Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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To determine whether cardiohaemodynamic parameters, using non-invasive thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB), can differentiate between cardiac and non-cardiac causes of acute breathlessness in adult emergency department (ED) patients. ⋯ This study demonstrated that non-invasive TEB cardiohaemodynamic parameters can differentiate between cardiac and non-cardiac-related causes of dyspnoea in ED patients presenting with acute breathlessness. A large-scale trial is required to determine if TEB-derived cardiohaemodynamic information can aid ED clinicians in their early clinical decision-making and improve the care and outcome of patients with dyspnoea.
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The Hoffa fracture is a rare unicondylar fracture of the lower femur that occurs in the coronal plane. The nature of the fracture pattern makes it both radiologically and clinically difficult to diagnose. ⋯ A high degree of suspicion is warranted to avoid missing these fractures which have a propensity to displace if not fixed. This report highlights the clinical presentation and management of a Hoffa fracture in a patient presenting with polytrauma and reviews the current literature.
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Heat stroke is rare and usually occurs in warm conditions. It is often fatal. This paper reports six runners from two road-running events who developed heat stroke despite cool conditions and who improved quickly with immediate treatment.