Annals of emergency medicine
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Two hundred consecutive cases brought to the attention of a malpractice insurer by evidence of expected legal action were reviewed. Of these cases, 132 (66%) were attributed primarily to misdiagnosis, and 87 of these would have satisfied admission criteria. The most common error was grossly deficient examination relating to the chief complaint. Focused attention to physical examination and diagnostic skills, history taking, and minimal use of laboratory studies could have avoided the initiation of the majority of cases.
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A study was done to assess the effect of open-chest massage on resuscitation from cardiac arrest. Ten mongrel dogs weighing 20.3 +/- 3.2 kg were fibrillated electrically. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated and continued for 15 minutes. ⋯ Four of the five dogs that underwent open cardiac massage were resuscitated. Significant differences in aortic pressures and coronary perfusion pressures were noted for the first two minutes of open-chest massage (P less than .05). The results of this study indicate that resuscitation may be improved using open-chest massage when closed-chest massage fails to produce an adequate coronary perfusion pressure.
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Maintaining an unobstructed airway and providing adequate oxygenation and CO2 elimination, by artificial means if necessary, are among the highest priorities in all life-threatening circumstances. How this goal can best be met in the prehospital setting has become a controversial issue. The esophageal obturator airway (EOA) frequently is used in the prehospital setting, but its use and effectiveness recently have been criticized. ⋯ Many perceived EOA problems are due to poor mask fit and can be rectified. Although endotracheal intubation is the accepted standard for airway management in the apneic patient, its limitations in the prehospital setting are many. These utilization problems and complications remain undefined and must be addressed.
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As a result of many investigations, the role of adrenergic drugs in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been identified, but the choice of drug and drug dosage are yet to be defined. It has been suggested that the successful return of circulation following cardiac arrest is linked with the ability to achieve a diastolic arterial pressure of 30 to 40 mm Hg. Since the turn of this century, the addition of epinephrine to resuscitation procedures has been shown to increase greatly diastolic arterial pressures and resuscitation success. ⋯ To date, drug dosage has been largely empirical. During CPR other factors play a role in drug effectiveness, including the injection site, rate of blood flow, and current metabolic status. Because the early use of effective alpha agonists can improve survival, the search for the best drug, via the best route and at the best dosage deserves additional investigation.
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The oncology patient can experience medical or surgical emergencies as a result of effects of the primary tumor, metastases, or systemic effects of the disease. Emergencies unrelated to the primary oncologic diagnosis, such as acute myocardial infarction, drug overdose, or gastrointestinal hemorrhage, also may occur. ⋯ We review the major oncologic-related emergencies, including central nervous system and spinal cord compression, airway obstruction, cardiac tamponade, gastrointestinal obstruction, adrenal insufficiency and hypercalcemia, sepsis, and coagulopathies. Medical and surgical emergencies in the oncology patient should be treated aggressively in the emergency department because a determination about the quality of life of the patient, or the reversibility of the acute process, often cannot be answered quickly in the emergency setting.