Annals of emergency medicine
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To determine the incidence of blunt trauma in northern New York City before and after the distribution of 25,000 baseball bats at Yankee Stadium. ⋯ The distribution of 25,000 wooden baseball bats to attendees at Yankee Stadium did not increase the incidence of bat-related trauma in the Bronx and northern Manhattan. There was a positive correlation between daily temperature and the incidence of bat injury. The informal but common impressions of emergency clinicians about the cause-and-effect relationship between Bat Day and bat trauma were unfounded.
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To compare cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with more conventional therapy in the treatment of severe amitriptyline poisoning. ⋯ CPB improved survival in our swine model of severe amitriptyline poisoning.
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To determine the accuracy of end-tidal carbon dioxide levels as a measure of arterial carbon dioxide levels in nonintubated patients presenting to an emergency department for care. ⋯ Measurements of end-tidal carbon dioxide concentrations correlate well with PaCO2 values in nonintubated patients presenting with a variety of conditions to EDs. End-tidal carbon dioxide measurements may be sufficient measures of PaCO2 in selected patients and obviate the need for repeat arterial blood gas determination. Further study is warranted.
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To gather preliminary data on the safety and efficacy of IV magnesium in a rat model of hydrofluoric acid burns. ⋯ High-dose IV magnesium sulfate reduces the severity of hydrofluoric acid burn compared with conventional intradermal calcium gluconate therapy. Early deaths appeared to be prevented by both calcium and magnesium therapies.
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We investigated the hydrodynamic characteristics of IV infusion sets for rapid fluid resuscitation. A simple technique has been devised for quantitative evaluation of the hydrodynamic characteristics of IV sets, including their components, for a range of infusion pressures. ⋯ At gravity-delivered pressures (50 and 100 mm Hg), the only effective way of increasing flow rate (more than twofold) is to use a low-resistance drip chamber or to use two infusion sites. At pressurized delivery pressures (more than 200 mm Hg), increasing catheter size from 18 to 14 gauge would be more effective than doubling the number of infusion sets. Also, a more efficient drip chamber adds an important advantage. Finally, increasing the tubing diameter adds only minimal benefit.