The American journal of emergency medicine
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Postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) is an inflammatory process, affecting 15% to 20% of patients, after surgery involving pleura, pericardium, or both. The role of electrocardiogram (ECG) in diagnosing PPS is uncertain because ECG is rarely normal (especially after cardiac surgery). We report a case of PPS that presented initially with localized ST-segment elevation and also discuss proposed mechanisms. ⋯ In our patient, injury or surgical manipulation to the area perfused by right coronary artery might have initiated a process, initially localized to the inferior wall with subsequent diffuse involvement of the entire pericardium. The presentation of our patient shortly after the development of chest pain and availability of 2 ECGs a few minutes apart may have shed light on the pathophysiology of PPS.
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Letter Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A comparison of the ETView VivaSight SL against a fiberoptic bronchoscope for nasotracheal intubation of multitrauma patients during resuscitation. A randomized, crossover, manikin study.
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Observational Study
Safety and feasibility of the laryngeal tube when used by emergency medical technicians during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Ventilation is still one key element of advanced life support. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) without training in advanced airway management usually use bag valve mask ventilation (BVM). Bag valve mask ventilation requires proper training and yet may be difficult and ineffective. Supraglottic airway devices, such as the laryngeal tube (LT), have been proposed as alternatives. Safety and feasibility are unclear if used by EMTs with limited training only. We compared efficacy of the LT to BVM for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in a primarily volunteer-based emergency medical services. ⋯ Use of the LT during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by EMTs with only basic training appears safe and feasible. Compared to BVM, success rates were higher. Injuries were relatively rare.
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Case Reports
Acute myocardial infarction due to marijuana smoking in a young man: guilty should not be underestimated.
Marijuana (cannabis) is a frequently used recreational drug that potentially imposes serious health problems. We present a case of acute myocardial infarction with chronic total occlusion of left main coronary artery due to marijuana smoking in a 27-year-old man, which was not previously reported. This case illustrate that marijuana abuse can lead to serious cardiovascular events.
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Emergency medical services (EMS) preparedness is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality from mass casualty incidents (MCIs). ⋯ Advanced EMS interventions are not frequent during MCIs in the United States. Emergency medical services systems with other types of providers or MCI response patterns might report different findings.