European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A pilot case-control study of behavioral aspects and risk factors in Swiss climbers.
Climbing is a popular sport in Switzerland, with approximately 100 000 active participants. There is an inherent risk of falls, overuse and stress-related trauma, with a reported injury rate of 4.2 injuries per 1000 climbing hours. ⋯ Climbers with higher experience seem to be more prone to injuries. Larger studies on this subgroup are warranted, to identify typical risk profiles and to develop preventive strategies. Furthermore, climbers should be advised about the increased injury risk when trying new climbing routes and specific information should be given.
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Multicenter Study
Prehospital ultrasound in emergency medicine: incidence, feasibility, indications and diagnoses.
Sonography is an established diagnostic procedure in hospitals, but is not routinely used in prehospital emergency medicine. Several studies have addressed the use of ultrasound during helicopter flights and in emergency rooms, few in prehospital settings, but most focused on abdominal blunt trauma. Several case reports describe crucial decisions distinguished by ultrasound. ⋯ Ultrasound is the only imaging modality and a useful diagnostic tool in prehospital emergency medicine. Helpful information can be provided in at least one of six cases (or even more) in a trauma-dominated collective. Examination time is short; it will not significantly delay medical care. Ultrasound examination could improve triage in cases of more than one patient in disaster medicine, but further studies are necessary.
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Multicenter Study
Emergencies related to cocaine use: a European multicentre study of expert interviews.
Illicit drug use can lead to acute reverse reactions leading to the admission to emergency departments. Cocaine-related emergencies have been monitored in the USA, but not in Europe so far. The study investigates patterns of cocaine emergencies in eight European cities in a multicentre cross-sectional study conducted in Barcelona, Budapest, Dublin, Hamburg, London, Rome, Vienna and Zurich. ⋯ Patterns of complaints among cocaine users are associated with the psychomotor-stimulant or cardiovascular effects of cocaine. Urine screens and referrals to the addiction services are infrequent. A closer link between the emergency departments and addiction services would help in guiding problematic drug users towards appropriate treatment at an earlier stage in the addiction process.
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Multicenter Study
Outcome of brain trauma patients who have a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 and bilateral fixed and dilated pupils in the field.
To investigate the outcome of brain trauma patients who had a Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS) of 3 and bilateral fixed and dilated pupils (BFDP) in the field. ⋯ Patients with a GCS of 3 and BFDP in the field should be resuscitated aggressively, especially if the trauma seems to be not too severe.
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Multicenter Study
Predictors of early seizure recurrence in patients admitted for seizures in the Emergency Department.
To determine the frequency of early seizure recurrence (ESR) and to evaluate predictors of ESR among patients attending the Emergency Department (ED) for seizure. ⋯ ESR is common in the ED setting. Alcohol consumption, capillary glucose, and abnormal neurological examination on arrival at the ED are associated with increased risk of ESR.