The American journal of emergency medicine
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Clinical Trial
A descriptive study of myoclonus associated with etomidate procedural sedation in the ED.
Myoclonus is a well-recognized side effect of etomidate when given in induction doses for rapid sequence intubation. Most of the data reported on myoclonus with emergency department (ED) sedation doses are reported as a secondary finding. ⋯ Myoclonus associated with sedation doses of etomidate was common but rarely interfered with the completion of a procedure.
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The QT interval measures the time from the start of the QRS complex to the end of the T wave. Prolongation of the QT interval may lead to malignant ventricular tachydysrhythmias, including torsades de pointes. Causes of QT prolongation include congenital abnormalities of the sodium or potassium channel, electrolyte abnormalities, and medications; idiopathic causes have also been identified. ⋯ For patients with congenital or idiopathic QT interval prolongation, the use of beta-blockers can be considered. Certain subsets of patients benefit from implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator. Clinicians must remain vigilant for QT interval prolongation when interpreting electrocardiograms, especially in patients presenting with syncope or ventricular arrhythmias.
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A 40-year-old healthy woman presented to the emergency department with a complaint of intermittent hematemesis, despite the absence of usual factors associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (ie, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcoholism, etc). The patient was diagnosed with a Dieulafoy lesion. This is an uncommon finding, which clinicians must be familiar with and maintain in the differential diagnosis because the consequences of this disease process are grave. It is vital to properly diagnose this condition and be familiar with the treatment.
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Case Reports
Availability of intravenous lipid emulsion therapy on endosulfan-induced cardiovascular collapse.
Acute Endosulfan poisoning is associated with a high mortality rate in humans, and can exceed 30% [Moon JM, Chun BJ. Acute endosulfan poisoning: a retrospective study. Hum Exp Toxicol 2009;28:309-16]. ⋯ Intravenous lipid emulsion in clinical toxicology. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2010;18:51]. We believe that this is its first reported use in endosulfan toxicity.
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Before the era of therapeutic hypothermia, a practice parameter including absent or extensor motor response at day 3 and the presence of myoclonus status epilepticus within 24 hours was used to assist prognostication of poor neurologic outcomes. There are conflicting results concerning whether hypothermia influences the reliability of the predictors and the accurate predictors and optimal timing for assessing neurologic recovery are largely unknown. ⋯ However, life support was reported to be withdrawn within 3 to 5 days in 25% to 50% cardiac arrest survivors treated with hypothermia when grave prognosis was predicted. The clinical course of the patient raises some important questions concerning the accuracy of current predictors, the optimal observation period for neurologic recovery, and the appropriate timing to determine withdrawal of life support in cardiac arrest victims receiving therapeutic hypothermia.