The American journal of emergency medicine
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Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients who convert from an initial non-shockable rhythm to a subsequent shockable rhythm reportedly have a better prognosis for survival than those without rhythm conversion. We evaluated the effectiveness of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for OHCA patients with a subsequent shockable rhythm. ⋯ ECPR was associated with increased survival among OHCA patients with a subsequent shockable rhythm.
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Substance-use is a prevalent presentation to the emergency department (ED); however, the clinical characterization of patients who are treated and discharged without admission for further treatment is under-investigated. The study aims to define and characterize the clinical profiles of this patient population. ⋯ The identified clinical profiles represent the broad spectrum and complex nature of substance use-related ED utilization, highlighting critical factors of psychosocial and mental-health comorbidities. These findings provide a preliminary foundation to support person-centered interventions to decrease substance use-related ED utilization and to increase engagement/linkage of patients to addiction treatment.
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Pneumomediastinum is a rare complication of substance use, likely due to a Valsalva maneuver after drug inhalation. There are no previously documented associations between pneumomediastinum and opioid use. ⋯ He required emergent surgical decompression with a "blowhole incision" to his anterior chest. Although a rare complication of polysubstance use, pneumomediastinum can progress to tension physiology, requiring prompt diagnosis and management.