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Study reveals fast action, right resources are key to treating fulminant myocarditis

Study reveals fast action, right resources are key to treating fulminant myocarditis

Wed, Jan 08, 2020

The resources needed to treat fulminant myocarditis -- severe, inflammation of the heart that develops rapidly -- are outlined in a new Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association on how best to reduce fatalities from this rare condition. The study is published in cardiovascular journal -- Circulation. Fulminant myocarditis, often caused by a viral infection, comes on suddenly and often with significant severity, resulting in an exceptionally high risk of death caused by cardiogenic shock -- the heart's inability to pump enough blood, fatal arrhythmias, and multiorgan failure. With many of today's technology advances, numerous devices can fully support a patient's circulation and oxygenation and ventilation when necessary. The early recognition of fulminant myocarditis, the institution of circulatory support and maintenance of end-organ function, especially avoiding prolonged neurologic hypoxemia, can result in favourable outcomes for this previously almost universally fatal condition. The new statement details increasing awareness and education of fulminant myocarditis among health care providers to speed evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. Treatment options for optimal outcomes include supporting patients through the use of extracorporeal life support (heart-lung machine), percutaneous and durable ventricular assist devices (devices to help the heart pump) and heart transplantation. "It is fortunate that fulminant myocarditis is rare and that it usually presents in typically younger and healthier patients, rather than critically ill patients seen in the office or emergency department," said Leslie T Cooper, MD, FAHA, vice-chair of the Statement Writing Group."This is where there are the greatest opportunities: early diagnosis, rapid treatment and the ability of frontline clinicians to detect the subtle signs and symptoms of this serious condition."

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Parents barriers to teen independence: Study

Parents barriers to teen independence: Study

Tue, Jul 23, 2019

Parents can act as barriers to teen independence by not giving them enough space to take up important responsibility, recent findings suggest. According to the study, nearly all parents (97 per cent) in a new national poll say they are helping their teen become more independent by using strategies like allowing them to make more choices (86 per cent), pushing them to handle things themselves (74 per cent) and no longer doing things for them (65 per cent). Despite this, one-quarter of parents surveyed say they are the main barrier to their teen's independence by not taking the time or effort to give their teen more responsibility, according to the research. "As children become teenagers, the role of parents shifts to helping them gain the knowledge and experience they will need for being independent adults," said Sarah Clark, lead author of the study. The report is based on responses from a nationally-representative sample of 877 parents of at least one child who is 14-18 years old. The study was conducted at the University of Michigan. Sixty per cent of parents polled say their teen's characteristics are barriers to becoming more independent, such as not being mature enough (24 per cent), not having time (22 per cent) or not knowing enough (14 per cent) to take on more responsibility. Parents gave the lowest rating of teen independence for tasks related to health care. When it comes to their teen's health, parents may feel responsible for ensuring that appropriate care is received and medical advice is followed, Clark says. Parents are nearly universal in the belief that it is important for teens to make mistakes, but they also feel they should prevent teens from mistakes that are too serious. Researchers recommend parents to position themselves as a back-up resource, to be consulted only if the teen cannot handle the matter independently. Parents should also establish specific milestones and create opportunities to mentor their teens in gaining experience and confidence while reaching those goals.

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