The American journal of emergency medicine
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Ocular trauma is recognized as the leading cause of unilateral blindness. However, few studies to date have focused on the clinical features of hospital-based ocular emergencies. Effectiveness of trauma centers in treating ocular emergencies was compared with treatment in traditional community hospital emergency departments. Demographics, causes, and nature of ocular emergencies, as well as visual outcome in community hospitals emergency departments and trauma centers, were also examined. ⋯ The middle-aged, white men are more vulnerable to ocular injuries caused mainly by motor vehicle accidents. The ability of trauma centers to provide comparable increases in vision outcomes, despite treating more severe ocular emergencies, demonstrates the effectiveness of trauma centers. Patients diagnosed as having orbital contusions or who have fall injuries deserve careful evaluation because they are more likely to have more severe sight-threatening injuries.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of 2 cuff inflation methods of laryngeal mask airway Classic for safe use without cuff manometer in adults.
This single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind, 2-arm, parallel group comparison trial was performed to establish whether the adult-sized laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Classic (The Laryngeal Mask Company Ltd, Henley-on-Thames, UK) could be used safely without any consideration of cuff hyperinflation when a cuff of the LMA Classic was inflated using half the maximum inflation volume or the resting volume before insertion of device. ⋯ The partially inflated cuff method using half the maximum recommended inflation volume or the resting volume is feasible with the adult-sized LMA Classic, resulting in a high success rate of insertion and adequate range of intracuff pressures.
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Hematuria by urine dipstick with absent red blood cells (RBCs) on microscopy is indicative of rhabdomyolysis. We determined the sensitivity of this classic urinalysis (UA) finding in the diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis. ⋯ The combination of a positive urine dip for blood and negative microscopy is an insensitive test for rhabdomyolysis, and the absence of this finding should not be used to exclude the diagnosis.
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Review
Considerations for resuscitation at high altitude in elderly and untrained populations and rescuers.
With the development of transportation technologies, elderly people with chronic diseases are increasingly enjoying trekking and tours of nature resorts that include mountain highlands. Because of problems related to circulation, respiration, metabolism, and/or the musculoskeletal system in this population, the impact of high altitude on cardiopulmonary function is increased. Alpine accidents, therefore, tend to be more common in this population, and cases of cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) at high altitudes seem to be increasing. ⋯ Alpine rescue teams should therefore be well prepared for their increased physical burden and difficult conditions. Elderly travelers should be made aware of their increased risk of CPA in alpine settings. The use of mechanical devices to assist CPR should be considered wherever possible.