The American journal of emergency medicine
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Assessment of dextrose 50 bolus versus dextrose 10 infusion in the management of hyperkalemia in the emergency department.
Hypoglycemia is a common adverse effect when intravenous (IV) insulin is administered for hyperkalemia. A prolonged infusion of dextrose 10% (D10) may mitigate hypoglycemia compared to dextrose 50% (D50) bolus. Our objective was to evaluate whether D10 infusion is a safe and effective alternative to D50 bolus for hypoglycemia prevention in hyperkalemic patients receiving IV insulin. ⋯ In our study, D10 infusions appeared to be at least as effective as D50 bolus in preventing hypoglycemia in hyperkalemic patients receiving IV insulin. In context of ongoing D50 injection shortages, D10 infusions should be a therapeutic strategy in this patient population.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparing intranasal ketamine with intravenous fentanyl in reducing pain in patients with renal colic: A double-blind randomized clinical trial.
Kidney stones are a fairly common problem that manifests itself as symptoms of acute abdominal and flank pains in patients presenting to emergency departments. ⋯ Ketamine was found to be less effective than fentanyl in controlling renal colic-induced pain, and to be associated with a higher prevalence of side-effects; nevertheless, ketamine can be effective in controlling this pain in conjunction with other medications.
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Dual Sequential Defibrillation (DSD) has shown promise in the management of refractory ventricular fibrillation (RVF). In the recent past, there have been a number of reports on the topic with varying results. Some studies have concluded that DSD provides no benefit over standard defibrillation therapy of RVF in terms of survival and neurological outcome. ⋯ It is suggested that earlier use of DSD can potentially improve ROSC, ultimate survival, and neurological outcome. After a review of the existing literature on the topic, we will propose that DSD be considered for use at a much earlier time in the resuscitation of patients with RVF. In addition to the consideration of its use in resuscitation, clinicians and device manufacturers must also address the impact on the two defibrillation devices employed in DSD due to the potential for damage and resultant defibrillator dysfunction.
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Review Historical Article
Emergency medicine in China: A review of the history of progress and current and future challenges after 40 years of reform.
The year 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform, tremendous change had taken place in Chinese society. Looking back 40 years from 1978 to 2018, China's medical reform had made remarkable achievements, but still faces many challenges. These papers review the historical progress of emergency medicine, the current and the future challenges in China's medical reform process.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Kinesiotaping for isolated rib fractures in emergency department.
Rib fractures, which are among the most common injuries in blunt thoracic trauma, are usually encountered in Emergency Departments. Kinesiotape (KT) is a drug-free elastic therapeutic tape used for treating various musculoskeletal problems such as injury, dysfunction and pain. We aimed to investigate whether kinesotaping should be used safely and effectively in rib fractures in emergency setting. ⋯ This study investigated the use of kinesiotaping in emergency departments. When compared to NSAID therapy alone, combined kinesiotaping and NSAID therapy appears to be more effective in terms of pain reduction in rib fractures.