The American journal of emergency medicine
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Treatment with low-potency anti-psychotic agents is an important risk factor in the development of pulmonary embolism (PE). We report a case of 74years old female patient receiving olanzapine for psychotic depression admitted to the emergency service with the complaints of chest pain and shortness of breath. She had tachypnea, hypotension and tachycardia. ⋯ As the only possible risk factor for PE was olanzapine, olanzapine treatment was terminated with pyschiatry consultation. During the 12-month follow-up of the patient; malignancy was not observed. Diagnosis and prevention of PE are the important goals to reduce morbidity and mortality in subjects receiving olanzapine.
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The management of overdoses of cardioactive medications in the emergency department can be challenging. The reversal of severe toxicity from one or more types of cardioactive medication may fail maximal medical therapies and require extreme invasive measures such as transvenous cardiac pacing and extracorporeal life support. ⋯ Extracorporeal life support was initiated and resulted in successful organ perfusion and complete recovery of the patient. This case highlights the potential utility of extracorporeal life support in cases of severe toxicity due to multiple cardioactive medications.
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Esmolol is a highly selective beta 1 receptor blocker with various effects such as slowing heart rate, lowering blood pressure and reducing myocardial oxygen consumption. However, few studies have reported the use of beta blockers in sepsis with multiple organ dysfunctions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of esmolol on reducing apoptosis and inflammation in early sepsis rats with abdominal infection. ⋯ The administration of esmolol in early sepsis may reduce inflammation, inhibit apoptosis and protect key organs.