[Cardiac resynchronization therapy in severe congestive heart failure].

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established method for treatment of patients with severe congestive heart failure and asynchronous left ventricular contraction. Its clinical and haemodynamic benefits are well documented. We have retrospectively reviewed CRT performed at our centre.

[Treatment of acute ischemic stroke].

Background: Treatment of acute ischemic stroke changes rapidly. The purpose of this article is to present current therapeutic options.

Material And Methods: The review is based on relevant literature found through a Medline search and on personal clinical experience.

[Improved hand hygiene through simple interventions].

Background: On the basis of new National Guidelines for Hand Hygiene, a project was started in 2004 in a medical ward at Haukeland University Hospital. The aims were to improve the personnel's compliance with hand hygiene guidelines and to transfer from soap hand wash to a disinfectant alcohol-based hand rub.

Material And Methods: Two interventions were implemented: information about hand hygiene and increased availability of alcohol-based hand rub.

[Cerebral infarction in young adults].

Background: Young patients with cerebral infarction may differ from old patients with regard to clinical and prognostic aspects, and this may have implications for clinical management.

Material And Methods: The article is based on literature found on PubMed and results from the authors' population-based study of 232 patients (aged 15-49) with cerebral infarction in Hordaland, Norway.

Results And Interpretation: The aetiology of cerebral infarction differs between young and old patients.

[Transvesical prostatectomy].

Background: Transvesical (open) prostatectomy is an operation method that has been performed less frequently during the last decades. Most documentation of the method is old, and few young urologists become experienced with the method.

Material And Methods: From 1994 to 2003, 66 patients underwent open prostatectomy at our department.

[Uro- and enterovaginal fistulas].

Background: Gynecological fistulas that cause faecal or urinary incontinence, represent a considerable global health problem that usually reflects inadequate help at birth. The problem has a different profile in the more industrialised countries. The aim of the present study was to characterise gynaecological fistulas in a Norwegian setting.

[Intermittent claudication--diagnosis and treatment].

Background: Intermittent claudication occurs in 5% of the population over 60 years, and may involve reduced walking distance, pain and a reduced quality of life. The mortality rate is 5% per year and the annual amputation rate 1%. This review article gives an update on diagnosis and medical, endovascular and surgical treatment of intermittent claudication.

[Risk factors for sudden cardiac death related to the long QT syndrome].

Background: Long QT syndrome is a rare condition. The syndrome is characterised by a prolonged QT-interval corrected for heart rate (QTc). The typical clinical presentation is the occurrence of syncope or cardiac arrest in young and otherwise healthy individuals.

[False measurement of glucose during dialysis with icodextrin].

Background: Recent reports have indicated that icodextrin may interfere with glucose assays when patients are treated with icodextrin for peritoneal dialysis (PD). We wished to examine whether icodextrin interfered with plasma glucose, as measured with new instruments commonly used for glucose measurements in Norway.

Material And Methods: Serum and plasma glucose were measured in a diabetic patient (type II) who had started PD with icodextrin.

[Syncope in children and young adults].

Background: 15-40% of children and young adults have had at least one episode of syncope. The most frequent types are the reflex-mediated syncopes (60-70%). 5-6 % are cardiac syncopes that include several life-threatening diseases that are essential to diagnose.

[A 90-year-old woman with acute hemiparesis].

A right-handed woman of 90, taking aspirin 160 mg daily, suffered acute neck pain radiating to the shoulders, with right side hemiparesis and numbness occurring minutes thereafter. On admission 2.5 hrs later, examination showed paresis and hyporeflexia of the right limbs accompanied by neck stiffness and vertebral tenderness in level C7.

[Attitudes to medical errors and patient injury among doctors and medical students].

Background: As health care providers most of us will experience that patients are harmed by medical treatment. Our attitudes and reactions to this part of the medical reality are therefore important.

Material And Methods: 103 medical students and 156 hospital doctors (surgeons and anaesthetists) at a university hospital were asked to answer a questionnaire anonymously.

[Decompressive craniectomy in acute encephalitis].

We report a patient with acute encephalitis of unknown causation who underwent hemicraniectomy because of threatening herniation. The patient recovered uneventfully and three weeks later, findings on neurological examination were normal. Hemicraniectomy should be considered in all patients with encephalitis and threatening herniation.

[Diseases that affect both skin and oral mucosa].

Background: Several diseases may affect both skin and oral mucosa. This article presents hereditary, autoimmune and other inflammatory conditions within this group.

Material And Methods: Review of the literature as well as the authors' own experience in the field.