The American journal of emergency medicine
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Reducing diltiazem-related hypotension in atrial fibrillation: Role of pretreatment intravenous calcium.
This study evaluated the efficacy of intravenous (IV) calcium pretreatment for preventing diltiazem-induced hypotension and assessed its safety in adult patients with atrial fibrillation (AF)/atrial flutter (AFL) with rapid ventricular response (RVR). ⋯ IV calcium pretreatment effectively prevents diltiazem-induced hypotension in patients with AF/AFL with RVR without compromising the efficacy of diltiazem in achieving and maintaining ventricular rate control.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparing first pass success of Channeled versus Non-channeled KingVision video laryngoscopes in patients presenting to the emergency department - A randomized control study.
In modern times, the emergency physician (EP) has access to a host of video laryngoscopes (VL). There are different makes, models, angulations in the blades provided by different VLs. The blades may be channeled or non-channeled. In busy emergency departments (ED), ease and speed of intubations in managing the emergent airways may impact the outcome for the patient. ⋯ We found the non-channeled blades to have a significantly higher percentage of first pass success. Performance with respect to time to intubate was similar between the two. We recommend using the non-channeled KVVL for intubations in the EDs.
-
Caring for older adults in the Emergency Department demands compassion, expertise, and adaptability to address the intricate medical and emotional needs of this vulnerable population. Key geriatric emergency medicine articles from 2023 highlight the evolving landscape of this field: updates to the Beers Criteria for potentially inappropriate medications, medications most implicated in causing delirium, geriatric trauma centers, behavioral problems in persons with dementia, geriatric syndrome detection, and emergency department (ED) process outcomes in geriatric EDs. As healthcare organizations shift to focus on the larger continuum of care that extends beyond the ED visit, we also highlight a novel program from the Veterans Affairs bringing former military medics to the home to improve outcomes after ED discharge. This review highlights practice-changing updates to improve the management of older adults in the ED.
-
Comparative Study
Assessing the evolution of pre-hospital combat casualty care: A comparative study of two conflicts a decade apart.
Combat casualty care has advanced significantly with the implementation of evidence-based protocols designed to lower combat-related mortality. Over the last decade, two major urban conflicts in southern Israel have challenged the evolving military trauma system. This study aimed to assess differences in prehospital care and compare the outcomes of aeromedically evacuated casualties from the 2014 and 2023 conflicts. ⋯ Over the past decade, there has been a decline in prehospital airway interventions and thoracostomies, coupled with an increase in early blood transfusions. Despite greater injury severity, mortality rates have remained stable. Although not statistically significant, lower mortality rates were recorded among the severely and critically injured. These findings support the "less is more" approach in modern prehospital combat casualty care.