The American journal of emergency medicine
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Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a potentially life-threatening condition. Interventions and treatments should be managed on time to reduce mortality. It has been put forth that perihematomal edema absolute volume (PHEAV) is related to mortality, however the effect of perihematomal edema absolute area (PHEAA) on mortality is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of PHEAA on 30-day mortality in patients with ICH. ⋯ In contrast to PHEAV, PHEAA is a simple value which can be measured without the requirement of any additional techniques or extra costs which can be quickly applied and which is an independent indicator of 30-day mortality. PHEAA can accelerate physician interventions for patients with ICH within several hours of ED admission.
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Little has been documented regarding hypersensitivity reactions with rivaroxaban or other factor Xa inhibitors. We report the development of a hypersensitivity reaction to rivaroxaban in a 64-year-old African American male patient who presented to the emergency department and was subsequently evaluated in dermatology consultation and follow-up. This case highlights the vigilance required by health care workers in recognizing potential adverse effects of newer anticoagulation therapy and in making medication changes where necessary.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of local anesthetic effect of lidocaine by jet injection vs needle infiltration in lumbar puncture.
Usual routes of drug administration are often painful and invasive. Nowadays, using jet injection has been introduced successfully, as a noninvasive and painless method of anesthetic delivery in performing different procedures. ⋯ Injecting lidocaine by jet injector is less painful than infiltrating it by needle and syringe.
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Review Case Reports
The emergency management of ventricular assist devices.
Heart failure is a common condition in the United States. When medical therapy fails, ventricular device (LVAD) therapy may be required. With increasing use of LVADs, emergency physicians should understand how to manage problems that may arise with these devices. ⋯ With an increasing number of LVADs, emergency physicians should expect to see patients with complications directly or indirectly related to LVADs. This review provides physicians with an extensive review of LVAD physiology and the evaluation and management of potential complications related to the device.
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Per the American Heart Association guidelines, blood pressure (BP) should be less than 185/110 to be eligible for stroke thrombolysis. No studies have focused on prehospital BP and its impact on door to needle (DTN) times. We hypothesized that DTN times would be longer for patients with higher prehospital BP. ⋯ Higher prehospital BP is associated with prolonged DTN times and DTN time remains prolonged if prehospital BP greater than or equal to 185/110 is untreated before ED arrival. Prehospital BP control could be a potential area for improvement to reduce DTN times in patients with acute ischemic stroke.