Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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A short-cut review was carried out to establish whether the application of cricoid pressure during the induction of general anaesthesia reduced the incidence of regurgitation and aspiration of gastric contents. One good quality review article, two studies and two abstracts provided the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated (table 1). It is concluded that although there is a theoretical advantage to providing cricoid pressure during induction, there is little evidence of any benefit at this time.
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A short cut review was carried out to establish the administration of an alpha-1 receptor antagonist or a calcium channel blocker would facilitate the most rapid and successful expulsion of a stone from a patient with uncomplicated renal colic. 597 articles were found using the reported search, of which five trials were selected as providing the best evidence to answer this question. The authors, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. It is concluded that in a patient with an uncomplicated ureteric calculus tamsulosin is more effective than nifedipine in promoting speedy and successful expulsion of the stone.
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A short-cut review was carried out to establish whether the administration of dexamethasone reduced the risk of recurrence of migraine headaches at 24 h. Three hundred and fifteen articles were found using the reported search including two systematic reviews and meta-analyses. ⋯ The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated (table 2). It is concluded that the administration of dexamethasone reduces the risk of recurrence at 24 h in patients presenting to an emergency department with a migraine headache.
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Review Meta Analysis
Safety profile and outcome of mild therapeutic hypothermia in patients following cardiac arrest: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Evidence has shown that mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) could improve survival and neurological outcome in patients following cardiac arrest. But this therapy may cause some adverse effects. The authors sought to take a systematic approach to describe the safety aspects and outcome of MTH following cardiac arrest to help clinical practice. ⋯ Evidence about the safety of MTH in children has been limited. These results suggest that while it may result in some adverse events, MTH is generally safe in patients following cardiac arrest and could improve the short-term and long-term survival of comatose patients after cardiac arrest. But awareness of these adverse events should be kept in mind in clinical practice.
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A short-cut review was carried out to establish whether the finding of a normal cranial CT scan, in a child with a history of minor head injury, a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score of 15 and normal neurological examination could facilitate safe discharge from hospital. Ninety-eight articles were found using the reported search and a further two papers were found from the references of selected papers. ⋯ The authors, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated (table 3). It is concluded that in the absence of any coagulation problems, a child who presents following a minor head injury with a GCS of 15, normal neurological examination and a normal CT scan can be safely discharged to the care of a capable parent.