Annals of emergency medicine
-
Comparative Study
A comparison of adenosine and verapamil for the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia in the prehospital setting.
To compare the efficacy and base hospital physician use of adenosine with that of verapamil in the prehospital treatment of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). ⋯ Our study showed no difference in conversion rates between verapamil and adenosine. Base hospital physicians were more likely to order adenosine than verapamil. Paramedics and base hospital physicians often misinterpret tachydysrhythmias.
-
Because death has occurred with injury involving voltage as low as 50 to 60 V (probably the result of arrhythmias), we wanted to evaluate the necessity of cardiac monitoring in children sustaining electrical injuries with 120 or 240 V. ⋯ On the basis of our findings, initial cardiac evaluation (ECG) and monitoring do not appear to be necessary in children sustaining household electrical injuries (120 and 240-V); however, the significance of loss of consciousness, tetany, wet skin, or current flow that crossed the heart region could not be determined in our investigation. Therefore, cardiac monitoring should be performed if one of these factors is present.
-
Meta Analysis
Effect of out-of-hospital defibrillation by basic life support providers on cardiac arrest mortality: a metaanalysis.
Although some studies demonstrate otherwise, we hypothesized that metaanalysis would demonstrate a reduction in the relative risk of mortality when basic life support (BLS) providers can defibrillate out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. ⋯ BLS defibrillation can reduce the relative risk of death for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims in ventricular fibrillation. Weaknesses in individual study designs and regional clustering limit the strength of this metaanalysis and conclusion.
-
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
CPR knowledge, self-efficacy, and anticipated anxiety as functions of infant/child CPR training.
To determine the effect of infant/child CPR training on CPR knowledge, self-efficacy, and anticipated anxiety among parents of healthy infants/children. ⋯ Community-based infant/child CPR training programs affect parents on a variety of levels but may not effect changes in CPR knowledge.
-
"Hunan hand" is a contact dermatitis resulting from the direct handling of chili peppers containing capsaicin. Capsaicin also is found in an over-the-counter topical agent for treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, and arthritis. We present the case of a patient with capsaicin-induced dermatitis and discuss the pathophysiology, therapy, and current uses of capsaicin.