Can J Emerg Med
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ABSTRACTObjectives:Blood glucose can be lowered via insulin and/or fluid administration. Insulin, although efficacious, can cause hypoglycemia and hypokalemia. Fluids do not cause hypoglycemia or hypokalemia, but the most effective route of fluid administration has not been well described. ⋯ No adverse events were observed in either group. Conclusion:In this unblinded randomized trial, oral and intravenous fluids were equally efficacious in lowering blood glucose levels in stable hyperglycemic patients and no adverse events were noted. Physicians should be mindful that, although similar, the reduction in blood glucose was modest in both groups.
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ABSTRACTIntroduction:Computerized interpretation of the prehospital electrocardiogram (ECG) is increasingly being used in the basic life support (BLS) ambulance setting to reduce delays to treatment for patients suspected of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Objectives:To estimate 1) predictive values of computerized prehospital 12-lead ECG interpretation for STEMI and 2) additional on-scene time for 12-lead ECG acquisition. Methods:Over a 2-year period, 1,247 ECGs acquired by primary care paramedics for suspected STEMI were collected. ⋯ Conclusions:The predictive values of the computerized prehospital ECG interpretation appear to be adequate for diversion programs that direct patients with a positive result to hospitals with angioplasty facilities. The estimated 26.0% chance that a positive interpretation is false is likely too high for activation of a catheterization laboratory from the field. Acquiring prehospital ECGs does not substantially increase on-scene time in the BLS setting.
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ABSTRACTObjectives:Computed tomography (CT) use is increasing in the emergency department (ED). Many physicians are concerned about exposing patients to radiation from CT scanning, but estimates of radiation doses vary. This study's objective was to determine the radiation doses from CT scanning for common indications in a Canadian ED using modern multidetector CT scanners. ⋯ Mean doses for the most common indications were as follows: simple head, 2.9 mSv; cervical spine, 5.7 mSv; complex head, 9.3 mSv; CT pulmonary angiogram, 11.2 mSv; abdomen (nontraumatic abdominal pain), 15.4 mSv; and abdomen (renal colic), 9.8 mSv. Conclusions:Approximately one in seven ED patients had a CT scan. Emergency physicians should be aware of typical radiation doses for the studies they order and how the dose varies by protocol and indication.
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Clinical questionDoes epinephrine (adrenaline) used in the context of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest improve outcomes?Article chosenJacobs IG, Finn JC, Jelinek GA, et al. Effect of adrenaline on survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Resuscitation 2011;82:1138-43. ObjectiveTo determine the effect of epinephrine in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest on patient survival to hospital discharge, prehospital return of spontaneous circulation, and neurologic outcomes.
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ABSTRACTObjectives:Bystander resuscitation efforts, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED), save lives in cardiac arrest cases. School training in CPR and AED use may increase the currently low community rates of bystander resuscitation. The study objective was to determine the rates of CPR and AED training in Toronto secondary schools and to identify barriers to training and training techniques. ⋯ Conclusions:CPR training rates for staff and students were moderate overall and lowest in private schools, whereas training rates in AED use were poor in all schools. Identified barriers to training include cost and student population size (perceived to be too small to be cost-effective or too large to be implemented). Future studies should assess the application of convenient and cost-effective teaching alternatives not presently in use.