The American journal of emergency medicine
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Black widow species (Latrodectus species) envenomation can produce a syndrome characterized by painful muscle rigidity and autonomic disturbances. Symptoms tend to be more severe in young children and adults. We describe black widow spider exposures and treatment in the pediatric age group, and investigate reasons for not using antivenom in severe cases. ⋯ In our study, most symptomatic black widow envenomations were minor. Relatively few patients received antivenom, but antivenom use was associated with shorter symptom duration among moderate and major outcome groups.
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In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients resuscitated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO), known as extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), bleeding is a common complication. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk factors for bleeding complications in ECPR patients. ⋯ D-dimer levels may predict major bleeding in ECPR patients, suggesting that hyperfibrinolysis may be related to bleeding.
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We report a 24year old female who presented with sudden and severe headaches after recent carbon monoxide poisoning. Imaging revealed an acute cerebral venous thrombosis. ⋯ However, little data is available regarding the correlation between carbon monoxide poisoning and cerebral venous thrombosis. This case demonstrates that such a correlation should be considered in acute intracerebral thrombotic events.