The American journal of emergency medicine
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Observational Study
Endovascular rewarming in the emergency department for moderate to severe accidental hypothermia.
Endovascular temperature control catheters can be utilized for emergent rewarming in accidental hypothermia. The purpose of this study was to compare patients with moderate to severe hypothermia rewarmed with an endovascular temperature control catheter versus usual care at our institution. ⋯ The endovascular temperature control system was not associated with an increased rate of rewarming in this cohort with moderate to severe hypothermia; however, this technique appears to be safe and feasible.
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Observational Study
The relationship between ocular trauma and substance abuse in emergency department patients.
Eye injury is the second most common cause of visual impairment and a leading cause of monocular blindness in the United States. There are approximately 6 million ED visits related to drug use annually, including misuse or abuse of pharmaceuticals and illicit drug use. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between ocular trauma and substance abuse among emergency department patients and to assess that relationship with demographic factors, including age and gender. ⋯ Mechanisms of eye injury included primarily motor vehicle accidents and assault. Most ocular trauma involved the external eye, the anterior chamber, the orbit, and the globe. The incidence of alcohol and illicit substance abuse is high among ED patients with ocular trauma.