Critical Care and Shock

November 2006

Pulmonary: A New Section

We proudly would like to inform readers of Critical Care and Shock that starting with this issue, there will be a new section called PULMONARY

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Hyperthyroidism Presenting as Acute Muscular Weakness

A 25 year-old Hispanic gentleman without any significant past medical history, presented to the emergency department with a 3 hour history of sudden onset shortness of breath and acute progressive quadriparesis. He specifically denied any recent viral infection, recent travel or illicit drug use. He worked as a “chef” in a local restaurant. On initial physical examination, the patient was a slender male in moderate-to-severe respiratory distress. Blood pressure was 160/90 mmHg, heart rate 150 bpm, respiratory rate 32/minute, temperature 38.5 oC and oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry of 98%.

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Cardiopulmonary Emergencies in Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease that commonly involves the lungs and the heart. Although rare, lifethreatening cardiopulmonary emergencies can occur. Acute respiratory failure, massive hemoptysis, and cardiac emergencies are described in sarcoidosis. These clinical manifestations can be the first clinical presentation of sarcoidosis. The subject of cardiopulmonary sarcoidosis is reviewed.

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Berlin Questionnaire and Portable Monitoring Device for Diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Preliminary Study in Jakarta, Indonesia

Study objective: to evaluate patients who came with the history of snoring with Berlin Questionnaire and sleep study using portable monitoring device. Setting: Mitra International Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. Material and methods: This was a preliminary study in 15 patients who came to the Respiratory Clinic with the history of snoring and suspicion of having obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). They were intended to undergo a sleep study using a portable device (PM).

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