The American journal of emergency medicine
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Case Reports Observational Study
Phenibut exposures and clinical effects reported to a regional poison center.
Phenibut is a synthetically produced central nervous system (CNS) depressant that is structurally similar to the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Phenibut has been identified as a drug of abuse with numerous clinical effects in overdose and a withdrawal syndrome with chronic use. The purpose of this study is to report the incidence of exposure calls regarding phenibut to a poison center, describe the reasons for its use and clinical effects. ⋯ Exposure calls to a regional poison center regarding phenibut have increased over the past five years. CNS depression was common, and associated with significant clinical outcomes including respiratory failure requiring intubation. As phenibut is easily attainable and exposures appear to be increasing, physicians should be aware of phenibut-associated CNS and respiratory depression and be prepared to manage airways appropriately.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Balanced crystalloids versus normal saline for fluid resuscitation in critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.
Intravenous resuscitation with balanced crystalloid fluids does not reduce mortality or kidney injury compared with normal saline in critically ill patients.
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Overdose of valproic acid (VPA) or its derivatives can cause significant toxicities such as hyperammonemia or altered mental status. While levocarnitine has been used historically to manage VPA-associated hyperammonemia, no standard of therapy exists to manage VPA toxicity. We present a case of VPA overdose managed with meropenem in addition to levocarnitine. ⋯ Carbapenem antibiotics inhibit acylpeptide hydrolase in the gastrointestinal tract. Inhibition of this enzyme prevents the reabsorption of metabolized VPA and therefore causes increased elimination. Our patient demonstrated a rapid lowering of VPA levels after administration of meropenem.
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Observational Study
BLUE protocol ultrasonography in Emergency Department patients presenting with acute dyspnea.
Dyspnea is a common Emergency Department (ED) symptom requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. The bedside lung ultrasonography in emergency (BLUE) protocol is defined as a bedside diagnostic tool in intensive care units. The aim of this study was to investigate the test performance characteristics of the BLUE-protocol ultrasonography in ED patients presenting with acute dyspnea. ⋯ The BLUE-protocol can be used confidently in acute dyspneic ED patients. For better diagnostic utility of the BLUE-protocol in EDs, it is recommended that the BLUE-protocol be modified for the assessment of pleural and pericardial effusion. Further diagnostic evaluations are needed in asthma/COPD groups in terms of the BLUE-protocol.
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Bidirectional ventricular tachycardia (BVT) is a tachyarrhythmia characterized by 180-degree beat-to-beat alteration in the QRS axis. BVT is traditionally known as an electrocardiography (ECG) finding pathognomonic of digitalis poisoning and a hallmark of catecholamine-induced ventricular tachycardia. Apart from digitalis poisoning, aconitine poisoning is the only reported cause of poisoning-related BVT, and no report of caffeine-poisoning-related BVT is as yet available. ⋯ Caffeine acts on the ryanodine receptor to promote calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and thus can induce BVT via the same mechanism. Caffeine poisoning can be treated by dialysis. In cases of BVT induced by caffeine poisoning, hemodynamic stabilization can be achieved by emergency dialysis.