The American journal of emergency medicine
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Observational Study
Is there a potential role for echocardiography in adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia? A pilot study.
The role of echocardiography in adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has not been tested in a clinical trial. The aim of the study was to assess the cardiac changes secondary to CAP by echocardiography and to find out the correlation between echocardiographic findings and the severity of CAP. ⋯ Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and elastic properties of aorta may play a role in the diagnosis and clinical assessment of CAP severity, which could potentially guide the development of new prognostic models.
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Risk stratification of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is crucial in deciding appropriate therapy management. Blood pressure (BP) is rapidly available and a reliable parameter. We aimed to investigate BP for short-term outcome in acute PE. ⋯ Systolic and diastolic BPs are excellent prognosis predictors of patients with acute PE. Systolic BP of 120 mm Hg or less and diastolic BP of 65 mm Hg or less at admission are connected with elevated risk of in-hospital death.
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Our objectives were to determine the frequency of patient transfers to a tertiary care emergency department (Tertiary ED) due to a lack of radiology services in rural hospital EDs (Rural EDs), and examine the community and patient attributes that are associated with these transfers. ⋯ Lack of radiology services in Rural EDs leads to numerous patient transfers to the Tertiary ED each year. A disproportionate number of these transfer patients are African American. These transfers place additional financial and social burdens on patients and their families. This study discusses these findings and alternative diagnostic options (ie, telemedicine and ultrasound video transfer) to address the lack of radiology services available in Rural EDs. The use of these alternate diagnostic options will likely reduce the number of patient transfers to Tertiary EDs.
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Falls in the elderly are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. We sought to better categorize this patient population and describe factors contributing to their falls. ⋯ Prevention measures to limit morbidity and mortality in elderly fall patients should be aimed at the home setting, where most severe injuries occur. Very elderly patients may be at increased risk for intracranial fall-related injuries.