J Emerg Med
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Cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation 2005 recommend epinephrine for its treatment. ⋯ A vasodilatator, when administered in combination with a vasopressor such as epinephrine during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, increases coronary perfusion pressure.
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Numerous studies have shown significant benefits of using real-time ultrasonography for central line intravenous access. Traditionally, the ultrasound probe is placed along the short axis of the vein to visualize and direct needle placement. This view has some limitations, particularly being able to visualize the needle tip. Some practitioners place the ultrasound probe in the long axis of the vessel to direct needle placement, allowing better visualization of the needle entering the vein, but this does not allow visualization of relevant anatomic structures. ⋯ Ultrasound-guided vascular access can be obtained in a variety of ways. We describe a technique that is used by some experienced ultrasound users but that has never been fully described in the literature. This technique for obtaining ultrasound-guided vascular access offers another option for attempting ultrasound-guided vascular access that has the potential to improve success rates and minimize complications associated with intravenous access.
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The objective of this study was to evaluate the faculty and graduate training profiles of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) fellowship training programs. An electronic 10-point questionnaire was sent to 57 PEM fellowship directors, with a 70% response rate. Analysis of the individual certification of faculty members in PEM training programs demonstrated that the largest represented training types were general pediatricians and pediatricians with PEM sub-certification (29% and 62% representation, respectively). ⋯ Lastly, program directors report that 95% of past graduates received their primary board certification through Pediatrics and only 5% received their primary board certification through Emergency Medicine. There are currently many more pediatric-trained physicians among PEM fellowship faculty and graduates. This survey has demonstrated that there has been a decline in EM-trained physicians involved in PEM fellowships since 2000.
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Severe hemorrhagic shock often results in cardiac arrest due to vital organ hypoperfusion, especially of the heart. Although fluid resuscitation is the mainstay of management in hemorrhagic shock, treatment of cardiac arrest in association with severe hemorrhagic shock is unclear. ⋯ Early use of norepinephrine in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock increased mean arterial pressure during the resuscitation period and delayed the onset of cardiac arrest.