The American journal of emergency medicine
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Comparative Study
Evaluation of the blood pressure effects of diltiazem versus metoprolol in the acute treatment of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate.
To evaluate the difference in blood pressure effects of diltiazem intravenous push (IVP) and metoprolol IVP in the acute management of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate (AF with RVR). ⋯ No significant difference was observed in the blood pressure effects of diltiazem IVP versus metoprolol IVP in the acute management of AF with RVR.
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To describe the emergency department (ED) triage of anaphylaxis patients based on the Emergency Severity Index (ESI), assess the association between ESI triage level and ED epinephrine administration, and determine characteristics associated with lower acuity triage ESI assignment (levels 3 and 4). ⋯ Patients triaged to lower acuity ESI levels experienced delays in ED epinephrine administration. Adult and pediatric patients with skin-related chief concerns were more likely to be to be assigned lower acuity ESI levels. Further studies are needed to identify interventions that will improve ED anaphylaxis triage.
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Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is associated with a poor prognosis and a highly variable survival rate. Few studies have focused on outcomes in rural and urban groups while also evaluating underlying diseases and prehospital factors for OHCAs. ⋯ Compared with rural areas, OHCA in urban areas are associated with a higher 24-h survival rate. Shorter EMS response time and a higher probability of being attended by paramedics were noted in urban areas. Although shorter EMS response time, younger age, public location, defibrillation by an automated external defibrillator, and attendance by Emergency Medical Technician-paramedics were associated with a higher rate of survival to hospital discharge, urban area was not an independent prognostic factor for survival to hospital discharge in OHCA patients.