[Mechanical cardiac massage].

Continuous delivery of high-quality chest compressions is the most important and difficult part of resuscitation. Two automatic mechanical chest compression devices - LUCAS and Autopulse - have been implemented in Denmark in order to optimize the circulation in patients with cardiac arrest. In spite of some practical benefits, improved haemodynamics in animal models, and a possible increase in short-term survival, none of the devices improved the long-term survival or neurological outcome in patients with cardiac arrest.

[Cognitive deterioration after surgery].

Delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction are important and common complications after surgery. Risk factors are first of all increasing age and type of surgery, whereas the type of anaesthesia does not seem to play an important role. Mortality is higher among patients with cognitive dysfunction than among patients without such dysfunction.