The American journal of emergency medicine
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We present the case of a 20-year-old male patient without previous history of cardiovascular disease who was admitted to our hospital with a new onset febrile sensation and chest pain. Chest computed tomography revealed a subpleural consolidation with a halo of ground-glass opacification. ⋯ Cardiac MRI showed myocardial edema and late gadolinium enhancement compatible with myocarditis associated with COVID-19 infection. This case showed that acute myocarditis can be the initial presentation of patients with COVID-19 infection.
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Comparative Study
Weight-based versus non-weight-based diltiazem dosing in the setting of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response.
There is conflicting evidence to support the superiority of weight-based (WB) dosing of intravenous (IV) diltiazem over non-weight-based (NWB) dosing strategies in the management of atrial fibrillation (AFib) with rapid ventricular response (RVR). ⋯ In patients presenting with AF with RVR, there was no significant difference in achieving a therapeutic response between the two strategies. A WB dosing approach did result in a greater proportion of patients with a HR < 100 bpm. The utilization of IBW for WB dosing may result in an increased achievement of a therapeutic response.
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Sepsis is a significant public health crisis in the United States, contributing to 50% of inpatient hospital deaths. Given its dramatic health effects and implications in the setting of new CMS care guidelines, ED leaders have renewed focus on appropriate and timely sepsis care, including timely administration of antibiotics in patients at risk for sepsis. ⋯ A retrospective cohort analysis was performed, with the primary finding that utilization of the Sepsis Huddle resulted in antibiotics being administered on average 41 min sooner than when the Sepsis Huddle was not performed. Given that literature suggests that early administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy is a major driver of mortality reduction in patients with sepsis, this study represents a proof of concept that utilization of a Sepsis Huddle may serve to improve outcomes among ED patients at risk for sepsis.
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Case Reports
How would you like your COVID-19? From a host with mild course disease, or from a severe one?
The clinical course of COVID-19 presents a broad spectrum, being asymptomatic in some individuals while following a severe course and resulting in mortality in others. It is known that such factors as age and chronic diseases can result in a different clinical courses in individuals, however, variable clinical courses among the similar individuals in terms of age and chronic diseases are also seen. Other possible factors affecting the course of the disease that are mostly speculative or under investigation are genetic factors and the origin of transmission or possible subtype of novel coronavirus. ⋯ A case series composed of seven individuals in a similar age group, with different lines of descent and different genetic structures, but who were infected from the same source is presented here. The similar and different clinical, laboratory and radiological findings of the cases residing in the same nursing home, who presented to the hospital altogether, were evaluated. The aim of the study was to analyze whether the source of transmission is influential in the clinical course of the disease.
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Observational Study
The NACA score as a predictor of ventricular cardiac arrhythmias - A retrospective six-year study.
Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) conducts the evaluation of a patient's condition using NACA score before transporting the patient to hospital. The conditions inside the rescue helicopter limit or even make it impossible to conduct some medical procedures. An appropriate classification of the patient may lead to a lower possibility of occurrence of adverse events during the flight. The aim of the research was to evaluate the correlation of NACA score with the cardiac arrhythmia that may be life threatening. ⋯ NACA score allows to predict the risk of occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia of the myocardium as well as cardiac arrest. The possibility of occurrence of a life-threatening rhythm is significantly higher in patients classified as NACA IV or higher.