The American journal of emergency medicine
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To reduce the time required for suture closure for central venous catheterization, a new procedure was developed using a continuous suture technique. The present study was conducted to investigate the usefulness of this method. ⋯ We found that the new one-time method provided faster and more convenient central catheterization and catheter securement than the conventional methods.
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Poisoning caused by calcium-channels blockers (CCB) can cause refractory vasoplegic shock, resulting in multiple-organ failure and death despite maximal therapy including high doses of vasopressors. We report one CCB-induced refractory shock complicated with lactate acidosis despite very high doses of epinephrine and norepinephrine. The hemodynamic status of the patient dramatically improved after intermittent boluses of terlipressin, which corrected the acidosis.
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Case Reports
Taking varenicline for smoking cessation: A rare cause of pulmonary thromboembolism with infarction.
Varenicline (Champix®, Chantix®) is a partial agonist of the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and a full agonist of the α7 nAChR. It has been used for smoking cessation since 2006. ⋯ However, among the adverse CV events, the issue related to the varenicline-induced pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) has not being addressed. We report a case of PTE with pulmonary infarction presenting as right flank pain that resulted from the use of varenicline (the total score of adverse drug reaction probability scale, 6; probable association between varenicline and pulmonary PTE) in a patient without underlying CV disease and in whom low probability of PTE (Wells score was zero) was identified.
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Case Reports
Ultrasound-guided axillary nerve block for emergency department incision and drainage of deltoid abscess.
Deltoid abscesses are common and painful, often a consequence of injection drug use and seen frequently in emergency departments (EDs). The required incision and drainage can be completed successfully with effective pain relief using a peripheral nerve block. The brachial plexus nerve block works well, however it is technically complex with a low, but potentially serious, risk of complications such as phrenic nerve paralysis. ⋯ Once injected the local will anesthetize the axillary nerve resulting in analgesia of the cutaneous area of the lateral shoulder and the deeper tissues including the deltoid muscle. Further research will clarify questions about the volume and concentration of local anesthetic, the role of injected adjuncts, and expected duration of analgesia and anesthesia. Herein we present a description of an axillary nerve block successfully used for deltoid abscess I&D in the ED.
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Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate antibody receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a newly recognized disease increasing in diagnostic frequency. A 27-year-old female presented with symptoms of oral dyskinesia, tachycardia, and altered mental status following a three-month history of depression, lethargy, catatonia, and auditory hallucinations. We utilized our facilities neurology and psychiatry consult services, performed a lumbar puncture (LP), and requested NMDAR antibody titers. ⋯ Organic causes of psychosis are often overlooked in the emergency department, particularly in patients with a history of psychiatric illness. An understanding and awareness of NMDAR encephalitis allows for timely diagnosis, prompting quicker treatment. Emergency physicians should maintain an index of clinical suspicion for NMDAR encephalitis when encountering patients with progressive symptoms of catatonia and psychosis of unclear etiology.