Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2017
Review Meta AnalysisSystematic review and meta-analysis of first-pass success rates in emergency department intubation: Creating a benchmark for emergency airway care.
Many EDs have begun to evaluate their airway performance. The first-pass success (FPS) rate is a commonly used marker of proficiency, and has been associated with rates of adverse events. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to quantify the ED FPS rates and summarise the rates of adverse events associated with endotracheal intubation. ⋯ Research published in the last 16 years shows a mean ED FPS rate of 84.1%. This represents the best available published data that can be used to benchmark emergency airway performance.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2017
ReviewReview article: Role of magnesium sulphate in the management of Irukandji syndrome: A systematic review.
Signs of Irukandji syndrome (IS) suggest an underlying catecholamine storm with research demonstrating that Carukia barnesi venom causes a significant rise in adrenaline/noradrenaline serum levels. A systematic review was undertaken to ascertain the current evidence in treating IS with magnesium salts. A literature search was conducted using Scopus, Medline and ScienceDirect. ⋯ Two case series describe significant reduction in key symptoms and hypertension but are a non-randomised albeit prospective series with the limitations accompanying this. The reporting of recrudescence of symptoms with reduction of dose does suggest a dose-response relationship. The evidence for the use of MgSO4 is at best anecdotal, and further research is required to either confirm its benefit or confirm the randomised controlled trial.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2017
Incidence, characteristics and survival outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in children and adolescents between 1997 and 2014 in Perth, Western Australia.
The present study was to describe the trends in the incidence, characteristics and survival of paediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) over an 18 year period. ⋯ The incidence of paediatric OHCA decreased over time, but survival remained poor. Strategies to strengthen the chain of survival for paediatric OHCA need to be considered.