The American journal of emergency medicine
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Comparative Study
Pulse oximetry in the adult ED patient with sickle cell.
We performed a retrospective chart review of adult patients with sickle cell presenting with vasoocclusive crisis to determine the association between pulse oximetry and emergency department (ED) disposition. Subjects were divided into a NORMAL (pulse oximetry > or = 95%) and a LOW (pulse oximetry <95%) group. ⋯ No significant differences in historical and physical exam characteristics were found. The pulse oximetry level does not appear to be associated with a particular ED disposition in adult sickle cell anemia.
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Case Reports
Electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation in the trauma patient: acute myocardial infarction vs myocardial contusion.
The diagnosis of myocardial contusion in the setting of blunt trauma engenders much discussion and controversy-partly because of the lack of a gold standard for its identification other than histologic findings at autopsy. Furthermore, blunt cardiac trauma represents a spectrum of disorders ranging from transient electrocardiographic change to sudden death from myocardial rupture; hence, no single terminology exists to define such a wide range of scenarios. Here, we present 2 cases of electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation after high-speed motor vehicle crashes resulting in numerous injuries, including blunt chest trauma. Both patients demonstrated electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation, resulting from myocardial contusion and acute myocardial infarction.
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Letter Case Reports
Slow supraventricular tachycardia in a patient on beta-blocker therapy.