Arthralgia is frequent during PD1ab treatment. The clinical picture varies between synovitis of predominantly large joints, progressive osteoarthritis and arthralgia without evident joint damage. Vast majority of cases can be satisfactorily managed by NSAID and/or low-dose corticosteroids.

Results-Of 330 000 inhabitants, 755 suffered from cardiac arrest covered by the Heidelberg ALS services. In 512 patients, cardiopulmonary resuscitation had been initiated. Of 338 patients with cardiac aetiology, return of spontaneous circulation was achieved in 164 patients (49%), 48 (14%) were discharged alive, and 40 (12%) were alive one year later; most of these patients showed good neurological outcome. Thus, 4.85 patients with cardiac aetiology were saved by the ALS services and discharged alive per 100 000 inhabitants a year. Ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia was detected in 106 patients (31%), other cardiac rhythms in 40 (12%), and asystole in 192 (57%). Hospital discharge rates (and one year survival) in these subgroups were 34.0% (29.2%), 12.5% (7.5%), and 3.6% (3.1%), respectively. Discharge rates increased if cardiac arrest was witnessed (bystander, 20.0%; BLS/ALS personnel, 21.4%; nonwitnessed arrest, 3.3%; p < 0.01), and if the time period between the alarm and the arrival of the ALS unit was four minutes or less (< 4 minutes, 30.6%; 4-8 minutes, 10.4%; > 8 minutes, 8.1%; p < 0.001). In 69 patients with bystander witnessed cardiac arrest with ventricular fibrillation, the discharge rate was 37.7%; 21 patients were alive after one year. Conclusions-A two tier BLS and physician staVed ALS system is associated with good long term outcome of patients suVering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of cardiac aetiology in a midsized urban/suburban area. Further studies, however, are required to assess whether having a physician in the ALS unit is an independent determinant for improved long term outcome. (Heart 1999;82:674-679) Keywords: out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; emergency medical services; long term outcome; Utstein style Patient outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest depends on individual, demographic, sociological, and logistic factors.

Endovascular treatment of penetrating aortic ulcers is associated with a relevant morbidity and mortality rate in frequently highly comorbid patients. Midterm results could prove a sustained treatment success regarding actuarial survival and aortic-related death. Emergencies show a significantly worse outcome, but treatment is still warranted in these symptomatic patients.