The American journal of emergency medicine
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There are 5000-10,000 snake envenomations annually in the United States. Fortunately, few are fatal. In this study we review the epidemiology of fatal snakebites. ⋯ Death following envenomation from a native U.S. snake is unlikely, particularly if medical attention is sought promptly. Rattlesnake envenomations are more likely to be fatal than bites from other species. Intentionally engaging with a venomous snake raises the risk of incurring a fatal bite, as does concurrent alcohol or drug use. Age less than 12 years old does not appear to be a risk factor for a fatal outcome, while elderly patients may have a slightly increased risk of death.
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Little is known about the role of gender in the dual biomarker strategy using copeptin and troponin for the early rule-out of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). We aimed to evaluate gender-based differences on copeptin levels, combined negative predictive value (NPV) and predictors of copeptin elevation at admission. ⋯ Men with suspected NSTEMI have higher copeptin levels. The dual biomarker rule-out strategy has a similar performance in both male and female patients. Certain predictors of copeptin elevation are gender-specific.
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Mortality for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is high when traditional chest compressions are used without adjuncts. The abdominal aortic and junctional tourniquet (AAJT) is a device with a wedge-shaped air bladder that occludes the aortic bifurcation, augmenting blood flow to the heart and brain. Previously, the addition of AAJT during chest compression led to an increase in rate of survival in a model of traumatic cardiac arrest. ⋯ The AAJT did not confer a survival advantage during chest compressions, but hemodynamic improvements were observed while the AAJT was in place.
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Many laboratory indicators form a skewed distribution with outliers in critically ill patients with COVID-19, for which robust methods are needed to precisely determine and quantify fatality risk factors. ⋯ Laboratory indexes provided reliable information on mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19, which might help improve clinical prediction and treatment at an early stage.