The American journal of emergency medicine
-
Factors associated with pneumonia in post-cardiac arrest patients receiving therapeutic hypothermia.
The aim of this study is to investigate risk factors associated with the development of pneumonia during the first 7 days of admission in survivors of cardiac arrest receiving therapeutic hypothermia. ⋯ Postanoxic seizure and prolonged duration of MV are independently associated with development of pneumonia. It may be helpful that we give more attention to the development of pneumonia in patients with postanoxic seizure and provide prompt diagnosis and treatment of postanoxic seizure.
-
Case Reports
Central extracorporeal membrane oxygenation requiring pulmonary arterial venting after near-drowning.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an effective respiratory and circulatory support in patients in refractory cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. Peripheral ECMO sometimes requires left heart drainage; however, few reports state that pulmonary arterial (PA) venting is required during ECMO support. We present a case of a 14-year-old boy who required PA venting during ECMO support after resuscitation from near-drowning in freshwater. ⋯ Central ECMO with PA venting was then performed. On day 13, central ECMO was converted to biventricular assist device with an oxygenator, which was removed on day 16. This case suggests that PA venting during ECMO support may be necessary in some cases of respiratory and circulatory failure with high pulmonary vascular resistance after near-drowning.
-
To investigate the predictive role of serum uric acid (SUA) levels measured in the emergency department (ED) to monitor contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and correlation with severity of nephropathy in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). ⋯ The SUA level is a simple independent early predictor of CIN in patients who underwent primary PCI, and early detection may help prevent the progression of CIN.
-
Case Reports
Compartment syndrome as a complication of ileofemoral deep venous thrombosis:a case presentation.
A 22-year-old morbidly obese, nonpregnant woman presented with left ileofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) presenting as low back pain and bilateral, left greater than right, leg swelling and pain for 2 days. While on heparin, she developed compartment syndrome in her left leg and had evidence of dead muscle tissue at the time of fasciotomy. Three options exist for treatment of ileofemoral DVT: catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT), CDT plus pharmacomechanical thrombolysis or percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy, and surgical thrombectomy. ⋯ Standard anticoagulation alone is likely not a sufficient treatment for ileofemoral DVT. Other therapies including CDT, CDT plus pharmacomechanical thrombolysis or percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy, or surgical thrombectomy to address lysis of the clot should be attempted first or in conjunction with anticoagulation for appropriate patients. Catheter-directed thrombolysis with or without pharmacomechanical thrombolysis is the preferred initial treatment.
-
Isolated splenic peliosis is an extremely uncommon condition that can present with atraumatic rupture and potential fatal outcome. We here report 1 such case that developed after a viperine bite in a 21-year-old woman. The case highlights the diagnostic findings on computed tomographic (CT) scan and its potential complications.