Annals of emergency medicine
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We hypothesized that the addition of aminophylline to Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) interventions would improve the initial resuscitation success rate in an animal model of prolonged cardiac arrest. ⋯ Addition of aminophylline to standard ACLS interventions did not increase the incidence of ROSC or the 1-hour survival rate in a swine model of prolonged cardiac arrest.
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To determine the prevalence of domestic violence (DV) for male and female ED patients and to determine the demographics of DV. ⋯ Using a validated scale, we found that the prevalences of physical DV for men and women are high and that they are not statistically different in this population. Using chi 2 testing, we found that women had experienced significantly more past nonphysical violence than men; using logistic regression we found that they experienced significantly more nonphysical violence (both past and present) than men. DV was frequently associated with suicidal ideation, alcohol use, and family history of violence.
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Comparative Study
Analysis of parental estimates of children's weights in the ED.
To assess the ability of parents to estimate their children's weight. ⋯ In 80% of cases, the parental estimate of the child's weight was within 10% of the measured weight. The parental estimate was more accurate than the formula-derived weight.
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To test the feasibility and effectiveness of Project ASSERT, an innovative program developed by us to facilitate access to the substance abuse treatment system and to primary care and preventive services for emergency department patients with drug- and alcohol-related health problems. ⋯ Project ASSERT is an innovative approach to link ED patients with the substance abuse treatment system and with primary care and other preventive services. Its success is further demonstrated by its adoption by Boston Medical Center as a funded ED value-added service.
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We present a case of acute asymmetric angioneurotic edema associated with the use of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) for acute ischemic stroke. rtPA was administered for an acute ischemic stroke in accordance with the recently reported National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke protocol, after which marked asymmetric angioedema requiring upper-airway control developed. Although atypical and anaphylactoid reactions have been reported with the use of rtPA for acute myocardial infarction, to our knowledge this is the first case report of asymmetric angioedema associated with the use of rtPA for acute ischemic stroke.