The American journal of emergency medicine
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Sex differences have not been well defined for patients undergoing therapeutic hypothermia (TH). We aimed to determine sex differences in mortality and Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scores at discharge among those receiving TH. ⋯ There is no statistically significant difference in CPC or crude mortality outcomes between sexes. After adjusting for confounders, females were 54% less likely to die than males.
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The aims of this study were (a) to determine the prehospital prevalence of electrocardiographic (ECG) signs of acute myocardial ischemia in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome and (b) to describe the relationships between the various ECG patterns and the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and outcomes. ⋯ Among patients with a clinical suspicion of AMI in the prehospital setting, the prevalence of ECG signs suggesting AMI was low, as was the ability to identify AMI patients using ECG findings only. We therefore need better instruments in the prehospital triage of patients with acute chest pain.
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Checklists have successfully been used in intensive care units (ICUs) to improve metrics of critical care. Proper peri-intubation care including use of appropriate induction agents and postintubation sedation is crucial when performing endotracheal intubation (ETI) on critically ill patients, especially in the emergency department (ED). We sought to evaluate the impact of checklists on peri-intubation care in ED trauma patients. ⋯ Peri-intubation checklists result in higher rates of RSI in ED trauma patients but do not alter other measured metrics of peri-intubation care.
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Case Reports
Spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistula: challenges in clinical and radiologic diagnosis.
We present a 47-year-old female patient with spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistula without comorbidities. The symptoms of a carotid-cavernous fistula may be confused with other pathology in the region of the orbit and cavernous sinus such as cavernous sinus thrombosis. Carotid-cavernous fistulas most commonly result from direct injury to the internal carotid artery, as with skull base or surgical trauma, but it can also result from weakness in the arterial wall, as with an aneurysm. ⋯ Magnetic resonance angiography sequence can reveal aneurysms communicating with the cavernous sinus, and magnetic resonance venography will define thrombosis within the cavernous sinus. Differentiating between cavernous sinus thrombosis and carotid-cavernous fistula can be clinically difficult, and a team approach including emergency physicians, neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, and otolaryngologists will be called upon to assist in diagnosis. Prompt diagnosis and management can allow for potentially vision and lifesaving interventions.
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Venous access is essential to providing emergency care for critically ill or injured patients. Obtaining peripheral or central access can be problematic and time consuming. ⋯ We report a case of successful IO pressure (IOP) monitoring through an IO during the resuscitation of a 31-year-old male. This is the first report of monitoring IOP in a clinical setting and comparing it to traditional measures of central pressure.