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Biomedical subjects

N Shafer

Publications and source records attributed to N Shafer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cafe coronary: recognition, treatment and prevention.

Cafe coronary or foreign body upper airway obstruction claims more than 3,000 deaths each year in the United States. Early recognition of airway obstruction is imperative, because hypoxia of only four to six minutes' duration may result in irreversible brain damage. Fortunately, the foreign body preventing adequate air exchange can often be dislodged and expelled once the correct emergency procedures are implemented. The Heimlich maneuver or external subdiaphragmatic abdominal thrust is recognized as the basic procedure for relief of complete larynx/trachea obstruction. This technique, by elevating the diaphragm, can force a sufficient quantity of air from the lungs to create an artificial cough that is often of adequate force and duration to expel the obstructing foreign body from the airway. If non-invasive procedures prove to be ineffective, a cricothyrotomy should be performed by trained rescuers. Many of the victims of foreign body airway obstruction are either children or elderly. Most foreign body airway obstruction deaths can be avoided if the rescuer has been trained in the proper treatment.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

The early diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease.

The time has long since passed when gangrene followed by amputation was the anticipated outcome of peripheral vascular disease of the extremities. Nevertheless, today in the United States it is estimated that there are more than half a million amputees. With preventive measures, early diagnosis, and adequate treatment, gangrene will be avoided and the patient will retain the use of his limbs.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases

Stress and ulceration: medico-legal aspects.

This paper outlines the possibility of acute, and perhaps, fatal, if not diagnosed, stress ulcers precipitated by trauma, surgery, or other potentiating events. It should once again be emphasized that prevention is the best treatment for the stress-induced ulcer, and that this prevention may occur at both a secondary level (defusion of emotive or physical precipitators) and a primary level (reduction of gastric acid and/or bleeding).

Arousal

Antimicrobial prophylaxis.

This paper discusses when antimicrobial prophylaxis should be initiated and when it is not recommended as an effective treatment or means of prophylaxis. Various surgical procedures take complete advantage of the effectiveness of such prophylaxis against the emergence of infection and complications; however, the possibility of superinfection is always present and should not be overlooked by the attending physician.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Gunshot wounds.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Abdominal Injuries

Blood transfusion reactions.

Transfusion reactions range from mismatching of blood causing reaction, to the transmission of diseases such as hepatitis through the improper screening of blood. This paper discusses guidelines for transfusions of various blood fractions or components, reasons for transfusions of red blood cells rather than whole blood, the problem of blood platelets, the prohibition against fibrinogen, and the various volume expanders.

Blood Group Incompatibility