Patient-controlled epidural analgesia versus conventional epidural analgesia after total hip replacement - a randomized trial.

Aims: Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is usually considered a better option for pain management compared to conventional analgesia. The beneficial effect of PCA has been assessed in a number of studies; however, the results are inconsistent. The goal of this study was to compare of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) to conventional epidural analgesia after total hip replacement (THR).

The Role of von Willebrand Factor, ADAMTS13, and Cerebral Artery Thrombus Composition in Patient Outcome Following Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to investigate the role of von Willebrand factor (vWF), the vWF-cleaving protease, ADAMTS13, the composition of thrombus, and patient outcome following mechanical cerebral artery thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective cohort study included 131 patients with ischemic stroke (<6 hours) with or without intravenous thrombolysis. Interventional procedure parameters, hemocoagulation markers, vWF, ADAMTS13, and histological examination of the extracted thrombi were performed.

[Is obesity an adverse prognostic factor for pulmonary manifestations of influenza? Lesson from complicated disease course H1N1].

Influenza viruses cause annual epidemics that occur at different times in both the northern and southern hemisphere. In cases of seasonal influenza these are usually mild forms of the disease, which rarely lead to death of the patient. Vulnerable groups include the elderly, the young or those with comorbidities, where the virus affects tens of thousands of victims around the world.