Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Witnessed arrest, but not delayed bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation improves prehospital cardiac arrest survival.
This study correlated the effect of witnessing a cardiac arrest and instituting bystander CPR (ByCPR), as a secondary end point in a study evaluating the effect of bicarbonate on survival. ⋯ Survival after prehospital cardiac arrest is more likely when witnessed, but not necessarily when ByCPR was performed by laymen.
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Blackthorn (Prunus spinosus), a member of Rosacea family is well known for causing infections and tissue reactions of synovial structures. Three interesting cases of cystic blackthorn granuloma, blackthorn synovitis with digital nerve entrapment, and multiple blackthorn syndrome are presented. Removal of foreign body fragments and surrounding reactive tissues resulted in an uneventful recovery with full return of joint and tendon functions.
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There is significant interest in the secondary transport of the critically ill and injured. High profile cases entailing the long distance transfer of patients have highlighted the lack of availability of critical care beds and appropriate systems for transferring this patient group. These and other issues have culminated in the release of Comprehensive Critical Care by the Department of Health in 2000. ⋯ It is imperative that clinicians have an understanding of the issues surrounding transportation of the critically ill and injured. This should include appreciation of the local and regional organisational frameworks implemented for this patient group. This review describes the core issues relevant to emergency medicine relating to the transportation of the critically ill and injured.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Prospective, randomised, double blind, controlled comparison of metoclopramide and pethidine in the emergency treatment of acute primary vascular and tension type headache episodes.
To compare analgesic effects of metoclopramide (MTP), pethidine (PET), and combination of metoclopramide-pethidine (M-PET) in the treatment of adult patients with acute primary vascular and tension type headache admitted in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ These data suggest that MTP produces more effective analgesia than PET in both vascular and tension type headache in patients with acute primary headache episodes.
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A short cut review was carried out to establish whether needle aspiration was an alternative to incision and drainage in the management of breast abscess. Altogether 63 papers were found using the reported search, of which six presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. A clinical bottom line is stated.