The American journal of emergency medicine
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Comparative Study
Levalbuterol compared with racemic albuterol in the treatment of acute asthma: results of a pilot study.
This was a prospective, open-label, nonrandomized pilot study to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of levalbuterol (LEV) in acute asthma. Asthmatics (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], 20-55% predicted) were sequentially enrolled into cohorts of 12 to 14 and received 0.63, 1.25, 2.5, 3.75, or 5.0 mg LEV or 2.5 or 5.0 mg racemic albuterol (RAC) every 20 minutes x 3. After the first dose, FEV1 changes were 56% (0.6 L) for 1.25 mg LEV and 6% (0.07 L) and 14% (0.21 L) for 2.5 and 5 mg RAC respectively. ⋯ LEV at a dose of 1.25 mg produced effective bronchodilation that was greater than both RAC doses. The negative correlation between (S)-albuterol levels and FEV1 could suggest a deleterious effect of (S)-albuterol. Larger comparative studies are warranted.
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Obesity is a major health care problem in the United States. The body mass index (BMI) is the standard measure of obesity. ⋯ Given the incidence of obesity in the general population, it is likely that EM physicians will be involved in the emergency care of critically ill or injured obese patients. The objective of this article is to present the clinical problems associated with the resuscitation of the critically ill or injured obese patient and their potential solutions.
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Inguinal hernias are a common problem but often present with diagnostic dilemmas, in part as a result of the complex anatomy of the region. A simplified analogy is put forward in the hope of increasing the understanding of the anatomy and some guidance given in an endeavor to differentiate direct and indirect hernias, with significance to their possible complication rates.
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Comparative Study
Laryngeal mask airway control versus endotracheal intubation by medical personnel wearing protective gear.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rates of successful airway control using endotracheal tubes (ETs) or laryngeal mask airways (LMAs) and compare them between anesthetists and non-anesthetists wearing full antichemical protective gear. Anesthetists and non-anesthetists (n = 10 per group) twice attempted inserting ETs and LMAs on a mannequin model of airway management in a crossover, prospective manner. Times to successful insertion and failure rates were recorded. ⋯ Respective mean times to successfully inserting ETs were 38 +/- 7.1 and 26.4 +/- 7.5 seconds (P < .05). Both groups inserted LMAs more rapidly than ETs (P < .05) and their failure rates in ET use were higher. In view of the relative rapidity by which LMAs were inserted as compared with ETs, by fully protected caregivers, the incorporation of LMA in algorithms dealing with emergency airway management in a nonconventional mass casualty scenario deserves further evaluation.
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Evaluation of tube position is important after in-hospital and prehospital emergency intubation. Colorimetric breath indicators are devices for immediate control of tube positioning by showing a color change according to end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) concentrations. We hypothesized that colorimetric breath indicators can yield reliable results for confirmation of tube position. ⋯ The Colibri worked well in all groups investigated and showed no false results in the group with tubes inserted into the trachea and esophagus. Data suggest that the Colibri might serve as a valuable tool for evaluating and controlling tube position. This device is independent of power supply or electronic equipment, portable, small, and immediately ready for use.