Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
-
A study was undertaken to investigate retrospectively whether or not the appearance of an extensor reaction to pain stimulation immediately after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) from cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) is a sign of a favourable outcome. ⋯ An abnormal response of the extremities to pain stimulation immediately after ROSC tends to be a sign of a favourable outcome in patients without convulsions.
-
We present a patient who complained of right flank pain resulting from spontaneous intercostal artery rupture while sleeping. He did not have symptoms or a history to suggest other diseases or trauma except hypertension. ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the second report in the literature documenting spontaneous intercostal artery rupture without associated illness or injury. Through comparison with the first reported case, we discuss the cause, the vulnerable site, and the treatment of spontaneous intercostal bleeding.
-
Controlled Clinical Trial
A novel method to assist nasogastric tube insertion.
It can sometimes be difficult to insert a nasogastric tube (NGT) in a patient in whom intubation has been performed. Because of the patient's inability to swallow and the presence of the inflated cuff of the endotracheal tube, the NGT will often become coiled in the oral cavity. A previous study showed that rigid tubes require fewer insertion attempts than flexible tubes. An attempt was therefore made to increase the rigidity of NGTs by filling the tube with water (water-fill method). The objective of this study was to investigate whether water-filled NGTs would facilitate tube insertion. ⋯ The water-fill method is a simple and fast method to facilitate NGT insertion in intubated patients.