Annals of emergency medicine
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Curricula in pediatric resuscitation must be based on adult learning principles. The Pediatric Basic and Advanced Life Support Courses (PBLS, PALS) should use educational strategies fostering positive interactions between the instructor and learners and should take into consideration the learner's motivation for taking the course. Materials should be developed for a specific target audience; course design should be flexible to meet individual needs. ⋯ Discussion of the trauma patient is limited in the PALS course; additional trauma education could be facilitated by the addition of a trauma module or by other educational courses. All aspects of the PBLS and PALS educational programs must be evaluated continually to determine whether learning objectives have been met and whether the teaching format is appropriate. The answers to evaluation questions will help determine the degree to which the American Heart Association is meeting its educational objectives and how to allocate resources for development and training.
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Comparative Study
Angiotensin II effects in a swine model of cardiac arrest.
To evaluate the effect of different doses of the vasopressor angiotensin II on aortic diastolic and coronary perfusion pressures in a swine model of cardiac arrest. ⋯ Angiotensin II in doses of 50, 75, and 100 micrograms/kg significantly increased aortic diastolic pressure, and doses of 50 and 75 micrograms/kg significantly increased coronary perfusion pressure in this model of cardiac arrest.
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Case Reports
Diffuse subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax after dental extraction.
Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax may result from surgical procedures and trauma and usually do not present a diagnostic dilemma. We present a case of subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, and pneumoretroperitoneum after a dental procedure with an air-and-water-cooled turbine burr drill. ⋯ If a large amount of air is injected, it may track into not only the subcutaneous tissues but also the mediastinum, pleural space, and retroperitoneal space. Patients with significant amounts of air must be admitted, observed for airway compromise, and be provided IV antibiotics and hydration.