The American journal of emergency medicine
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Multicenter Study Meta Analysis
Efficacy and safety of erythropoietin in patients with traumatic brain injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on mortality and neurological outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ Results of the present meta-analysis suggest that the use of EPO may prevent death following TBI without causing adverse events, such as deep vein thrombosis. However, the role of EPO in improving neurological outcome(s) remains unclear. Further well-designed, randomized controlled trials using modified protocols and involving specific patient populations are required to clarify this issue, and to verify the findings.
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Septic shock is a life threatening condition and a medical emergency. It is associated with organ dysfunction and hypotension despite optimal volume resuscitation. Refractory septic shock carries a very high rate of mortality and is associated with ischemic and arrhythmogenic complications from high dose vasopressors. ⋯ It is a vasopressor agent that has been recently approved by FDA to be used in conjunction with other vasopressors (catecholamines) in refractory shock and to reduce catecholamine requirements. We have reviewed the physiology and current literature on AT-II in refractory septic/vasodilatory shock. Larger trials with longer duration of follow-up are warranted to address the questions which are unanswered by the ATHOS-3 trial, especially pertaining to its effects on lungs, brain, microcirculation, inflammation, and venous thromboembolism risk.
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Review Meta Analysis
Point of care ultrasound is associated with decreased ED length of stay for symptomatic early pregnancy.
Emergency physicians (EP) can accurately rule out ectopic pregnancy with pelvic point of care ultrasound (PPOCUS). Multiple studies have suggested that PPOCUS may decrease length of stay (LOS) for emergency department (ED) patients presenting with early symptomatic pregnancy compared to comprehensive ultrasound (CUS). This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the association between the use of PPOCUS vs CUS and ED LOS. ⋯ Use of PPOCUS in the evaluation of patients with symptomatic early pregnancy is associated with decreased LOS in patients ultimately diagnosed with intrauterine pregnancy. This review suggests that this finding is generalizable to a variety of practice settings.
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Review Meta Analysis
Point of care ultrasound is associated with decreased ED length of stay for symptomatic early pregnancy.
Emergency physicians (EP) can accurately rule out ectopic pregnancy with pelvic point of care ultrasound (PPOCUS). Multiple studies have suggested that PPOCUS may decrease length of stay (LOS) for emergency department (ED) patients presenting with early symptomatic pregnancy compared to comprehensive ultrasound (CUS). This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the association between the use of PPOCUS vs CUS and ED LOS. ⋯ Use of PPOCUS in the evaluation of patients with symptomatic early pregnancy is associated with decreased LOS in patients ultimately diagnosed with intrauterine pregnancy. This review suggests that this finding is generalizable to a variety of practice settings.
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Partial thickness burns are the most common form of thermal burns. Traditionally, dressing for these burns is simple gauze with silver sulfadiazine (SSD) changed on a daily basis. Foam dressings have been proposed to offer the advantage of requiring less frequent dressing change and better absorption of exudates. ⋯ Moderate quality evidence indicates that there is no significant difference in wound healing between silver-containing foam dressing and SSD dressing. However, foam has the added benefit of reduced pain during the early treatment phase and potentially decreased infection rates.