Annals of emergency medicine
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To assess the effects of simulated mouth-to-mouth (MTM) ventilation on blood gases, gas exchange, and minute ventilation during external cardiac compression (ECC) or active compression-decompression (ACD) in a swine model of witnessed cardiac arrest and bystander CPR. ⋯ In this swine model of witnessed CPR, simulated MTM ventilation was not beneficial for blood gases, gas exchange, or ventilation during ECC or ACD CPR.
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Flecainide toxicity can impair cardiac function and precipitate circulatory collapse, which in turn depresses clearance and redistribution of flecainide. Treatment directed at improving cardiac function is often ineffective in the presence of persistently increased flecainide levels. We report a novel approach to severe flecainide overdose using peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass support (CBS) to maintain perfusion of the liver, thereby allowing clearance of the drug. ⋯ Effective cardiac rhythm and blood pressure returned. CBS successfully supported this patient until the flecainide level decreased as a result of redistribution and normal clearance mechanisms. Unfortunately, because of severe neurologic damage sustained at the time of overdose, the patient died 4 days after admission.
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To describe the clinical course of a cohort of patients presenting to the emergency department with acute crack cocaine body-stuffer syndrome. ⋯ Mild cocaine intoxication is common in crack cocaine body stuffers, with seizures occurring within 2 hours of ingestion in a small percentage of patients.
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To evaluate the hemodynamic response to transcutaneous pacing (TCP) during rewarming from hypothermia. ⋯ TCP is safe, effective and easily implemented in dogs. In this small series of dogs, TCP restored and maintained hemodynamic stability and allowed the hypothermic animals to rewarm in half the time required by their nonpaced counterparts.