https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/47420 2026-04-14T23:22:47Z 2026-04-14T23:22:47Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/47493 2022-03-23T10:34:34Z 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The art and the science of healing Abstract: The human condition cannot be compartmentalized into separate and convenient facets. The individual, as well as the society he/she lives in, is a complex conglomeration of experiences that transcend all aspects of life. We are what we are because of the way we are made up and because of the experiences we are subject to throughout our lives – a combination of nature and nurture. The Medical Humanities (MH) is an interdisciplinary field of medicine which attempts to personalise medical care, allowing the medical practitioner to apply patient management within the broad canvas that makes up the individual. MH includes all aspects of the humanities (such literature, philosophy, ethics, history and religion), the social sciences (such anthropology, cultural studies, psychology, sociology, and geography) and the arts themselves (including literature, theatre, film, and visual arts), and the application of all of these to medical education and medical practice. MH is mainly concerned with training medical practitioners: “to cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always”.

2019-01-01T00:00:00Z Seguna, Desiree Giordano Imbroll, Miriam Gruppetta, Mark https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/47492 2019-10-20T05:08:16Z 2019-04-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Pseudohyponatraemia : a literature review Authors: Seguna, Desiree; Giordano Imbroll, Miriam; Gruppetta, Mark Abstract: Hyponatraemia often poses a diagnostic dilemma, brought about by inadequate work-up and inappropriate management. In order to make the correct diagnosis, an understanding of the pathophysiology and classification of hyponatraemia is essential. In this review, focus is made on the diagnosis of pseudohyponatraemia including the causes, when to suspect it and how to diagnose it. Different analytical methods are discussed, including flame emission spectrophotometry, and ion-specific electrode (ISE) potentiometry and the role they play in diagnosing pseudohypopatraemia. The measured and calculated osmolalities and their use to calculate the osmolal gap are explained. Finally, a discussion follows on the aetiologies of pseudohyponatraemia, strategies to circumvent this problem and the relevance of clinching the diagnosis in clinical practice.

2019-04-01T00:00:00Z Navarro, Andre Sladden, David Casha, Aaron Manche, Alexander https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/47491 2019-10-20T05:08:24Z 2019-04-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The difficulties in identifying and grafting an intramuscular coronary artery Authors: Navarro, Andre; Sladden, David; Casha, Aaron; Manche, Alexander Abstract: Myocardial bridging involves tunnelling of one of the coronary arteries through the myocardium. While most patients with intramyocardial coronary vessels are asymptomatic, there is evidence that myocardial bridging may be the cause of sudden death. Given the low detection rate on coronary angiography, myocardial bridging may complicate coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This case report discusses a 72-year-old gentleman who underwent CABG, during which an undiagnosed intramuscular left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was found. With only the tapering end of the LAD visible at the apex of the heart, a small incision was made at this site and a 1mm probe inserted. At the uppermost reach of the probe the tip was felt to point superficial and therefore a second more proximal incision was performed. The left internal thoracic artery (LITA) was than successfully anastomosed with the proximal arteriotomy and a length of saphenous vein was used for anastomosis with the distal arteriotomy where the probe was originally inserted. The patient was discharged home 5 days post operatively.

2019-04-01T00:00:00Z Mallia, Pierre https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/47490 2019-10-20T05:08:16Z 2019-04-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The implications of the abortion referendum in Ireland Authors: Mallia, Pierre Abstract: This paper concerns the implications of the abortion referendum in Ireland, or rather, to be precise, a vote in favour of the Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland Bill 2018, which was intended to repeal the Eight Amendment of the same constitution which guarantees the unborn child for the right to life unless the pregnancy is life threatening. The current Bill will (by an act of parliament) replace Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution which was added in 1983 and subsequently amended in 1992.2 One must immediately point out that the 1983 amendment made no reference to the philosophical doctrine of double effect whereby harm can be caused even if it is foreseen but is not intended and indirect. As we will see this has important consequences in a Catholic Hospital which was accused, rightly so, of a medical misadventure in Ireland causing the death of a woman who was 17 weeks pregnant, where the termination could have been done also on principle of double effect.

2019-04-01T00:00:00Z