The American journal of emergency medicine
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The aim of this study was to evaluate factors of digoxin use and its relation to mortality in ED patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). ⋯ In ED patients with AF, digoxin was more frequently assigned to vulnerable patients with concomitant HF or valvular heart disease, and digoxin use was not related to a significantly increased risk of mortality.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of early sequential hypothermia and delayed hypothermia on neurological function after resuscitation in a swine model.
We utilized a porcine cardiac arrest model to compare early sequential hypothermia (ESH) with delayed hypothermia (DH) and no hypothermia (NH) to investigate the different effects on cerebral function after resuscitation. ⋯ Early sequential hypothermia could increase the protection of neurological function after resuscitation and produce better neurological outcomes. The institutional protocol number: 2010-D-013.
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The incidence of heart failure (HF) has reached epidemic levels in western populations, and the majority of these patients are admitted to hospitals through the emergency department (ED). We aimed to aid clinicians assessing natriuretic peptide (NP) levels in cases with suspected HF. In this study, we investigated the effect of anemia on amino-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) and on B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. ⋯ The data suggest that clinicians examining patients admitted to the ED with suspected HF should consider that anemia could lead to increases in NT-proBNP and BNP levels.
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In-hospital cardiac arrests (IHCAs) are often preceded by abnormal vital signs. Preceding abnormal vital signs might lower the physiological reserve capacity and therefore decrease survival after an IHCA. ⋯ The NEWS can be a probable proxy for estimating physiological reserve capacity since high NEWS is associated to high change of death in case of an IHCA. This information can be used when discussing prognosis with patients and relatives. But even more importantly, it stresses the need for better preventive strategies in IHCAs. STRENGTHENS AND LIMITATIONS WITH THIS STUDY.