Articles: trauma.
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Extensive hemorrhage is the leading cause of death in the first few hours following multiple traumas. Therefore, early and aggressive treatment of clotting disorders could reduce mortality. Unfortunately, the availability of results from commonly performed blood coagulation studies are often delayed whereas hemoglobin (Hb) levels are quickly available. ⋯ An Hb-driven algorithm, in combination with the "coagulation box" and the early use of clotting factors, could be a simple and effective tool for improving coagulopathy in multiple trauma patients.
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Several methods have been proposed to evaluate neurological outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. Blood lactate has been recognized as a reliable prognostic marker for trauma, sepsis, or cardiac arrest. The objective of this study was to examine the association between initial lactate level or lactate clearance and neurologic outcome in OHCA survivors who were treated with therapeutic hypothermia. ⋯ The lactate clearance rate, and not the initial lactate level, was associated with neurological outcome in OHCA patients after therapeutic hypothermia.
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To determine the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)-guided corticosteroid injection in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. ⋯ A single US-guided injection of dexamethasone reduced pain in plantar fasciitis at 4 weeks, without complications. Dexamethasone was effective in reducing plantar fascia swelling throughout the 12 weeks. Pain and swelling of the fascia subsided in both groups.