transfer to the thoracic surgical theatre, and time to treatment was reduced considerably.

Anemia and 90-day mortality in COPD patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.

Background: There are data to suggest that anemia is associated with increased mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In contrast, critically ill patients with low hemoglobin levels (4.3-5.

[Ventricular fibrillation caused by a misplaced Sengstaken tube].

Uncontrollable hemorrhage from esophageal varicose veins in portal hypertension and cirrhosis of the liver may be treated with a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube. A case of ventricular fibrillation caused by a misplaced Sengstaken-Blakemore tube is described. Patients with a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube in place should be checked by a trained nurse for early signs of misplacement of the tube.