Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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To determine the optimal cut-off values of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) for the diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) in 1040 Korean patients with dyspnoea visiting emergency departments. ⋯ The BNP concentration used for the diagnosis of CHF in Korean people is considerably higher than the normal cut-off value of 100 pg/mL. In the non-CHF patients, the BNP values of women were influenced less by underlying disease. This suggests that the factors that influence BNP values in women are different from those in men.
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Case Reports
The use of a cardiac output monitor to guide the initial fluid resuscitation in a patient with burns.
A case of initial resuscitation of a patient with severe burns is described. Such patients can have hypotension and reduced organ perfusion for a number of reasons, and can remain in the emergency department for many hours while awaiting transfer to specialist centres. ⋯ The case demonstrates that relying on fluid regimes alone can lead to insufficient resuscitation. We suggest that using technologies such as those mentioned in this article, which have the potential to be used in the emergency department, could improve the initial resuscitation of patients with burns.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the role of formoterol in the management of acute asthma.
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of formoterol delivered by Aerolizer in the emergency department. ⋯ Formoterol was found to be well tolerated and as effective as salbutamol in the management of acute asthma. Further studies are needed to follow the patients after discharge from the emergency room to compare the long-term effect of formoterol on patients' stability.