Dynamic determination of functional liver capacity with the LiMAx test in post-cardiac arrest patients undergoing targeted temperature management-A prospective trial.

Background: Transiently increased transaminases is a common finding after cardiac arrest but little is known about the functional liver capacity (LiMAx) during the post-cardiac arrest syndrome and treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this trial was to evaluate liver function capacity in post-cardiac arrest survivors undergoing targeted temperature management (TTM) in ICU.

Methods: Thirty-two post-cardiac arrest survivors were prospectively included with all patients undergoing TTM at 33°C for 24 hours.

Patient satisfaction in out-of-hospital emergency care: a multicentre survey.

Background: There is only limited information on patient satisfaction with emergency medical services (EMS). The aim of this multicentre survey was to evaluate patient satisfaction in five out-of-hospital physician-based EMS in Austria and Switzerland.

Methods: The psychometrically tested and standardized questionnaire 'patient satisfaction in out-of-hospital emergency care' was used for this survey.

Comparision of etomidate and propofol for fibreoptic intubation as part of an airway management algorithm:a prospective, randomizes, double-blind study.

Background And Objective: In our algorithm for management of the anticipated difficult airway the induction agent (etomidate) is administered after the tip of the fibreoptic is placed in the trachea but before the tube is advanced over it. In a previous investigation we demonstrated the safety of this method. Due to its popularity as an induction agent, some would like to replace etomidate with propofol.