Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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Review Meta Analysis
Assessing the one-month mortality impact of civilian-setting prehospital transfusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Based on convincing evidence for outcomes improvement in the military setting, the past decade has seen evaluation of prehospital transfusion (PHT) in the civilian emergency medical services (EMS) setting. Evidence synthesis has been challenging, due to study design variation with respect to both exposure (type of blood product administered) and outcome (endpoint definitions and timing). The goal of the current meta-analysis was to execute an overarching assessment of all civilian-arena randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence focusing on administration of blood products compared to control of no blood products. ⋯ Current evidence does not demonstrate 1-month mortality benefit of civilian-setting PHT. This should give pause to EMS systems considering adoption of civilian-setting PHT programs. Further studies should not only focus on which formulations of blood products might improve outcomes but also focus on which patients are most likely to benefit from any form of civilian-setting PHT.
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Review Meta Analysis
Phenobarbital Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Despite frequent treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) in the emergency department (ED), evidence for phenobarbital (PB) as an ED alternative therapy is mixed. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing safety and efficacy of PB to benzodiazepines (BZDs) for treatment of AWS in the ED. ⋯ The current literature base does not show that treatment with PB significantly reduces ICU admissions, hospital admissions, ED readmissions, or adverse events in ED patients with AWS compared with BZDs alone.
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Review Meta Analysis
Blood biomarkers for the differentiation between central and peripheral vertigo in the emergency department: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
In patients with acute vestibular syndrome (AVS), differentiating between stroke and nonstroke causes is challenging in the emergency department (ED). Correct diagnosis of vertigo etiology is essential for early optimum treatment and disposition. ⋯ This systematic review and meta-analysis highlights the potential of generalized inflammatory markers and brain-specific blood protein markers of NSE and S100β as diagnostic biomarkers for central from peripheral differentiation in AVS. These results, as a complement to clinical characteristics, provide guidance for future large-scale diagnostic research, in this challenging ED patient population.
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Review Meta Analysis
Peripheral nervous system and neuromuscular disorders in the emergency department: A review.
Acute presentations and emergencies in neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) often challenge clinical acumen. The objective of this review is to refine the reader's approach to history taking, clinical localization and early diagnosis, as well as emergency management of neuromuscular emergencies. ⋯ Fortunately, early diagnosis and management can improve prognosis. This article provides a comprehensive review of acute presentations in neuromuscular disorders relevant for the emergency physician.
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Review Meta Analysis
Oral analgesic for musculoskeletal injuries in children: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Pain in pediatric musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries can lead to increased anxiety, fear, and avoidance of medical care, making analgesic management critical. Therefore, we evaluated analgesic efficacy and adverse effects to select the optimal analgesic agent in pediatric patients with MSK injuries. ⋯ Our NMA found ibuprofen to be the most effective and least adverse analgesic in pediatric patients with MSK injuries.