J Emerg Med
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Response time interval (RTI) and scene time interval (STI) are key time variables in the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) cases treated and transported via emergency medical services (EMS). ⋯ Prolonged STI in OHCA with a delayed response time had a negative association with survival outcomes in four Asian metropolitan cities using the scoop-and-run EMS model. Establishing an optimal STI based on the response time could be considered.
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Case Reports
Spontaneous Subclavian Artery Dissection Causing Ischemia of the Medulla Oblongata and Cerebellum.
Spontaneous subclavian artery dissection is a rare etiology. Spontaneous artery dissection causing brain ischemia is rare in all ischemic strokes. However, in young to middle-aged patients with brain ischemia, spontaneous carotid or vertebral artery dissection causing ischemic stroke accounts for 10-25%. ⋯ A 58-year-old man with a history of hypertension presented to the Emergency Department with a sudden onset of left-arm paresthesia and numbness followed by symptoms of vertigo and vomiting. A neurological examination showed left-arm paresthesia, horizontal-rotational nystagmus, and left-side dysmetria according to a finger-to-nose test. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed left subclavian artery dissection. Diffusion-weighted imaging demonstrated hyperintensity in the left medulla oblongata and inferior part of the cerebellum. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Spontaneous artery dissection is an important etiology of ischemic stroke among young patients. Cervical magnetic resonance angiography is the gold standard for the diagnosis of arterial dissection. Cervical disc disease is a common etiology in a patient with neck and shoulder pain without cause or neurologic symptoms, when cervical MRI is negative, however, spontaneous subclavian artery dissection should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a patient, especially in a case of younger patient, presents with acute new-onset neck and shoulder pain followed by the onset of neurological symptoms.
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Subgaleal hematoma (SGH), an abnormal accumulation of blood under the galeal aponeurosis of the scalp, is more commonly observed in newborns and children. According to previous cases, the etiology of SGH includes mild head trauma, vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery, contusion, and hair braiding or pulling. ⋯ A 39-year-old healthy worker came to our emergency department (ED) due to scalp lacerations from an accident that caused severe twisting of his hair. He denied head contusion and was conscious upon arrival. Physical examination showed three lacerations over his right temporal area. The wounds depth extended to the skull, with a 10-cm subperiosteal pocket beneath the lacerations. Primary sutures were performed immediately under local anesthesia, not only for wound closure but also for hemostasis. However, he returned to our ED 3 h after the first visit for a newly developed soft lump over the left side of his forehead. Computed tomography scan of brain illustrated a huge and diffuse SGH in the left temporal region with extension to periorbital region. Although the option of incision and drainage was discussed with a neurosurgeon and a search for some case reports was done, most of the hematoma could be self-limited. Conservative management with non-elastic bandage packing direct compression was applied. The patient was then admitted for close observation and conservative treatment for 1 week. There was no recurrence of SGH in the following 3 months. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: SGH is an uncommon phenomenon that is caused by tearing of the emissary veins in the loose areolar tissue located beneath the galeal aponeurosis. Conservative treatment with bandage compression is recommended for SGH. Surgery is reserved for cases where non-invasive management fails or severe complications.
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An optimized protocol to help dispatchers identify potential cases of cardiac arrest and provide phone instructions for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may increase the provision of bystander CPR, further improving the survival rate and neurological outcomes. ⋯ The study found this DA-CPR protocol, which includes continuous quality control, is promising as it improved the successful recognition of cardiac arrests.
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Observational Study
Use of Prophylactic Ondansetron with Intravenous Opioids in Emergency Department Patients: A Prospective Observational Pilot Study.
The current literature suggests that the prophylactic use of antiemetics is ineffective at preventing nausea or vomiting caused by opioids in the emergency department (ED). While there is no data evaluating ondansetron's efficacy for preventing opioid-induced nausea and vomiting, this practice remains common despite a lack of supporting evidence. ⋯ Our trial found that ondansetron did not appear to be effective at preventing opioid-induced nausea or vomiting. These findings and previous literature suggest prophylactic ondansetron should not be given to ED patients who are receiving IV opioids.